Zinzi Clemmons facts for kids

Zinzi Clemmons (born in 1985) is an American writer. She is well-known for her first novel, What We Lose, which came out in 2017.

About Zinzi Clemmons

Zinzi Clemmons was born in 1985. Her mother was from South Africa and had a mixed background. Her father was African-American and grew up in New York. Zinzi spent her childhood in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania. She also spent her summers in South Africa. The famous rapper Phife Dawg, from the group A Tribe Called Quest, was her cousin.

Education and Early Life

Clemmons went to Brown University for her college studies. There, she focused on critical theory, which is a way of looking at how power and society work. Later, she earned a special degree called an MFA in fiction from Columbia University. This degree helps writers improve their skills.

In 2012, Zinzi moved back home. She took a break from writing a novel to care for her mother. Her mother was very sick with cancer. Zinzi started writing a diary about this time. These diary entries later became part of her first novel.

Today, Zinzi Clemmons is married to André Naffis-Sahely. He is a poet and a translator. They live in Culver City, California, which is close to Los Angeles.

Zinzi Clemmons's Writing Career

While she was still studying at Columbia, Clemmons started an online magazine. It was called Apogee. This magazine focused on art that explored ideas about identity.

Her First Novel: What We Lose

Clemmons's first novel, What We Lose, was published in 2017. It was released by Viking, a well-known publisher. The book was inspired by Zinzi's own experiences. It was about being the main person caring for her mother when she passed away from cancer.

Critics described the book as very creative and unique. It was told through short, personal stories. These stories included things like blog posts, photos, drawings, and even hip-hop lyrics. Vogue magazine called What We Lose the best first novel of that year. Many people praised the book for its fresh style and deep themes.

Awards and Recognition

In 2017, the National Book Foundation recognized Clemmons. They put her on their annual "5 Under 35" list. This list highlights five talented young writers. Angela Flournoy, another respected writer, chose her for this honor.

Also in 2017, Clemmons made a public statement. She announced she would no longer write for an online publication called Lenny Letter. She also asked other women of color to join her. This was because she disagreed with how the publication's founder handled a serious issue involving a coworker.

Awards for What We Lose

Published Works

• What We Lose (2017)
• Well-Read Black Girl: Finding Our Stories, Discovering Ourselves, edited by Glory Edim (2018)