Philippe Wamba | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 3, 1971 California, USA |
| Died | September 11, 2002(2002-09-11) (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[citation needed].
Wamba was born in California to Elaine Brown Wamba andErnest Wamba dia Wamba, an American mother and aCongolese professor-turned-rebel father. He grew up inBoston,Dar es Salaam, andNew Mexico. He studied atHarvard University as an undergraduate, then atColumbia University.[1]
Wamba worked on a variety of writing and publishing projects, culminating in his service as Editor-in-chief of the now defunct online magazineAfricana.com. In 1999 he published a memoir entitledKinship: A Family's Journey in Africa and America. Wamba was profiled in theNew York Times Magazine and the book received some positive reviews.[2]
Wamba died in a car accident inKenya 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."
