Emil Wilbekin

Wilbekin was adopted into a Black family of legal professionals in Cincinnati as a baby. His father, Harvey Earl Wilbekin, became an attorney after working as a structural engineer, while his mother, Dr. Cleota P. Wilbekin, went from working as a sociologist and an attorney to becoming a law judge for the State of Ohio Department of Human Services.{{Cite news|last=Nemy|first=Enid|date=May 6, 1983|title=Wives of Lawyers Aid Harlem Youths|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1983/05/06/style/wives-of-lawyers-aid-harlem-youths.html|access-date=December 22, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}{{Cite web|last=Armstrong|first=Kimberly|title=Attorney Cleota Wilbekin remembered for needlework, drive for excellence|url=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/history/lives-remembered/2017/06/21/attorney-cleota-wilbekin-remembered-needlework-drive-excellence/413247001/|access-date=December 22, 2020|website=The Enquirer}} Along with his older brother Erik, the family lived a comfortable life.

Wilbekin attended college at Hampton University where he served as editor-in-chief of Hampton Script, the school's newspaper.{{Cite web|first=Sean|last=Somerville|title=HU Officials Take Steps to Prevent Crime on Campus|url=https://www.dailypress.com/news/dp-xpm-19890508-1989-05-08-8905080098-story.html|access-date=December 22, 2020|website=dailypress.com|date=May 8, 1989 }} After graduating in 1989 with a B.S. in mass media arts, Wilbekin attended Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism where he attained an M.S. in journalism in 1990.{{Cite web|title=Emil Wilbekin's Biography|url=https://www.thehistorymakers.org/biography/emil-wilbekin|access-date=December 22, 2020|website=The HistoryMakers}}

Wilbekin spent his first two years out of grad school as a freelance journalist writing for New York Times, Chicago Tribune, Metropolitan Home, Los Angeles Times, and Associated Press.{{Cite news|last=Wilbekin|first=Emil|date=April 21, 1991|title=World War II's Black Pilots Fought on Two Fronts|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/04/21/archives/theater-world-war-iis-black-pilots-fought-on-two-fronts.html|access-date=December 22, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}{{Cite web|last=Wilbekin|first=Emil|title=My Flare Ladies|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1993-01-06-9303170762-story.html|access-date=December 22, 2020|website=chicagotribune.com|date=January 6, 1993 }}{{Cite web|last=Wilbekin|first=Emil|title=Domesticity on Display|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1991-09-29-9103140409-story.html|access-date=December 22, 2020|website=chicagotribune.com|date=September 29, 1991 }}{{Cite web|last=Wilbekin|first=Emil|date=March 1, 1992|title=Traveling In Style: Side Trips: My Hometown|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-03-01-tm-5676-story.html|access-date=December 22, 2020|website=Los Angeles Times}} In 1992, while vacationing with four friends in the Hamptons—Jonathan Van Meter, Diane Cardwell, Ricky Lee, and Gilbert Rogin—Wilbekin participated in developing ideas for a magazine dedicated to covering hip-hop music and Black culture. After acquiring Quincy Jones' backing, that idea was brought to life as Vibe magazine with Wilbekin serving as one of the publication's first editors.{{Cite news|last=Mills|first=David|date=September 14, 1992|title=The Corporate Hip-Hop Hope|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1992/09/14/the-corporate-hip-hop-hope/bac7d491-0b11-47bf-b361-8e44940a9e80/|access-date=13 November 2022}}

Wilbekin began his tenure at Vibe working on its "Next" section, focusing primarily on music, with his first cover story featuring Mary J. Blige.{{Cite magazine|last=|first=|date=|title='We Changed Culture': An Oral History of Vibe Magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8477004/vibe-magazine-oral-history|access-date=December 22, 2020|magazine=Billboard}} He was promoted to style editor in 1995 and made the magazine's fashion editorial director in 1997.{{Cite web|date=October 24, 1997|title=Ethic Mags Take the Street-to-Chic Route – Coverager Runs the Gamut from Wearable...|url=https://wwd.com/fashion-news/fashion-features/article-1116977/|access-date=December 22, 2020|website=WWD}} In July 1999, he became the fashion editorial director of Vibe{{'s}} two sister publications, Spin and Blaze, as well.{{Cite web|last=Moore|first=Beth|date=July 9, 1997|title=Cutting-Edge Clothes and Music at Ritual Expos|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-jul-09-cl-54193-story.html|access-date=December 22, 2020|website=Los Angeles Times}} The next month, Danyel Smith departed to join Time magazine, and Wilbekin was promoted to editor-in-chief of Vibe.{{citation needed|date=June 2023}} Throughout the year 2000, he oversaw expansion of readership and the creation of the magazine's supplemental focused solely on women called HomeGirls.{{Cite web|last=Bradley|first=Alison|title=Media Profile: Buzz and a fresh angle keep Vibe a mainstay of urban culture|url=http://www.prweek.com/article/1248279/media-profile-buzz-fresh-angle-keep-vibe-mainstay-urban-culture|access-date=December 24, 2020|website=www.prweek.com}}{{Cite web|date=August 10, 2000|title=Hanging With My Homegirlvibe Magazine Launches Its First Supplement Dedicated..|url=https://wwd.com/fashion-news/fashion-features/article-1198047/|access-date=December 22, 2020|website=WWD}} That year, he was noted for bridging the gap between hip-hop and its previously ignored gay fan base by including stories about the community within the magazine. Wilbekin also confronted homophobia in the art form by making sure that Dr. Dre and Eminem addressed their homophobic lyrics when they appeared on the September 2000 cover of Vibe. In a 2001 interview with New York magazine, Wilbekin emphasized that his job was not to police rappers over their comments about the gay community but "to make sure that homosexuality is dealt with as fairly as anything else."{{Cite web|title=Power Outage - Nymag|url=https://nymag.com/nymetro/urban/gay/features/4425/|access-date=December 23, 2020|website=New York|date=March 5, 2001 }}

