Grandassa Models collection

id
11260
origination
Grandassa Models (Firm)
date statement
1963-1968
key date
1963
identifier (local_mss)
25641
org unit
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division
call number
Sc MG 822
b-number
b19949763
total components
0
total series
0
max depth
N/A
boost queries
(none)
component layout
Default Layout
Extended MARC Fields
false
Extended Navigation
false
created
2020-11-03 22:22:44 UTC
updated
2026-06-26 18:11:21 UTC
status note
(missing)
Display Aeon link
true

Description data TOP

unitid
{"value"=>"25641", "type"=>"local_mss"}
{"value"=>"Sc MG 822", "type"=>"local_call"}
{"value"=>"b19949763", "type"=>"local_b"}
unitdate
{"value"=>"1963-1968", "type"=>"inclusive", "normal"=>"1963/1968"}
unittitle
{"value"=>"Grandassa Models collection"}
physdesc
{"format"=>"structured", "physdesc_components"=>[{"name"=>"extent", "value"=>"1 folder", "unit"=>"containers"}, {"name"=>"extent", "value"=>"0.01 linear feet", "unit"=>"linear_feet"}]}
repository
{"value"=>"<span class=\"corpname\">Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division</span>"}
langmaterial
{"value"=>"English"}
origination
{"value"=>"Grandassa Models (Firm)", "type"=>"corpname"}
bioghist
{"value"=>"<p>The Grandassa Models were a group of African American female models whose Afrocentric fashion shows were instrumental in promoting the \"Black Is Beautiful\" slogan. The fashion shows were created and produced by the African Jazz-Art Society and Studios (AJASS), an organization founded in 1956 by a group of young artists, designers, and jazz lovers. These shows emphasized natural hairstyles, particularly the Afro, as well as Afrocentric clothing and jewelry, and were held in various cities in the United States until 1980 and during ten-year intervals from 1982. AJASS also produced jazz concerts coupled with art exhibitions and cultural presentations that incorporated African nationalist themes. The productions, which started in Harlem, are considered to be the beginning of the Black Arts Movement.</p> <p>AJASS organizers, the writer and activist Elombe Brath, his brother Kwame Brathwaite, the photographer, and others produced the \"Naturally '62\" show with the Grandassa Models, subtitled \"the original African coiffure and fashion extravaganza designed to restore our racial pride and standards\".</p>"}
scopecontent
{"value"=>"<p>The Grandassa Models Collection consists of printed material regarding the formation of fashion shows that featured these models and included African dancers and theatrical performances. Included are flyers, brochures, and posters that promoted the fashion shows and also featured the AJSASS Repertory Theatre and the Dinizulu African Dance Company. In the collection are two booklets published by AJASS, the \"Naturally '63 Portfolio\" and \"Color Us Cullud! The Official American Negro Leadership Coloring Book\" (late 1963) by Cecil Elombe Brath, which was critical of most of the civil rights leaders at that time.</p>", "supress_display"=>true}
acqinfo
{"value"=>"<p>Gift from unknown donor.</p>"}
revisiondesc
{"value"=>"Finding aid updated by Lauren Stark.", "date"=>"2020 November 9"}
date_start
1963
keydate
1963
date_end
1968
date_inclusive_start
1963
date_inclusive_end
1968
extent_statement
0.01 linear feet (1 folder)
prefercite
{"value"=>"[Item], Grandassa Models collection, Sc MG 822, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division, The New York Public Library"}
abstract
{"value"=>" The Grandassa Models Collection consists of printed material regarding the formation of fashion shows that featured these models and included African dancers and theatrical performances. Included are flyers, brochures, and posters that promoted the fashion shows and also featured the AJSASS Repertory Theatre and the Dinizulu African Dance Company. In the collection are two booklets published by AJASS, the \"Naturally '63 Portfolio\" and \"Color Us Cullud! The Official American Negro Leadership Coloring Book\" (late 1963) by Cecil Elombe Brath, which was critical of most of the civil rights leaders at that time.", "generated"=>true}

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504eb530-c85e-013c-e35b-0242ac110004  (1)

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