Selam & Hello

In loving memory of Charles 'Charli' Ouda. In this captivating episode of our podcast, join Lilly as she dives into an enthralling conversation with the illustrious Wanuri Kahiu, a visionary force in Kenyan filmmaking and storytelling whose groundbreaking work has not only influenced African cinema but has also captivated audiences worldwide. Today, we discover the vibrant world of AFROBUBBLEGUM,...

Note : This episode contains mention of sexual assault and gender-based violence.  In a powerful episode following the anti-femicide protests across Kenya on January 27th, 2024, Lilly converses with Maria Maina, a lawyer and writer who created the blog and social media platform, Social Justice Insights Kenya, which focuses on human rights and gender equality, and Audrey Mogeni, co-founder of...

Join Lilly for an enlightening conversation with urban anthropologist, Dr. Wangui Kimari. Dr. Kimari discusses her unique research blending local histories, urban political ecology, and the Black radical tradition to explore urban spatial management in Nairobi from the perspective marginalized residents. Lilly and Wangui delve into the importantl role of Nairobi's "outlaws" in greening the city, t...

Today's episode brings us into the innovative world of sustainable development and environmental technology. Lilly chats with Kidus Asfaw, the CEO and co-founder of Kubik, a company that is revolutionizing the transformation of difficult-to-recycle plastics into low-carbon building materials for emerging markets. Kubik was founded in 2021 and is already being lauded for their extraordinary ambitio...

Happy New Year! Today, we are honored to welcome eminent Haitian-American author and the Wun Tsun Tam Mellon Professor of the Humanities at Columbia University, Edwidge Danticat. In this episode, Professor Danticat guides Lilly through her literary craft and prolific library of 17 published books. The conversation probes the crucial role of literature in preserving and amplifying cultural legacies...

At the end of every episode we ask our guests - 'what is bringing you joy today?' Join us in the seasonal bonus as we listen to 23 joys from 2023! Thank you for listening, for sojourning with us and we wish you all a joyous and blessed holiday and new year! GUESTS FEATURED IN THIS EPISODE: KEVIN MWACHIRO, Writer, Podcaster, Journalist, and Queer Activist Ep 52: Black, Queer, Beloved ALABA ANGOLE,...

In the last episode of 2023, host Lilly goes behind the scenes with Sahihi Africa's Becky Muikia and Rahma Seif for an exclusive look into Selam & Hello's journey through 42 episodes, 54 guests, 4 live events and 2 spin-off shows in just 1 year! Sahihi Africa, a Pan-African communications agency, is at the forefront of amplifying diverse African narratives through media and partnered with Lill...

In this episode, Lilly sits down with Kenyan supermodel and founder of the Ajuma Foundation, Ajuma Nasenyana, to explore her remarkable journey from the Turkana region to global fashion runways to her impactful work with the Ajuma Foundation. Ajuma shares her experiences growing up in Kenya and the bullying she experienced, her rise as a running champion, and how her modeling career also left her...

What if your best friend was a boda-driving, super-chill, urban pangolin? Today Lilly is joined by the star-studded cast of Showmax's trailblazing 2D animated series, ' Twende ' which follows the adventures of Twende, the pangolin, his best friend and bird, Nuru - and the villains on their tale - as they scope the city for adventures and snacks! This isn't just any show – it's a gem in the crown o...

Join Lilly as she dives into a conversation with Susan Murabana, the visionary Kenyan astronomer and co-founder of The Travelling Telescope. Together, they unravel Susan's fascinating journey from a stargazing enthusiast to a trailblazer in community science education. Discover how The Travelling Telescope is captivating young minds and deepening their understanding of astronomy while weaving indi...

Did you know that although Black South Africans represent more than 80 percent of the country, only 1% of wine brands sold there are Black-owned? Our guest today is determined to see that change one sip at a time. Munashe Kwaramba, a dynamic sommelier and winemaker, and the chef and owner of Hari Kitchen in Franschhoek, South Africa joins us this week to tell his story. Munashe journeyed from...

In this engaging live recording from the Littlgig Festival in Lamu , Lilly sits down with the distinguished Tsitsi Dangarembga, one of the Continent's most prolific writers, playwrights, and filmmakers, whose narratives have touched audiences across the world. Tsitsi's interview recounts her mother's profound influence on her life, instilling in her the conviction to harness the intellect and crea...