Under his direction, Vibe was nominated for the 2001 National Magazine Award (AKA "The Ellie") for best photography.{{Cite web|last=Bing|first=Jonathan|date=March 14, 2001|title=New Yorker nails 11 mag award noms|url=https://variety.com/2001/more/news/new-yorker-nails-11-mag-award-noms-1117795323/|access-date=December 23, 2020|website=Variety}} The following year, Vibe won "The Ellie" for general excellence of magazines circulating between 500,000 and one million readers, beating out competition from The New Yorker, Wired, Gourmet, and Jane for the top prize.{{Cite news|last=Carlson|first=Peter|date=May 2, 2002|title=New Yorker, Atlantic Monthly Lead National Magazine Awards|newspaper=Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/2002/05/02/new-yorker-atlantic-monthly-lead-national-magazine-awards/87373a5b-b9cc-468c-9025-4dc05736856a/|access-date=December 23, 2020|issn=0190-8286}}{{Cite web|last=Oei|first=Lily|date=March 20, 2002|title=New Yorker receives most mag kudo noms|url=https://variety.com/2002/more/news/new-yorker-receives-most-mag-kudo-noms-1117864228/|access-date=December 24, 2020|website=Variety}}{{Cite news|last=Carr|first=David|date=May 2, 2002|title=Magazine Award Winners, if Not Profit Champions |work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/05/02/business/the-media-business-advertising-magazine-award-winners-if-not-profit-champions.html|access-date=December 22, 2020|issn=0362-4331}} The win led to his being named to Out magazine's Out 100 list and being profiled by The New York Times, where he addressed his facing no problems as an openly gay man in the hip-hop industry.{{Cite news|last=Richardson|first=Lynda|date=May 17, 2002|title=Turning Heads (and Pages) in the Magazine World|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/05/17/nyregion/public-lives-turning-heads-and-pages-in-the-magazine-world.html|access-date=December 22, 2020|issn=0362-4331}} He produced the 2003 Vibe Awards, which led to his being promoted to editorial director of Vibe Media's overall operations that September.{{Cite web|date=September 30, 2003|title=Memo Pad: Weird Vibe...New York Minute...A Quest For Length|url=https://wwd.com/business-news/media/memo-pad-weird-vibe-new-york-minute-a-quest-for-length-717101/|access-date=December 22, 2020|website=WWD}}{{Cite web|date=July 16, 2004|title=Memo Pad: Healthy Conflict ... For Your Nose Only ... Beckman Upped ... |url=https://wwd.com/business-news/media/memo-pad-healthy-conflict-for-your-nose-only-beckman-upped-710494/|access-date=December 22, 2020|website=WWD}} After 12 years of service, he departed Vibe in July 2004 to join Marc Ecko's brand as vice president of development and to serve on Complex magazine's editorial board.{{Cite web|last=amNY|title=Thompson honors 8 for '05|url=https://www.amny.com/news/thompson-honors-8-for-05/|access-date=December 22, 2020|website=amNewYork|date=June 21, 2005 }}{{Cite news|last=Caramanica|first=Jon|date=October 17, 2004|title=It's Not Easy Being Pink|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/17/fashion/its-not-easy-being-pink.html|access-date=December 22, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}

