In 1950s Harlem, the neighborhood’s black population reached its peak. White locals departed for suburban sprawl, better schools, and more safety; a decade later, the black middle class followed suit. Those who stayed faced the effects of organized crime, widespread use of heroin, poor education, and inadequate housing. In spite of these hurdles, the people were vibrant and creative with their street fashion and art. The photographer Kwame Brathwaite experienced this nexus of Harlem living, and sought to immortalize its beauty, which was all but invisible from the perspective of major media outlets.
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