CBH TALK - Black is Beautiful: 60th Anniversary of the Transformative Fashion Show, "Naturally ‘62"
Join the Center for Brooklyn History as we commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Naturally ‘62 fashion show. This groundbreaking 1962 event featured Black models (referred to as Grandassa Models) who rejected Western ideals of beauty and helped advance the Black is Beautiful cultural movement. Original Grandassa Models Queen Black Rose and Barbara “Adzua” Solomon; and Bob Gumbs, graphic designer and original member of the African Jazz-Art Society & Studios (organizers of the Naturally ‘62 show) discuss the power of fashion to represent Black lives, challenge false narratives, and ignite change. The event is moderated and guest curated by Souleo.
Photo by Kwame Brathwaite. Queen Black Rose at the Renaissance Casino Ballroom, Harlem, ca. 1966.
Click here to submit a photo of yourself in the spirit of Naturally ‘62 or an image of what Black is Beautiful means to you. Submissions are requested 48 hours before the event. Select images will be shared during the event.
Participants
Queen Black Rose is the “goddess of African culture” and one of the original Grandassa Models. She established two Black Rose African Beauty Centers in Harlem (circa 1966-1970) and one in Nigeria (circa 1979-1982). She currently continues her role as the originator of the specialization of the diversity of African ancestral crowns/hairstyles, teaches African sociology, and is an active Grandassa Model.
Barbara “Adzua” Solomon is an original Grandassa Model, founder of Adzua Art Associates, and author of the Princess Kamala series. She is a former dance teacher at Manhattan Community College. For the past several years she has dedicated her work to creating animated children’s books with storylines that share valuable and empowering lessons from precolonial Africa.
Bob Gumbs is a graphic designer, photographer, artist, author, and original member of the African Jazz-Art Society & Studios (organizers of the Naturally ‘62 show). Gumbs created the iconic “Black is Beautiful” poster.
Souleo curates entertaining and informative events, exhibitions, and cultural programs. Souleo has collaborated with noteworthy institutions and brands, including the New York Public Library, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, the Museum of Arts and Design, Columbia University, Barnard College, Newark Museum of Art, Stax Museum of American Soul Music, Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art, and AARP. Souleo's work has been widely covered in outlets including the Associated Press, NY Times, The New Yorker, NBC, and more. For more information: SouleoUniverse.com or IG: @souleouniverse
Join the Center for Brooklyn History as we commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Naturally ‘62 fashion show. This groundbreaking 1962 event featured Black models (referred to as Grandassa Models) who rejected Western ideals of beauty and helped advance the Black is Beautiful cultural movement. Original Grandassa Models Queen Black Rose and Barbara “Adzua” Solomon; and Bob Gumbs, graphic designer and original member of the African Jazz-Art Society & Studios (organizers of the Naturally ‘62 show) discuss the power of fashion to represent Black lives, challenge false narratives, and ignite change. The event is moderated and guest curated by Souleo.
Photo by Kwame Brathwaite. Queen Black Rose at the Renaissance Casino Ballroom, Harlem, ca. 1966.
Click here to submit a photo of yourself in the spirit of Naturally ‘62 or an image of what Black is Beautiful means to you. Submissions are requested 48 hours before the event. Select images will be shared during the event.
Participants
Queen Black Rose is the “goddess of African culture” and one of the original Grandassa Models. She established two Black Rose African Beauty Centers in Harlem (circa 1966-1970) and one in Nigeria (circa 1979-1982). She currently continues her role as the originator of the specialization of the diversity of African ancestral crowns/hairstyles, teaches African sociology, and is an active Grandassa Model.
Barbara “Adzua” Solomon is an original Grandassa Model, founder of Adzua Art Associates, and author of the Princess Kamala series. She is a former dance teacher at Manhattan Community College. For the past several years she has dedicated her work to creating animated children’s books with storylines that share valuable and empowering lessons from precolonial Africa.
Bob Gumbs is a graphic designer, photographer, artist, author, and original member of the African Jazz-Art Society & Studios (organizers of the Naturally ‘62 show). Gumbs created the iconic “Black is Beautiful” poster.
Souleo curates entertaining and informative events, exhibitions, and cultural programs. Souleo has collaborated with noteworthy institutions and brands, including the New York Public Library, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, the Museum of Arts and Design, Columbia University, Barnard College, Newark Museum of Art, Stax Museum of American Soul Music, Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art, and AARP. Souleo's work has been widely covered in outlets including the Associated Press, NY Times, The New Yorker, NBC, and more. For more information: SouleoUniverse.com or IG: @souleouniverse