Wilbekin joined Giant magazine as editor-in-chief in 2008, then jumped to Essence.com as managing editor in 2009, becoming editor-at-large of Essence magazine in 2012.{{Cite web|date=February 29, 2008|title=Emil Wilbekin Appointed Editor-in-Chief of Giant Magazine; Smokey Fontaine Named as Chief Content Officer|url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20080229005203/en/Emil-Wilbekin-Appointed-Editor-in-Chief-of-GIANT-Magazine-Smokey-Fontaine-Named-as-Chief-Content-Officer|access-date=December 22, 2020|website=www.businesswire.com}}{{Cite web|date=March 6, 2008|title=Giant Switch: Ex-Vibe Editor Hired|url=https://www.foliomag.com/giant-switch-ex-vibe-editor-hired/|access-date=December 22, 2020|website=Folio}}{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=November 18, 2013|title=Trendsetters at Work: Essence Magazine|url=https://www.eonline.com/news/482293/trendsetters-at-work-essence-magazine|access-date=December 22, 2020|website=E! Online}} Part of his contributions to the publication included a column focused on cultural events and interviews with celebrities such as Viola Davis,{{Cite web|title=BWIH Video: Viola Davis on Her Legacy and Inspiration|url=https://www.essence.com/awards-events/red-carpet/video-viola-davis-black-women-in-hollywood-2011/|access-date=December 24, 2020|website=Essence|date=October 29, 2020 }} Angela Bassett,{{Cite web|title=BWIH Video: Angela Bassett on Life, Film and Passion|url=https://www.essence.com/awards-events/red-carpet/angela-bassett-black-women-in-hollywood-2011-video/|access-date=December 24, 2020|website=Essence|date=October 29, 2020 }} Puff Daddy,{{Cite web|title=Five Minutes with Diddy on 'Last Train to Paris'|url=https://www.essence.com/news/diddy-dirty-money-last-train-to-paris-album/|access-date=December 24, 2020|website=Essence|date=October 29, 2020 }} Yolanda Adams,{{Cite web|title=5 Questions for Yolanda Adams on Disney's Dreamers|url=https://www.essence.com/news/5-questions-with-yolanda-adams-on-disney-dreamers-2011/|access-date=December 24, 2020|website=Essence|date=October 29, 2020 }} and Anita Baker.{{Cite web|title=Exclusive: Anita Baker on Drake, Divorce, Janet's Hair|url=https://www.essence.com/news/exclusive-anita-baker/|access-date=December 24, 2020|website=Essence|date=October 29, 2020 }} He also expanded the publication's purview to cover same-gender-loving relationships within the Black community.{{Cite web|title=Wendy Williams Kicks-Off Gay Pride|url=https://www.essence.com/celebrity/wendy-on-gay-pride-stay-true-to-who-you-are/|access-date=December 23, 2020|website=Essence|date=October 28, 2020 }} This included the magazine's first profile of a lesbian couple in its 40-year history for its "Bridal Bliss" section.{{Cite web|title='Essence' Explores Race, Same-Gender Love|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=130888323|access-date=December 22, 2020|website=NPR.org | date=October 28, 2010 }}{{Cite web|title=Newlyweds to start CAP think tank - Karin Tanabe & Amie Parnes|url=https://www.politico.com/click/stories/1010/newlyweds_to_start_cap_think_tank.html|access-date=December 23, 2020|website=www.politico.com}}{{Cite web|title=Essence's First Lesbian Wedding|url=https://jezebel.com/essences-first-lesbian-wedding-5676701|access-date=December 23, 2020|website=Jezebel|date=October 29, 2010 }}{{Cite news|last=|first=|date=October 13, 2010|title=Essence.com Spotlights Lesbian Brides|work=The Advocate|url=https://www.advocate.com/news/daily-news/2010/10/13/essence-magazine-spotlights-lesbian-brides|access-date=}}{{Cite web|date=September 14, 2011|title=Essence.com Profiles First Wedding Featuring a Lesbian Couple|url=https://www.glaad.org/2010/10/13/essence-com-profiles-first-wedding-featuring-a-lesbian-couple|access-date=December 23, 2020|website=GLAAD|archive-date=November 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128000209/https://www.glaad.org/2010/10/13/essence-com-profiles-first-wedding-featuring-a-lesbian-couple|url-status=dead}} The coverage resulted in the publication winning a 2011 GLAAD Award for outstanding digital journalism.{{Cite web|date=September 6, 2011|title=List of Award Recipients: 22nd Annual GLAAD Media Awards Presented by Rökk Vodka Marriott Marquis in New York, March 19, 2011|url=https://www.glaad.org/releases/nymarecipients_english|access-date=December 23, 2020|website=GLAAD|archive-date=March 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210304102346/https://www.glaad.org/releases/nymarecipients_english|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|title=Star Gazing: Essence.com Wins a GLAAD Award|url=https://www.essence.com/celebrity/star-gazing-essencecom-wins-a-glaad-awar/|access-date=December 23, 2020|website=Essence}} He left the publication in 2014 to focus on promoting LGBTQ+ representation across media platforms by starting his consultancy and branding agency, World of Wilbekin. Concurrent with this work, he served as Afropunk's chief content officer from 2018 until 2020. His time at Afropunk was dedicated to turning the organization into a safe place for Black queer people.{{Cite web|date=August 28, 2018|title=Afropunk and the Exploration and Expression of the Black Queer Experience|url=https://www.glaad.org/blog/afropunk-and-exploration-and-expression-black-queer-experience|access-date=December 22, 2020|website=GLAAD|archive-date=June 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210605222240/https://www.glaad.org/blog/afropunk-and-exploration-and-expression-black-queer-experience|url-status=dead}} He departed Afropunk to work exclusively on empowering the Black gay community in 2020.

