Jesse Williams Joins ‘Black Is Beautiful: The Kwame Brathwaite Story’ as Executive Producer
Jesse Williams Joins Documentary on Kwame Brathwaite’s Legacy
Actor Jesse Williams has joined the production team of the documentary Black Is Beautiful: The Kwame Brathwaite Story, serving as an Executive Producer. The film is a collaboration between Wayfarer Studios, Misfits Entertainment, and Mediawan.
Williams joins a notable lineup that includes musician Alicia Keys and producer Kasseem “Swizz Beatz” Dean. UTA is overseeing North American sales for the documentary, while Mediawan Rights is managing international distribution.
Directed by Yemi Bamiro, Black Is Beautiful: The Kwame Brathwaite Story chronicles the life and work of photographer and activist Kwame Brathwaite. A key figure in the “Black Is Beautiful” movement, Brathwaite began capturing the essence of African American identity in Harlem during the 1950s, continuing until his death in 2023. Throughout his career, he photographed a diverse range of subjects—from everyday individuals to celebrated icons such as Stevie Wonder, Muhammad Ali, and Nina Simone—amassing over half a million images that showcase the intersections of fashion, activism, music, and art.
Reflecting on Brathwaite’s impact, Williams stated, “The work of Kwame Brathwaite sits atop an expanded definition of activism. He showed us that affirming Black beauty, archiving our truth and culture while shaping how we see ourselves in time, is also resistance. That’s why I joined this incredible filmmaking team; cultural work is forever frontline work that doesn’t just challenge aesthetics, it challenges power. Together, we can amplify a legacy that carries our narrative forward by highlighting its foundation.”
In addition to his role in this documentary, Williams is currently filming the fifth season of Apple TV’s award-winning series The Morning Show, where he stars alongside Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon. He has gained recognition for his Broadway debut in Take Me Out, earning a Tony nomination in 2022, and has appeared in various notable projects including Amazon Prime’s Hotel Costiera and Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building.
Joining Williams as Executive Producers are Wayfarer Studios’ CEO Jamey Heath, Misfits Entertainment’s Andee Ryder, Robin Bronk representing The Creative Coalition, and representatives from The Kwame Brathwaite Archive. The production team also includes Andrew Calof from Wayfarer Studios and Joanna Boateng, Ian Bonhôte, and Lizzie Gillett from Misfits and Mediawan Rights.
