Two Americans living abroad explore race and queerness in global contexts, and what identity looks like when you move to East Africa. Welcome to Episode 1 of Kisses from Kenya, a Democrats Abroad Kenya social podcast exploring Blackness, queerness, culture, and life as Americans in Nairobi.

In this first episode, hosts Vuyanzi (a Black American living in Kenya) and Brendan (a gay American living in Kenya) unpack the strange and surprising identity shifts that happen when you cross borders. Vuyanzi reflects on what it feels like to be “no longer Black” in a context where race functions differently, while Brendan explores how white privilege follows him even when the environment changes. Together they examine how identity travels, transforms, and sometimes contradicts itself in unexpected ways.

This episode looks at belonging, culture shock, safety, comfort, and the realities of navigating American identity abroad. It is candid, funny, and grounded in lived experience.

Chapters

• Introduction
• Whose America Is It Anyway?
• Identity shifts abroad
• Race, queerness, and privilege in Kenya
• What we are learning about ourselves
• Closing thoughts

Support the show

About the show Kisses from Kenya is a social and cultural podcast produced by Democrats Abroad Kenya. It explores personal stories about race, queerness, culture, politics, and the experience of being American in Nairobi. The views expressed on this podcast do not represent the official positions of Democrats Abroad Kenya, Democrats Abroad global, or the Democratic Party.

Listen, subscribe, and share If you enjoy conversations about language, identity, diaspora, and culture clash, subscribe for new episodes on a weekly(ish) schedule! You can find us on Youtube at ‪@KissesfromKenya and on all Podcast Platforms.

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Contact us Share your stories, questions, or comments at: [email protected]