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 indigenous stories into its educational tapestry. As the Travelling Telescope approaches its tenth year,...
Nov 28, 2023•40 min
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 Zimbabwe to South Africa as a student, became a qualified sommelier at 23, and at age 27 founded his own...
Nov 21, 2023•40 min
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 creativity that would lead to an award-winning career. She delves into the creation of her timeless char...
Nov 13, 2023•50 min
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 social frameworks that sustain the skin bleaching phenomenon in Zambia highlights trends all too familiar...
Nov 07, 2023•51 min
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 International Kenya. Together, they delve into the complexities of the war in Palestine and Israel, as well as the con...
Nov 01, 2023•50 min
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 comes with high-performance sports. Mark shares not only his personal battle during the ban - but how ...
Oct 23, 2023•44 min
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 a love story that opened avenues of acceptance and visibility for Kenya's queer community at home an...
Oct 16, 2023•51 min
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 mother's foundational support and his 30-year journey challenging global powerhouses through art. Gado an...
Oct 09, 2023•1 hr 3 min
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. at a young age. Ijeoma reflects on the inspirations drawn from her mother's nursing career, her res...
Oct 02, 2023•1 hr 16 min
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 understanding of these majestic creatures. Dive in as Lilly and Gibbs discuss the pivotal role of rep...
Sep 25, 2023•59 min
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. Born to a Nigerian father and an Ethiopian mother, Arséma is the definition of a pan-African gl...
Sep 18, 2023•1 hr 18 min
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 over 4000 kids in computer classes to equip them with the tools they need to work remotely for any c...
Sep 04, 2023•52 min
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 way of preserving and communicating African history. They talk about how Enda has built a community d...
Aug 28, 2023•51 min
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 Ethiopian family. Ben also highlights some of his work within international education policy and...
Aug 22, 2023•39 min
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 institutions such as The Academy for the African film industry and how the creative industries - and audie...
Aug 15, 2023•56 min
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 sex and relationships in different seasons of our lives including handling sex when dealing with ment...
Aug 07, 2023•52 min
In one of our most popular episodes of 2023, in honor of International Day of Education, Lilly speaks to 'educators for liberation,' Sagda Khalil and Amin Hussain. They explore their journeys to becoming educators both on the continent and abroad and their approach to education as social justice. They share the ways they are celebrating the wisdom and brilliance of every child and decentering the dominant culture in education through both their pedagogical approach and workshops they have develo...
Jul 31, 2023•46 min
In 2022, Food4Education served its 10 millionth meal. Since we first aired this episode in January - they have passed the 15 million mark! Wawira Njiru, the Founder and Executive Director of Food4Education joins us to share the journey and incredible impact that the organization has had in Kenya since they began their work a decade ago. Wawira and Lilly discuss how to tell dignified stories about poverty, carrying forward the legacy of committed (and shoeless) parents and the importance of grass...
Jul 25, 2023•42 min
In this episode, Lilly talks to East Africa correspondent for the New York Times, Abdi Latif Dahir. They explore the nuanced experience and incredible responsibility of writing about Africa as a child of the continent who has an international platform. Abdi discusses how his personal ties and experiences in the region inform his role as a journalist and the challenges he and other reporters face when narrating the story of Africa, her people and her places. He shares what he's hearing from reade...
Jul 17, 2023•53 min
In this special edition, join Lilly and the live audience as she has a soul-stirring conversation with Jean, a loving father, dedicated husband, and a resilient citizen of Centrafrique. Jean introduces us to his "happiest place on earth", a country populated with warm people whose focus is on the present, not the past. Jean, born and raised amidst the decades-long civil war in Centrafrique, reveals the harsh realities of living in a country beset by political unrest since 1997. He shares intimat...
Jul 10, 2023•52 min
Friends - this week, the best way to enjoy this episode is on YouTube ! Watch as Lilly and Dennis chop up his first Ethiopian meal - the classic dish, tibs! The recipe is below and you can enjoy the full experience on YouTub e as they prep the meal from start to 'done!' A special twist at the end where Lilly makes ugali for the first time…enjoy! Follow Dennis Ombachi: Instagram Twitter TikTok YouTube Follow Selam & Hello: Twitter Instagram Facebook Website Email us at: lilly@selamandhello.co...
