Philippe Wamba facts for kids

Philippe Wamba (born June 3, 1971 – died September 11, 2002) was an American editor and writer. He was known for bringing together ideas from African and African-American cultures in his work.

Philippe Wamba's Early Life

Philippe Wamba was born in California, USA. His mother, Elaine Brown Wamba, was American. His father, Ernest Wamba dia Wamba, was a professor and rebel leader from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Philippe grew up in different places, including Boston, Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, and New Mexico. He went to Harvard University for his first degree. Later, he studied at Columbia University.

Philippe Wamba's Career as a Writer

Philippe Wamba worked on many writing and publishing projects. He became the Editor-in-chief of an online magazine called Africana.com. This magazine is no longer active.

In 1999, he wrote a book about his own life called Kinship: A Family's Journey in Africa and America. The New York Times Magazine wrote about him. His book also received good reviews from others.

Philippe Wamba's Legacy

Philippe Wamba died in a car accident in Kenya. He was there doing research on youth groups in Africa.

After his death, the Harvard African Students Alumni Network planned to raise money in his memory. They wanted to help improve traffic safety in Africa. Henry Louis Gates Jr., a mentor who supported Wamba's book, spoke at his funeral. He said, "Philippe lived on no man's hyphen," meaning Wamba was truly himself, connecting different cultures.