The African Jazz-Art Society & Studio
*The African Jazz-Art Society & Studio (AJASS) was formed on this date in 1956. It was initially called the Jazz-Art Society and later remained the African Jazz-Art Society & Studios.
The organizers were young African American artists, designers, musicians, hairdressers, writers, and jazz enthusiasts. Elombe Brath, Kwame Brathwaite, Robert Gumbs, Afrank Adu, Chris Acemandese Hall, David K. Ward, Ernest Baxter, and Jimmy Abu Williams produced jazz concerts, art exhibitions, and cultural events. The concerts featured many artists who later became famous, such as Lou Donaldson, Jackie McLean, Gigi Gryce, Johnny Griffin, Cannonball Adderley, Hank Mobley, Junior Cook, Art Taylor, Philly Joe Jones, Betty Carter, Leon Thomas, Wilbur Ware, and others.
In 1962, AJASS and Grandassa Models held a fashion show in the basement of the Harlem nightclub Purple Manor. The show was called "Naturally 62" and was one of the first to feature amateur models whose hair was natural and dark skin. They were also a part of the Black Arts Movement in Harlem. In 1963, AJASS created The Black Standard Publishing Company, publishing two booklets: "Naturally '63 Portfolio and "Color Us Cullud," the AJASS theater company. AJASS held "Naturally" beautiful shows regularly through the 1980s and then ten-year anniversaries until 2002.
In 2018, in Harlem, the Elombe Brath Foundation and the Harlem Arts Alliance presented a tribute to the Grandassa Models as the pioneers of the "Black is Beautiful" movement. They attracted African American females who represented their "Black is Beautiful" standards and were part of the Black is Beautiful movement from 1962 to 1979. The Grandassa Models were a part of the "Miss Natural Standard of Beauty Contests" based in Harlem, New York City, and were hosted each year on Marcus Garvey Day, August 17.
To become a jeweler, seamstress, textile/fine artist
To be an Artist
To Become a Dancer and Choreographer
To Become a Designer
To become an Art Director
