Bambadjan Bamba is an actor and filmmaker who immigrated from the Ivory Coast with his family fleeing political persecution in 1992. He learned English by listening to hip-hop greats like Biggie Smalls and watching cartoons like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Upon finding out that he was undocumented as a high school senior, Bambadjan worked his way through drama school without any financial aid. Since then, he’s qualified for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and worked his way up in Hollywood. He is now a series regular on NBC’s The Good Place and has a role in the upcoming Marvel blockbuster Black Panther.
When the Trump administration announced they would be repealing the DACA program, Bambadjan decided he could no longer stay silent. He’s now working with Define American to share his story in hopes of shedding more light on America’s outdated and dysfunctional immigration system.
To sign a petition in support of Bamba, visit https://defineamerican.com/bamba.
More info: defineamerican.com
This is Bambadjan Bamba, actor and filmmaker.
This is his story, in his own words.
Bamba arrived in the South Bronx at 10 years old and didn't speak a word of English.
Now Bamba is married and has a daughter.
Bambadjan Bamba and his daughter.
After revealing he was undocumented, his community of friends and allies in Hollywood gathered to support him.
Actor Ian Nelson of The Hunger Games, Teen Wolf, and "There's Johnny" stands in support of Bamba
Other people with DACA took Bamba's announcement as a source of inspiration.