Throughout his career, Wilbekin has worked as a cultural critic and commentator, speaking about fashion, music, LGBTQ+ people, Black lives, HIV, activism, racism, and celebrities with a wide range of publications including New York Times,{{Cite news|last=Trebay|first=Guy|date=May 20, 2003|title=Taking Hip-Hop Seriously. Seriously.|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/05/20/nyregion/taking-hip-hop-seriously-seriously.html|access-date=December 22, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}{{Cite news|last=Ogunnaike|first=Lola|date=February 11, 2007|title=A Paparazzo? Celebrities Smile and Say 'Friend'|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/11/fashion/shows/11nunez.html|access-date=December 22, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}{{Cite news|last=Ives|first=Nat|date=August 9, 2004|title=Hip-Hop Admen: Walk This Way, Shop This Way|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/09/business/hip-hop-admen-walk-this-way-shop-this-way.html|access-date=December 22, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}{{Cite news|last=Denizet-Lewis|first=Benoit|date=August 3, 2003|title=Double Lives On The Down Low|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/08/03/magazine/double-lives-on-the-down-low.html|access-date=December 24, 2020|issn=0362-4331}} Los Angeles Times,{{Cite web|date=January 16, 2000|title=Hard-Won Success for a Woman of Principle|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-jan-16-ca-54416-story.html|access-date=December 22, 2020|website=Los Angeles Times}}{{Cite web|date=August 5, 2001|title=Forget Fad-Try Fixture|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-aug-05-ca-30679-story.html|access-date=December 22, 2020|website=Los Angeles Times}} Washington Post,{{Cite news|last=|first=|date=|title=Ringwald wrestles with The Breakfast Club in the MeToo era|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2018/04/09/molly-ringwald-reckons-with-the-the-breakfast-club-in-the-metoo-era/|access-date=}} New York,{{Cite web|title=House Tour - Todd Oldham - Alex Shuman - Emil Wilbekin - Beth Rudin DeWoody |url=https://nymag.com/nymetro/shopping/homedesign/features/n_9324/|access-date=December 22, 2020|website=New York |date=October 3, 2003 }}{{Cite web|last=Wagner|first=Lindsay Peoples|date=August 23, 2018|title=What It's Really Like to Be Black and Work in Fashion|url=https://www.thecut.com/2018/08/what-its-really-like-to-be-black-and-work-in-fashion.html|access-date=December 23, 2020|website=The Cut}}{{Cite web|title=Biq Question - What should P. Diddy do next?|url=https://nymag.com/nymetro/news/columns/bigquestion/n_10301/|access-date=December 24, 2020|website=New York|date=April 23, 2004 }} Associated Press,{{Cite web|date=June 29, 2005|title='Retail profiling' still common|url=https://www.sunjournal.com/2005/06/29/retail-profiling-still-common/|access-date=December 22, 2020|website=Lewiston Sun Journal}}{{Cite web|last=Wellington|first=Elizabeth|date=November 12, 2008|title=Michelle Obama's singular style|url=https://www.inquirer.com/philly/living/20081112_Michelle_Obama_s_singular_style.html|access-date=December 22, 2020|website=AP News for The Philadelphia Inquirer}} MTV,{{Cite web|last=Kaufman|first=Gil|title=What To Do If You're A Victim Of Domestic Violence|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1604622/what-to-do-if-youre-a-victim-of-domestic-violence/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170602161422/http://www.mtv.com/news/1604622/what-to-do-if-youre-a-victim-of-domestic-violence/|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 2, 2017|access-date=December 22, 2020|website=MTV News}}{{Cite web|last=Kaufman|first=Gil|title=Experts Weigh In On Kanye West's Post-VMA Career Recovery|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1621798/experts-weigh-in-on-kanye-wests-post-vma-career-recovery/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151210183244/http://www.mtv.com/news/1621798/experts-weigh-in-on-kanye-wests-post-vma-career-recovery/|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 10, 2015|access-date=December 24, 2020|website=MTV News}} PBS,{{Cite web|title=Hip-Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes|url=https://www.pbs.org/independentlens/documentaries/hiphop/|access-date=December 22, 2020|website=www.pbs.org}} ABC News,{{Cite web|title=Prop 8 Sparks Gay-Black Divide|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/prop-sparks-gay-black-divide/story?id=6284348|access-date=December 24, 2020|website=ABC News}}{{Cite web|title=Officials Probe Crash That Killed Aaliyah|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/story?id=102798&page=1|access-date=December 22, 2020|website=ABC News}}{{Cite web|title=Britney as Britney in a Biopic?|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/SpecialConcert/story?id=6250557&page=1|access-date=December 24, 2020|website=ABC News}}{{Cite web|title=Who's Who: Casting 'Election 2008: The Movie'|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/story?id=6241025&page=1|access-date=December 22, 2020|website=ABC News}} CNN,{{Cite web|title=Jackson shared bond with 'very dear friend Diana Ross' - CNN.com|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Music/07/03/michael.jackson.diana.ross/index.html|access-date=December 24, 2020|website=CNN}}{{Cite web|title=CNN.com - Transcripts|url=https://transcripts.cnn.com/show/smn/date/2001-09-08/segment/13|access-date=December 24, 2020|website=CNN}}{{Cite web|title=CNN.com|url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0301/07/lt.02.html|access-date=December 24, 2020|website=transcripts.cnn.com}}{{Cite web|title=Women dominate top Grammy categories |date=February 27, 2002|url=https://www.cnn.com/2002/SHOWBIZ/Music/02/27/gram.grammy.advance/index.html|access-date=December 24, 2020|website=www.cnn.com}} The Guardian,{{Cite web|last=Farrow|first=Boyd|date=December 7, 2003|title=Jackson arrest coverage shows its true colours|url=http://www.theguardian.com/media/2003/dec/07/broadcasting.michaeljacksontrial|access-date=December 22, 2020|website=the Guardian}}{{Cite web|last=Eaton|first=Phoebe|date=October 9, 2004|title=Cover story: Kimora's world|url=http://www.theguardian.com/theobserver/2004/oct/10/features.magazine27|access-date=December 22, 2020|website=the Guardian}} Village Voice,{{Cite web|title=Blige: Queen of Street Couture |url=https://www.villagevoice.com/2002/08/20/blige-queen-of-street-couture/|access-date=December 22, 2020|website=www.villagevoice.com|date=August 20, 2002 }}{{Cite web|title=Fronting for the Enemy |url=https://www.villagevoice.com/2001/06/19/fronting-for-the-enemy/|access-date=December 22, 2020|website=www.villagevoice.com|date=June 19, 2001 }} New York Observer,{{Cite web|date=March 27, 2008|title=Vogue Cover (Mini?)-Controversy|url=https://observer.com/2008/03/ivoguei-cover-minicontroversy/|access-date=December 22, 2020|website=Observer}} Women's Wear Daily,{{Cite web|last=Feitelberg|first=Rosemary|date=September 16, 2008|title=Runway Diversity Still Lagging|url=https://wwd.com/fashion-news/fashion-features/african-american-models-remain-an-issue-1782304/|access-date=December 22, 2020|website=WWD}} Politico,{{Cite web|last=Reagan|first=Gillian|title=Tucking in Kanye West: Blogger Angel Laws makes big-time play with Concrete Loop|url=http://politi.co/1W2QLxk|access-date=December 24, 2020|website=Politico Media|date=November 8, 2010 }} Variety,{{Cite web|last=Helligar|first=Jeremy|date=June 20, 2019|title=What Happened to the Black Queer Music Revolution That Frank Ocean Almost Started?|url=https://variety.com/2019/music/features/frank-ocean-black-queer-music-1203248056/|access-date=December 23, 2020|website=Variety}} Billboard,{{Cite magazine|title=Writers Look Back on Foxy Brown & Lil Kim's Powerful Debuts 20 Years Later: They Were 'Milestones in Hip-Hop'|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/7572692/lil-kim-hard-core-foxy-brown-ill-na-na-anniversary/|access-date=December 24, 2020|magazine=Billboard}} Chicago Tribune,{{Cite web|last=Ogunnaike |first=Lola |agency=New York Times News Service|title=Blinded light|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2003-10-01-0310010017-story.html|access-date=December 24, 2020|website=chicagotribune.com|date=October 2003 }} McCall's,{{Cite web|first=Jesse|last=Washington|title=Is gay the new black? Marriage ban spurs debate|url=https://www.mcall.com/sdut-gay-new-black-113008-2008nov30-story.html|access-date=December 24, 2020|website=mcall.com|via=Associated Press|archive-date=November 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221124140309/https://www.mcall.com/sdut-gay-new-black-113008-2008nov30-story.html|url-status=dead}} BET,{{Cite web|last=Wagner|first=Lindsay Peoples|date=August 23, 2018|title=What It's Really Like to Be Black and Work in Fashion|url=https://www.thecut.com/2018/08/what-its-really-like-to-be-black-and-work-in-fashion.html|access-date=December 23, 2020|website=The Cut}} Reuters,{{Cite news|last=Powell|first=Alicia|date=June 26, 2020|title=Black culture in fashion seeks to move from the runway to the control tower|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-fashion-race-idCAKBN23W378|access-date=December 24, 2020}} Quartz,{{Cite web|last=Duan|first=Noël|title=H&M's new diversity officer is an attempt by the fashion giant to save face through HR|url=https://qz.com/quartzy/1182836/hms-new-diversity-officer-is-an-attempt-by-the-fashion-giant-to-save-face-through-hr/|access-date=December 24, 2020|website=Quartz|date=January 18, 2018 }} Wall Street Journal,{{Cite news|last=D. Wynter|first=Leon|date=June 3, 1999|title=Titans of Black Magazines Redefine Their Missions|work=Wall Street Journal|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB928274000722561368|access-date=December 24, 2020|issn=0099-9660}} Forbes,{{Cite web|last=Kerpen|first=Carrie|title=It's Time To Redefine Masculinity|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/carriekerpen/2019/07/08/its-time-to-redefine-masculinity/|access-date=December 24, 2020|website=Forbes}} and E! Online.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=November 27, 2008|title=Kanye West's Elvis Presley Complex|url=https://www.eonline.com/news/70722/kanye-west-s-elvis-presley-complex|access-date=December 22, 2020|website=E! Online}} Due to his standing within the music industry, he has been called upon to speak about the passing of notable artists. On August 21, 2001, he spoke with CNN about passing of Aaliyah.{{Cite web|publisher=CNN |title=Vibe Magazine's Emil Wilbekin: Remembering Aaliyah - August 27, 2001|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2001/COMMUNITY/08/27/welbekin.cnna/index.html|access-date=December 22, 2020}} He live-blogged Michael Jackson's memorial service on July 7, 2009, for Entertainment Weekly.{{Cite web|title=Michael Jackson memorial: full video and our commentary|url=https://ew.com/article/2009/07/07/michael-jackson-memorial-service-live-blog/|access-date=December 22, 2020|website=EW.com|archive-date=November 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127040146/https://ew.com/article/2009/07/07/michael-jackson-memorial-service-live-blog/|url-status=dead}} On August 31, 2018, he provided commentary for BET's broadcast of Aretha Franklin's funeral service.{{Cite web|date=August 30, 2018|title=BET Networks to Broadcast Live Commercial-Free Coverage of Musical Icon Aretha Franklin's Funeral Services On-Air and Online Friday, August 31 Beginning at 10 AM ET|url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180830005678/en/BET-Networks-to-Broadcast-Live-Commercial-Free-Coverage-of-Musical-Icon-Aretha-Franklins-Funeral-Services-On-Air-and-Online-Friday-August-31-Beginning-at-10-AM-ET|access-date=December 23, 2020|website=www.businesswire.com}} He spoke with WNYC about the passing of Andre Harrell on May 13, 2020.{{Cite web|title=Remembering Andre Harrell, Influential Hip-Hop Executive {{!}} All Of It|url=https://www.wnyc.org/story/remembering-andre-harrell-influential-hip-hop-executive/|access-date=December 23, 2020|website=WNYC}}

