When you think of VIBE Magazine what comes to mind??? Besides the publication being a CULTURAL PHENOMENON that defined young urbanites  for many years, I think of Emil Wilbekin - one of its founding editors. The highly esteemed journalist, whose extensive  resume alone is just  one of his many achievements,  has been a part of black history when it comes to the Hip-Hop/R&B culture and its push into the mainstream. Wilbekin is widely known for his 12-year tenure at Vibe magazine where he advanced from style editor to fashion director and finally to Editor-in-Chief from 1999 to 2004. It was under Wilbekin’s leadership Vibe won the National Magazine Award for General Excellence in 2002.

Here’s a little snippet of his illustrious resume: In 2004, Wilbekin became Editorial Director/Vice President of Brand Development for Vibe Ventures. In 2005, Wilbekin became the Vice President of Brand Development at Marc Ecko Enterprises and also served as Style Guru at Complex Magazine. He also was the Editor-in-Chief of GIANT Magazine. Lastly, Wilbekin is a contributing editor at both Paper and Bleu Magazines and writes fashion articles for the MSN site, The Daily Access.

Emil Wilbekin can be seen doing various TV appearances sharing his delightful personality and broad expertise with the world. The extremely gifted editor never shied away form his sexuality and is an OUT proud gay man. Wilbekin also makes philanthropy a top priority as he serves on the Board of Directors for LifeBeat: The Music Industry Fights AIDS and P.O.C.C. Out magazine named Emil Wilbekin as one of 100 most influential gay people in America in 2002. Emil Wilbekin is currently the managing editor of Essence.com. Certainly a Black Fashion Maven and so much more.

THOUGHTS???