Jul 03, 2023•23 min
This week on our show, Lilly delves into the intriguing life of Olympian, chef, international rugby player and winner of TikTok's Top Creator Africa in 2022 - Dennis Ombachi. They explore his multifaceted career path, personal life, and his journey from a young rugby prodigy to a content creator. Dennis also touches on significant milestones such as missing a second Olympic opportunity, and fatherhood that have profoundly shaped his life in the last few years. Dennis discusses how his initial en...
Jun 26, 2023•49 min
In this week's riveting episode, Lilly converses with Baba the Storyteller, a master griot who has spent three decades spinning tales of wonder and wisdom for global audiences. Inspired by history and a pursuit of self-knowledge, Baba narrates his journey from his roots in Compton, California to Senegal - and ultimately, across the world. Lilly and Baba journey together through tales of his heritage from enslaved Africans, to where Baba first learned the art of of the griot tradition - which ult...
Jun 19, 2023•1 hr 13 min
In this episode, Lilly engages in conversation with Irene Muchemi-Ndiritu, author of one of the hottest books of the year - " Lucky Girl ." Irene's journey is as compelling as her debut novel, taking her from a career in journalism, through media and communications, and finally leading her to her true passion – writing. Together, Lilly and Irene explore the making of "Lucky Girl," a book that explores the story of Soila, a young woman yearning for independence. Soila's journey takes her from the...
Jun 05, 2023•1 hr 8 min
My mother was my first country, the first place I ever lived. - Nayyirah Waheed This last week of May - we are celebrating mothers and people who mother around the world. In this (belated) Mother's Day episode, Lilly, sits down with her wonderful daughters, Saron and Selah, as they peel back the layers of their shared life experiences. Join them as they delve into the richness of their unique sibling relationships, spanning not just sisterhood, but also the nuanced dynamics with their brothers a...
May 29, 2023•45 min
In this episode, Lilly delves into the ongoing conflict in Sudan that has caused heart-wrenching loss, displacement, and turmoil. In the face of this dire situation, where over 1000 people have lost their lives since April 15th and countless more have been forced to leave their homes, Lilly invites three Sudanese nationals to lead us into the heart of Sudan, its vibrant culture, diverse people, and resilient spirit. Mohamed, Raga, and Elkhair are located across the world, but their hearts are in...
May 22, 2023•1 hr 11 min
In this episode, Lilly takes us on a journey through the lives of three Ethiopian and Eritrean students - Sophia, Daniel, and Mekides - from Blair High School in Maryland, USA. Their compelling discussion centers on the unique experience of being young diaspora members in 2023, an identity marked by cultural exploration, shared struggles, and a profound connection to their roots. They discuss their encounters with racism and the crucial role their heritage plays in shaping their resilience. They...
May 16, 2023•44 min
This week, we pick up where we left off last week with a continuation of our conversation with Gen Z! In part two of this eye-opening interview, Lilly dives deep with Nairobi's creative trailblazers Philo, Silas, Rick, and Thomas. They candidly share their perspectives on politics, mental health, and their aspirations for the future. Discover how and who influences their lives in different circumstances ranging from relationships and conflict resolution to career choices and wellness. And don't ...
May 08, 2023•36 min
According to the UN , Gen Z, the generation born between 1997 and 2011 and aged approximately between 12 to 26 years, is the most populous generation in the world. They are the first generation to grow up with the internet, a declining climate, war and terrorism as the norm and social media. As a result - they are different. In a recent Selam & Hello survey, our listeners said they wanted to hear more from 'young people and men.' So in today's show, Lilly sits down with four young men - all ...
May 02, 2023•54 min
This week Lilly sits down to share her thoughts one on one with listeners. As we watch the conflict in Sudan, the attack on Black lives in the US and the conflict and tension across the world, she echoes the question of writer Nanjala Nyabola : when the world is on fire, what do we owe each other? While there are no easy answers, could we all consider creating more justice and more joy as one way to respond to the fires we see all around us, everyday. Read Nanjala's article: In a World On Fire, ...
Apr 25, 2023•15 min