He also weighed in on Kanye West's interruption of Taylor Swift's acceptance speech for the Best Video Award at the 2009 MTV Music Video Awards, saying that it was not West's place to speak for Beyoncé;{{Cite web|title=Anger over West's disruption at MTV awards - CNN.com|url=https://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/09/14/kanye.west.reaction/index.html|access-date=December 24, 2020|website=www.cnn.com}} participated in VH1's Love & Hip Hop: "Out in Hip-Hop" round table discussion on homophobia in the hip-hop community;{{Cite web|last=Vh1 10 December 2015|title=DMC, Big Freedia, and More Join VH1's Special Love & Hip Hop: Out in Hip Hop|url=https://www.vh1.com/news/pbbq67/dmc-big-freedia-and-more-join-vh1s-special-love-hip-hop-out-in-hip-hop|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005094248/https://www.vh1.com/news/pbbq67/dmc-big-freedia-and-more-join-vh1s-special-love-hip-hop-out-in-hip-hop|url-status=live|archive-date=October 5, 2022|access-date=December 24, 2020|website=VH1 News}} and chastised the New York Post{{'s}} comparison of President Barack Obama with a chimpanzee.{{Cite web|last=Crosley|first=Hillary|date=February 24, 2009|title=Giant's Emil Wilbekin on NY Post's Chimp Fiasco|url=https://parlourmagazine.com/2009/02/giants-emil-wilbekin-on-ny-posts-chimp-fiasco/|access-date=December 24, 2020|website=Parlour|archive-date=December 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201202070247/https://parlourmagazine.com/2009/02/giants-emil-wilbekin-on-ny-posts-chimp-fiasco/|url-status=dead}}

In 2015, while he was on vacation in India, Wilbekin began to have thoughts about transforming World of Wilbekin from a branding agency into a movement. During the trip, he realized that Black gay men lacked unity around fellowship, networking, and celebrating one another. Upon returning to New York, he was inspired to redress this issue while re-reading James Baldwin's Notes of a Native Son. After writing an essay about feeling unsafe and demonized as a Black gay man in response to the Orlando nightclub shooting,{{Cite web|last1=Wilbekin|first1=Emil|date=June 16, 2016|title=Pride: The Struggle Is Real for Black Gay Men|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/pridepride-the-struggle-is-real-for-black-gay-men_b_5761ac08e4b057ac661b4c82|access-date=December 22, 2020|website=HuffPost}} he began to transform World of Wilbekin into a full-fledged advocacy organization dedicated to supporting Black queer men of all backgrounds. He named the organization Native Son Now in honor of Baldwin's book.{{Cite web|title=Emil Wilbekin's Native Son Will Change the Way Black Gay Men Are Represented in the Media|url=https://thegrapevine.theroot.com/emil-wilbekin-s-native-son-will-change-the-way-black-ga-1821134537|access-date=December 22, 2020|website=The Grapevine|date=December 8, 2017 }}

