Philippe Wamba

Philippe Wamba
Born	June 3, 1971 California, USA
Died	September 11, 2002 (aged 31) Kenya
Occupation	Editor and writer

Philippe Wamba (June 3, 1971 – September 11, 2002) was an African-American editor and writer known for his fusion of African and African-American culture.

Early life

Wamba was born in California to Elaine Brown Wamba and Ernest Wamba dia Wamba, an American mother and a Congolese professor-turned-rebel father. He grew up in Boston, Dar es Salaam, and New Mexico. He studied at Harvard University as an undergraduate, then at Columbia University.^[1]

Career

Wamba worked on a variety of writing and publishing projects, culminating in his service as Editor-in-chief of the now defunct online magazine Africana.com. In 1999 he published a memoir entitled Kinship: A Family's Journey in Africa and America. Wamba was profiled in the New York Times Magazine and the book received some positive reviews.^[2]

Death

Wamba died in a car accident in Kenya while conducting research on African youth movements. The Harvard African Students Alumni Network announced plans to raise funds in his memory to promote traffic safety in Africa.^[3]Henry Louis Gates, a mentor who helped promote Wamba's memoir, said at his funeral, "Philippe lived on no man's hyphen."

References

1. Kinship: A Family's Journey in Africa and America, Dutton/Penguin, 1999.
2. The NY Times Magazine website, accessed January 5, 2013.
3. "Philippe Wamba, African and African American, Dead at 31". Maynard Institute website, accessed January 5, 2013.