In this episode, Lilly sits down with social anthropologist and Rhodes Scholar Alaba Angole for a conversation on colorism and the skin bleaching industry in Zambia. Alaba shares the personal encounters with colorism that have informed her research and mission to dismantle damaging social ideologies around color, gender, and social interactions. Alaba's intensive research on the cultural and socia...

This episode was recorded on Thursday 26 October. 2023. Please note that themes of war, conflict and genocide are discussed.  In 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King said:   "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny." Today, Lilly is joined by Irungu Houghton, Executive Director - Amnesty...

Join Lilly as she engages in conversation with Mark Otieno Odhiambo, one of Kenya's top sprinters. In this episode, they explore his challenging journey back to running following a three-year ban due to an unintended violation at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. They delve into the complexities of being an international athlete, the rigorous guidelines they must adhere to, and the intense pressure that co...

Join Lilly as she delves into Sheila Munyiva's transformative journey in the film and theatre world. Renowned for roles in projects like 'Rafiki', Netflix's 'Country Queen', and Disney's 'Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire', Sheila recounts her rise from playing a made-up Bible character to reshaping on-screen narratives. Sheila shares what it meant to her to be a part of the Rafiki's impact of weaving...

Legendary political satirst Godfrey Mwapembwa, better known as Gado, is proof that a picture is worth a thousand words. In this engaging episode, Lilly and Gado chart his unique path from his hometown of Dar es Salaam, to placing second in a drawing competition in Nairobi to becoming the Daily Nation's revered political cartoonist - and beyond. During their conversation, Gado reflects on his mothe...

In our first public live recording of 2023, Lilly hosts the dynamic Dr. Ijeoma Kola, a professor of history a the University of Notre Dame and a versatile presence in digital content creation, social impact entrepreneurship, and much more. Dr. Kola, the founder of Cohort Sistas , talks about her Nigerian heritage and the formative influence it had on her worldview, even after migrating to the U.S....

Today Lilly plunges into the captivating world of marine life with the remarkable Gibbs Kuguru! Gibbs is a Kenyan shark geneticist, biologist, and a vibrant presence on the cast of When Sharks Attack 360 on National Geographic WILD. Gibbs is the proud recipient of the 2022 National Geographic Society Wayfinder Award and is furthering research to unravel the mysteries of shark DNA and broaden our u...

Selam & Hello to all our wonderful listeners - we are thrilled to be back with Season 2 of Selam & Hello! Our guest today is actor, activist, and tech entrepreneur Arséma Angela Adeoluwayemi Hamera Thomas. Arséma has captured the imagination of global audiences with their portrayal of the young lady Danbury in Netflix's original series from Shonda Rhimes - Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerston Story. Bor...

72% of Kenya's population and over half of Africa' s population live in rural areas. Join Lilly as she sits down with Nelly Cheboi, the inspiring CEO of TechLit Africa , Forbes 30 Under 30 , and CNN's 2022 Hero of the Year to hear how Nelly is on a mission to empower rural, African children with the digital skills they need to access opportunities anywhere in the world. TechLit Africa has engaged...

In this episode, Lilly talks to Navalayo Osembo-Ombati - CEO and Co-Founder of Enda Athletic, Inc. Navalayo takes Lilly along her journey of founding the first running shoes and athletic brand to come from the continent. Navalyo shares her experience conceptualizing Enda and the innovation inspired by traditional Kenyan arts and culture that led to creating the brand, a story, and ultimately - a w...

In this episode, we get to know Lilly a little better as she brings you a mashup of the personal and the professional. Lilly speaks to Dr. Benjamin Piper - Director, Global Education at Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation - and her husband of 24 years. They talk about their journey of coming back to the continent to both raise a family and pursue careers in development as a blended Black American and...

Award-winning actor, director, and writer Mugambi Nthiga joins Lilly for an episode all about the movies. Following the Oscar nominations, Lilly and Mugambi talk about their favorite films of 2022, the celebration of films such as blockbuster and diaspora-inspired Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, and the apparent snubs of The Woman King and Nope . They also explore the importance (if any) of instit...

In the Valentine's Dat episode, Lilly speaks to psychosexual therapist Julie Githiru-Goko about all things sex and relationships. Julie and Lilly tackle questions from some of our listeners on issues they have been curious about. They explore how to have deeper, more meaningful communication for better connection and ultimately - better sex. Julie gives us some tips and tricks on how to navigate s...