Native Son Now was officially launched with an awards ceremony that celebrated the achievements of Black gay men in 2016. Its honorees included Don Lemon, George C. Wolfe, and DeRay McKesson.{{Cite web|title=First-Ever Native Son Awards To Honor The Achievements Of Black Gay Men In Activism, Media And Entertainment|url=https://www.essence.com/culture/native-son-awards-honors-achievements-of-black-gay-men/|access-date=December 22, 2020|website=Essence|date=October 26, 2020 }}{{Cite news|last=Lee|first=Denny|date=December 2, 2016|title=Pre-Holiday Spirit|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2016/12/02/fashion/galas-unicef-phoenix-house-alvin-ailey-american-dance-theater-native-son-awards.html|access-date=December 24, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}{{Cite web|date=December 2, 2016|title='Native Son Awards' celebrates the excellence of black gay men|url=https://thegrio.com/2016/12/02/native-son-awards-black-gay-men/|access-date=December 22, 2020|website=TheGrio}}{{Cite web|date=December 2, 2016|title=In a Year of Unprecedented Visibility, the Native Son Awards Honor Achievements of Black Gay Men|url=http://www.out.com/news-opinion/2016/12/02/year-unprecedented-visibility-native-son-awards-honor-achievements-black-gay-men|access-date=December 22, 2020|website=www.out.com}} At that inaugural celebration, Wilbekin revealed his HIV status publicly for the first time because he did not feel that it was right to hide while asking others to reveal themselves. In an effort to destigmatize HIV within the Black community, he partnered with ViiV Healthcare on producing an immersive theatre piece that raised awareness about the virus.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=September 4, 2019|title=Destigmatizing HIV in Black Men|url=https://www.papermag.com/as-much-as-i-can-2640175079.html|access-date=|website=Paper}} The piece, As Much As I Can, debuted in 2017. Wilbekin continued his focus on promoting the Black queer community by partnering with Google to create an event focused on Black gay men in the tech industry;.{{Cite web|title=Google And Native Son Founder Emil Wilbekin Host An Unprecedented Conversation About Black Gay Men And Tech|url=https://www.essence.com/culture/google-native-son-emil-wilbekin-black-gay-men-tech/|access-date=December 24, 2020|website=Essence|date=October 24, 2020 }}{{Cite magazine|title='As Much As I Can' Immersive Theater Show Shines Light on HIV Among Gay Black Men|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/pride/8454709/as-much-as-i-can-theater-new-york-hiv-black-gay-men|access-date=December 24, 2020|magazine=Billboard}} partnering with Bloomingdale's to create Native Son Now inspired gay pride merchandise;{{Cite web|last1=Palmieri|first1=Jean E.|date=June 4, 2018|title=Bloomingdale's, Native Son Team on Pride Collection|url=https://wwd.com/fashion-news/fashion-scoops/bloomingdales-native-son-team-on-pride-collection-1202688266/|access-date=December 24, 2020|website=WWD}} collaborating with Scotch Porter's "Embracing Masculinity: #DareToCare" campaign, which focused on challenging toxic masculinity.{{Cite web|title=#DaretoCare: This Father's Day, Scotch Porter Decodes Masculinity With a New Campaign|url=https://theglowup.theroot.com/daretocare-this-fathers-day-scotch-porter-decodes-ma-1835478341|access-date=December 24, 2020|website=The Glow Up|date=June 13, 2019 }}{{Cite web|title=Dare to Care: Champions for Wellness and Self-Care |date=June 13, 2019 |publisher=The Scotch Porter Journal|url=https://journal.scotchporter.com/2019/06/dare-to-care-champions-for-wellness-and-self-care/|access-date=December 24, 2020}} and producing encore performances of "As Much As I Can" with a constant push on eliminating HIV stigma.{{Cite web|date=September 9, 2019|title=Finally, a Play About Being Black, Gay, and Living With HIV|url=https://www.advocate.com/theater/2019/9/09/finally-play-about-being-black-gay-and-living-hiv|access-date=December 24, 2020|website=www.advocate.com}}{{Cite web|date=July 2, 2018|title=Urban View raises awareness about HIV, AIDS and need for increased education|url=https://blog.siriusxm.com/urban-view-raises-awareness-about-hiv-aids-and-need-for-increased-education/|access-date=December 22, 2020|website=Hear & Now}}{{Cite web|date=April 9, 2018|title=Native Son Founder Emil Wilbekin on Elevating & Celebrating Black Gay Men|url=http://www.chill.us/2018/4/09/native-son-founder-emil-wilbekin-elevating-celebrating-black-gay-men|access-date=December 22, 2020|website=www.chill.us}}{{Cite web|date=June 18, 2018|title='As Much As I Can' Examines The Health And Humanity Of HIV Positive Black Gay Men|url=https://www.vibe.com/2018/06/as-much-as-i-can-feature|access-date=December 22, 2020|website=Vibe}}{{Cite web|last=Auten|first=John Schneider and David|title=Finding Opportunities In Challenges For Queer People With Emil Wilbekin|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/debtfreeguys/2017/09/26/finding-opportunities-in-challenges-for-queer-people-with-emil-wilbekin/|access-date=December 22, 2020|website=Forbes}}

