Bebe Moore Campbell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bebe Moore Campbell
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Bebe Moore Campbell
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| Born |
Elizabeth Bebe Moore
February 18, 1950 |
| Died | November 27, 2006 (aged 56) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
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| Resting place | Inglewood Park Cemetery (Inglewood, California) |
| Alma mater | University of Pittsburgh |
| Occupation |
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| Years active | 1972–2006 |
| Spouse(s) |
Ellis Gordon Jr.
(m. 1984–2006) |
| Children | 2, including Maia Campbell |
Bebe Moore Campbell (born February 18, 1950 – died November 27, 2006) was an American author, journalist, and teacher. She wrote many popular books, including three that became New York Times bestsellers: Brothers and Sisters, Singing in the Comeback Choir, and What You Owe Me. Her book What You Owe Me was also named a "Best Book of 2001" by the Los Angeles Times. Bebe Moore Campbell's stories often explored how people's lives are affected by important social issues.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Bebe Moore Campbell was born Elizabeth Bebe Moore in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was an only child and grew up in Philadelphia. She went to the Philadelphia High School for Girls. Later, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education from the University of Pittsburgh. She was also an honorary member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.
Writing Career and Themes
Bebe Moore Campbell's novels often showed how racism affected people and their relationships. Her first novel, Your Blues Ain't Like Mine, came out in 1992. It was inspired by a sad event that happened in 1955. This book was called one of the most important books of 1992 by The New York Times Magazine. It also won an award from the NAACP.
In 1994, Campbell released her second novel, Brothers and Sisters. This book was inspired by social events in Los Angeles at the time. It became a The New York Times Magazine bestseller just two weeks after it was released.
Campbell was also very interested in mental health. This led her to write her first children's book, Sometimes My Mommy Gets Angry, published in 2003. This book won an award from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). It tells the story of a young girl living with her mother who has a mental illness. Bebe Moore Campbell was a member of NAMI and helped start NAMI-Inglewood. Her novel 72 Hour Hold also talks about mental illness.
As a journalist, Campbell wrote articles for many well-known publications. These included The New York Times Magazine, The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Essence, Ebony, and Black Enterprise. She also often shared her thoughts on Morning Edition, a radio program on National Public Radio.
Personal Life and Legacy
Bebe Moore Campbell lived in Los Angeles, California, with her husband, Ellis Gordon Jr. They raised two children together: a son named Ellis Gordon III, and a daughter named Maia Campbell. Maia Campbell is an actress, known for her role as "Tiffany" on the TV show In the House.
Bebe Moore Campbell passed away on November 27, 2006, at the age of 56. She died from brain cancer. She was buried at Inglewood Park Cemetery in Inglewood, California. A favorite quote of hers about being a writer was: "Discipline is the servant of inspiration."
Her personal writings and documents are kept at the University of Pittsburgh Archives Service Center.
Selected Books
Novels
- Your Blues Ain't like Mine (1992)
- Brothers and Sisters (1994)
- Singing in the Comeback Choir (1998)
- What You Owe Me (2001)
- 72 Hour Hold (2005)
Children's Books
- Sometimes My Mommy Gets Angry (2003)
- Stompin' at the Savoy (2006)
Non-Fiction Books
- Successful Women, Angry Men: Backlash in the Two-Career Marriage (1986)
- Sweet Summer: Growing Up with and without My Dad (1989)