In 2020, Native Son Now joined forces with Human Rights Campaign and Color Of Change to push for the release of data on COVID-19 in order to address the disproportionate effect that the virus was having on Black communities across the United States.{{Cite web|date=April 29, 2020|title=Native Son, Color of Change and the Human Rights Campaign Call for Improved Data Collection on Impact of COVID-19 on Black Communities {{!}} Radio DJ {{!}} FM {{!}} Teddy Pendergrass {{!}} Song|url=https://radiofacts.com/native-son-color-of-change-and-the-human-rights-campaign-call-for-improved-data-collection-on-impact-of-covid-19-on-black-communities/|access-date=December 22, 2020|archive-date=June 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210628005748/https://radiofacts.com/native-son-color-of-change-and-the-human-rights-campaign-call-for-improved-data-collection-on-impact-of-covid-19-on-black-communities/|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|title=#AM_Equality: April 30, 2020|url=https://www.hrc.org/news/am-equality-april-30-2020|access-date=December 22, 2020|website=HRC|date=April 30, 2020|archive-date=January 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210101010000/https://www.hrc.org/news/am-equality-april-30-2020|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web |title=Black Enterprise @blackenterprise |url=https://www.pscp.tv/blackenterprise/1LyxBNoyplaxN |access-date=December 22, 2020 |website=Periscope}} Responding to the pandemic's effect on same-gender-loving Black men in particular, Wilbekin launched The Black Gay Leadership Forum—the world's first virtual gathering of its kind—which featured 100 Black gay thought leaders, activists, media personalities, business executives, and academics in conversation about staying connected during the period of forced isolation.{{Cite news|date=June 12, 2020|title=Native Son hosts historic virtual leadership forum for Black gay men|work=TheGrio|url=https://thegrio.com/2020/06/12/native-son-emil-wilbekin-black-gay-leadership/|access-date=December 22, 2020}}{{Cite web|title=Native Son Founder Emil Wilbekin Launches Virtual Black Gay Leadership Forum|url=https://www.essence.com/lifestyle/emil-wilbekins-native-son-black-gay-leadership-forum/|access-date=December 22, 2020|website=Essence|date=November 4, 2020 }}{{Cite web|date=June 12, 2020|first=Juan Michael|last=Porter II|title=Native Son's Black Gay Leadership Forum Uplifts the Community, Virtually|url=https://www.thebody.com/article/native-sons-black-gay-leadership-forum|access-date=December 22, 2020|website=www.thebody.com}} This focus on promoting Black gay men as a community during the 2020 pandemic expanded to include Black gay innovation in fashion,{{Cite web|last=Hopkins|first=Kathryn|date=September 22, 2020|title=Native Son Hosts Inaugural Black Gay Men in Fashion Event|url=https://wwd.com/business-news/media/native-son-hosts-inaugural-black-gay-men-in-fashion-event-1234596465/|access-date=December 23, 2020|website=WWD}} Wilbekin's serving as creative consultant on and helping to produce Darnell L. Moore's Being Seen podcast—which also focused on elevating the achievements of Black gay men{{Cite press release|last=Healthcare|first=ViiV|title=ViiV Healthcare presents a new podcast about the Power of Being Seen|url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/viiv-healthcare-presents-a-new-podcast-about-the-power-of-being-seen-301143992.html|access-date=December 23, 2020|website=www.prnewswire.com}}—participating in the Academy Award's Academy Dialogues; Native Son,{{Cite web|last=Donnelly|first=Matt|date=August 20, 2020|title=Film Academy Launches Conversation Series on Race, Gender, Inclusion|url=https://variety.com/2020/film/news/oscars-academy-conversation-series-race-gender-1234741445/|access-date=December 23, 2020|website=Variety}}{{Cite web|date=August 20, 2020|title=Academy Dialogues: Native Son|url=https://www.oscars.org/events/academy-dialogues-native-son|access-date=December 23, 2020|website=Oscars.org|publisher=Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences}} the 2020 Native Son Awards which honored Edward Eninful, Lee Daniels, André De Shields, Rashad Robinson, and Billy Porter,{{Cite web|last=Hopkins|first=Kathryn|date=September 22, 2020|title=Native Son Hosts Inaugural Black Gay Men in Fashion Event|url=https://wwd.com/business-news/media/native-son-hosts-inaugural-black-gay-men-in-fashion-event-1234596465/|access-date=December 22, 2020|website=WWD}}{{Cite web|title=Native Son Hosts Inaugural Black Gay Men in Fashion Event|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/native-son-hosts-inaugural-black-162650548.html|access-date=December 22, 2020|website=sports.yahoo.com|date=September 22, 2020 }}{{Cite web|date=April 8, 2020|title=Livestream Native Son's Daily Programs for Black Gay Men|url=https://www.papermag.com/livestream-native-son-2645667332.html?rebelltitem=7#rebelltitem7?rebelltitem=7|access-date=December 22, 2020|website=PAPER}} and culminated with the release of the Native Son 101, the world's first list of over 101 successful Black gay men from numerous industries.{{Cite web|title=Black Gay And Queer Men Who Made Impact In 2020|url=https://nativeson.us/pages/native-son-101|access-date=December 25, 2020|website=Native Son}}{{Cite news|author=BWW News Desk|title=Billy Porter, George C. Wolfe and More Among '101 Black Gay And Queer Men Who Made Impact In 2020'|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Billy-Porter-George-C-Wolfe-and-More-Among-101-Black-Gay-And-Queer-Men-Who-Made-Impact-In-2020-20201228|access-date=December 29, 2020|website=BroadwayWorld.com}}

Since launching Native Son Now, Wilbekin has been hailed as a 2016 Black Enterprise Modern Man,{{Cite web|date=July 15, 2016|title=Emil Wilbekin, Chief Creative Officer, Talks Passion to Purpose|url=https://www.blackenterprise.com/passion-to-purpose-emil-wilbekin-chief-creative-officer-and-founder-of-world-of-wilbekin-wow-2/|access-date=December 22, 2020|website=Black Enterprise}} given the 2017 "Master of Style" award by Out magazine and Cadillac,{{Cite web|date=November 27, 2017|title=5 Questions with Master of Style Emil Wilbekin|url=https://www.out.com/cadillac/2017/11/27/5-questions-master-style-emil-wilbekin|access-date=December 22, 2020|website=www.out.com}}{{Cite web|date=November 13, 2017|title=2017 Master of Style: Emil Wilbekin on Style and Inspiration|url=https://www.out.com/cadillac/2017/11/13/2017-master-style-emil-wilbekin-style-and-inspiration|access-date=December 22, 2020|website=www.out.com}} honored by the Boy Scouts of America with the 2017 Harlem Good Scout Award,{{Cite web|title=Boy Scouts of America honors Harlem's most prominent figures|url=http://amsterdamnews.com/news/2017/dec/07/boy-scouts-america-honors-harlems-most-prominent-f/|access-date=December 23, 2020|website=amsterdamnews.com|date=December 7, 2017 }} awarded GLAAD's 2018 Ric Weiland Award,{{Cite web|last=Nyren|first=Erin|date=August 30, 2018|title=Alyssa Milano to Receive GLAAD's Inaugural Ariadne Getty Ally Award|url=https://variety.com/2018/biz/news/alyssa-milano-glaad-ariadne-getty-ally-award-1202921539/|access-date=December 22, 2020|website=Variety}} named one of Fast Company's Most Creative People of 2019,{{Cite web|last=McCorvey|first=J. J.|date=May 22, 2019|title=How this former media executive created a powerful network for black gay professionals|url=https://www.fastcompany.com/90344336/most-creative-people-2019-native-son-emil-wilbekin|access-date=December 22, 2020|website=Fast Company}} awarded ADColor's 2019 Advocate Award,{{Cite press release|last=Adcolor|title=Adcolor Announces Winners At The 13th Annual Adcolor Awards In Los Angeles|url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/adcolor-announces-winners-at-the-13th-annual-adcolor-awards-in-los-angeles-300916510.html|access-date=December 22, 2020|website=www.prnewswire.com}} declared HIV Plus' 2019 #1 most amazing person living with HIV,{{Cite web|date=January 18, 2019|title=#1 of Our Amazing People Living with HIV: Emil Wilbekin|url=https://www.hivplusmag.com/people/2019/1/18/1-our-amazing-people-living-hiv-emil-wilbekin|access-date=December 24, 2020|website=www.hivplusmag.com}} named a Renaissance Man by TheBody.com, and honored at Cincinnati's 2020 Black gay Pride.{{Cite web|title=Emil Wilbekin|url=https://www.cincinnatiblackpride.com/emilwilbekin|access-date=December 22, 2020|website=Cincy Black Pride}}

Wilbekin is openly gay and living with HIV. He has stated that coming out to his family was difficult, but that they were able to move past the shock with help from his older brother, Erik.{{Cite web|date=July 18, 2019|title=Journalist Emil Wilbekin On Coming Out To His Christian Parents: "It Was One Of The Most Horrific Moments Of My Life"|url=https://madamenoire.com/1082107/journalist-emil-wilbekin-on-coming-out-to-his-christian-parents-it-was-one-of-the-most-horrific-moments-of-my-life/|access-date=December 22, 2020|website=MadameNoire|archive-date=February 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226220018/https://madamenoire.com/1082107/journalist-emil-wilbekin-on-coming-out-to-his-christian-parents-it-was-one-of-the-most-horrific-moments-of-my-life/|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|title=Emil Wilbekin Recounts How He Found His Truth And Sharing His Darkest Secret With His Late Mother|url=https://www.essence.com/love/culture-curator-emil-wilbekin-found-his-truth-sharing-his-darkest-secret-native-son/|access-date=December 22, 2020|website=Essence|date=October 23, 2020 }} Wilbekin is a Christian and a Universal Life minister.{{Cite web|date=February 18, 2020|first=Juan Michael|last=Porter II|title=Emil Wilbekin Is Our Native Son and Afropunk's Renaissance Man|url=https://www.thebody.com/article/journalist-emil-wilbekin-afropunks-renaissance-man|access-date=December 22, 2020|website=www.thebody.com}}{{Cite news|date=August 3, 2014|title=Calvin Wilson, Timmy Cuevas|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/03/fashion/weddings/calvin-wilson-timmy-cuevas.html|access-date=December 22, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}{{Cite web|title=Emil Wilbekin Recounts How He Found His Truth And Sharing His Darkest Secret With His Late Mother|url=https://www.essence.com/love/culture-curator-emil-wilbekin-found-his-truth-sharing-his-darkest-secret-native-son/|access-date=December 22, 2020|website=Essence|date=October 23, 2020 }}

{{Reflist|30em}}

• {{Official website|https://nativeson.us/}}
• {{IMDb name|1258821|Emil Wilbekin}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wilbekin, Emil}}

Category:1967 births

Category:African-American Christians

Category:American male writers

Category:American anti-racism activists

Category:African-American LGBTQ people

Category:Gay Christians

Category:LGBTQ people from Ohio

Category:American LGBTQ writers

Category:Writers from Ohio

Category:Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism alumni

Category:Hampton University alumni

Category:Fashion stylists

Category:American music critics

Category:Fashion editors

Category:Activist journalists

Category:American LGBTQ rights activists

Category:American writers with disabilities

Category:21st-century American educators

Category:21st-century American non-fiction writers

Category:20th-century American writers

Category:Black Lives Matter

Category:American HIV/AIDS activists

Category:American activist journalists

Category:American civil rights activists

Category:Living people

Category:Writers from Cincinnati

Category:Journalists from Cincinnati

Category:21st-century American male writers

Category:People with HIV/AIDS

Category:20th-century African-American writers

Category:21st-century African-American writers

Category:American activists with disabilities

Category:Educators with disabilities

Category:LGBTQ writers with disabilities