Selam & Hello

Joy. Joy is a choice. Today artists extraordinaire June Gachui and Pete Odera join me to SING, talk, share what this year has been for them and how they have chosen joy in their work and personal lives. Many of you know June Gachui (@junegachui) for her many roles on stage as a speaker, singer, actress and host but she is also an intellectual property lawyer who is passionate about the law and artistic expression. June graces us with her voice, humor and shares what 2020 has taught her about herself. Pastor Pete Odera (@peteodera) joins us and shares three decades of wisdom from being a pastor, singer, producer, writer and mentor. As Pastor of Waterbrook Church and widely appreciated as godfather of Kenyan gospel music, Pete has walked valleys and reached mountain tops and shares why melancholy - and joy - are valuable. THANK YOU, friends, for listening to Up/Root this year. I am so grateful for you and would love to hear from you - send me a message at @uprootandlill on IG and Twitter or email: [email protected]. The last three episodes would not have been possible without the creative commitment of my seasonal producer, Mwari Muthaura. Thank you, dada! Up/Root is edited by Bukachi Akatsa ([email protected])and the show jingle is written and performed by my daughter Selah Piper.

Njeri Mwangi and I spend this episode talking, laughing and shedding a few tears as we talk about the importance of human rights. Njeri co-stars with her husband, activist Boniface Mwangi, and family in the documentary film Softie (https://www.softiethefilm.com/) which tells their story and invites us to see ourselves in the love, struggle and fears they experience as human rights defenders, parents and everyday citizens. Njeri is the co-founder of PAWA254 (https://pawa254.org/)and in this episode lets us into the hard questions and passions of her life as an activist committed to an equitable, democratic Kenya. You can watch Softie (@softiethefilm) at https://www.softiethefilm.com/watch and learn more about human rights from: Amnesty International (amnesty.org/@AmnestyKenya, National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders (defenderscoalition.org/@DefendersKE) and follow the adventures of the Throttle Queens on Twitter (@throttle_queens). Up/Root is edited by Bukachi Akatsa ([email protected])and the show jingle is written and performed by my daughter Selah Piper.

Welcome back to Up/Root! As the holidays approach - there are few things that I actually want - and none of them can be bought. Peace of mind is a gift that 2020 has tried to take from all of us and today my friend Julie Githiri-Goko (@julie_githirigoko)will give us practical advice on how to manage our stress, support our kids and enjoy the festive season. Julie is a psychodynamic psychotherapist and psychosexual therapist and has been practicing for over 15 years. She specializes in couples, individuals and adolescents who are experiencing relational conflict, anxiety, sexual trauma or depression. Up/Root is edited by Bukachi Akatsa ([email protected]) and the jingle is written and performed by my daughter Selah Piper.

This episode is a tribute to all the aunties, sisters, cousins, godmothers and women out there who make our lives so rich with laughter and wisdom! On today's show, sisters Annie and Shazz Nderitu, who are two of five siblings, share with us how they survived the Westgate terror attack, how they celebrate and support one another and why sisterhood is such an important part of their identity and lives. Shazz tells us how family inspires her work as a comedian and Annie lets us in on who the family favorite really is; their warmth and generous spirits will inspire you! You can find their original Engage talk that details their experience in the Westgate attack in full at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AYEPhDgkhs. Annie and Shazz are both available on IG; Annie, a psychotherapist is at @wellnessnowwithannie and Shazz, comedian, entertainer, writer and model is at: @queendom.blog. Our outdoor set was adorned with beautiful artwork, mini-jiko and plants courtesy of Provisions Kenya whose store is full of all things local, organic and creative. You can find them at: https://www.provisions.co.ke/ and on IG (@provisionskenya). This episode was recorded outside, hence the sounds of nature and edited by Bukachi Akatsa of BTSU studios([email protected]). The Up/Root jingle is performed and written by my daughter, Selah.

Today on the show we will continue in our series of topics on why Black Lives Matter by discussing why Black Journalism Matters with award-winning Kenyan journalist and filmmaker, Elijah Kanyi. Elijah is the 2017 and 2019 Annual Journalism Excellence Awards Journalist of the Year, an acclaimed investigative reporter with Africa Uncensored and founder of SautiTV, a mentoring program for young journalists. Elijah was born and bred in Mathare, one of Nairobi's poorest neighborhoods and considers himself a voice for his community. He has been reporting on inequity in health, education, and policing in Kenya and the region and his recent story for the BBC's African Eye entitled The Bullet and the Virus (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eb3rV5mhpmQ) is an important piece of reporting that exposes the unjust treatment of the poor in Kenya's slums during the pandemic. During our conversation, Elijah schools me on why word choice matters, the importance of representation and ultimately – in this historic moment why Black Journalism matters so very much. You can follow Elijah on Twitter at @ElijahKanyi and learn more about equity work in Mathare from two Mathare-based organizations: Mathare Roots Youth Center (Twitter: @Mathare_Roots) and Mathare Social Justice Center (Twitter: @MathareSJustice). This episode was edited by Bukachi Akatsa of BTSU studios([email protected]). The Up/Root jingle is performed and written by my graduating senior, Selah.

Black Lives Matters - and so does Black Joy! In part two of our series, Christian Lwanda joins us and shares how he defines joy, what his grandmother Selah taught him and how he walks with both joy and suffering in his life. We shared experiences and laughter in this conversation as well as the strengths of Kenyan culture that have guided the country through generations of change and resistance. Shout out to local artists whose incredible home goods were a part of our set: Love Artisan (IG: @loveartisan), Tira Student (IG: @tirastudio) and Tope Ceramics (IG: @tope_kenya). This episode was recorded and edited by Wambui Ngombo for Blackink Films ([email protected]). The Up/Root jingle is written and performed by my daughter Selah.

Today I talk to you from my home and my heart. "Black lives matter" is a cry that has been heard worldwide as protests in over 60 countries have shaken the world. It's also what we tell our Black children and ourselves as we face the world - and wherever we are in the world. Black lives are a triumph and Up/Root is embarking on a new series to explore the complexity and power of our community and this movement. Black lives matter - and so does Black joy, Black teachers, Black families, Black Black history, Black music, Black research and on and on. Subscribe so you don't miss any of the upcoming episodes and Send us your suggestions and ideas at [email protected] or on IG and Twitter at @uprootandlill. Lastly, the Black Lives Matter movement began in 2013 after the acquittal of the Trayvon Martin's murderers; I mistakenly stated it began in 2014 after Michael Brown was murdered by police. You can learn more about the BLM movement here: https://blacklivesmatter.com/. Special thanks to Allisha Alzan for the audio and video at the beginning of this episode. This episode was edited by Bukachi Akatsa of BTSU studios([email protected]). The Up/Root jingle is performed and written by my daughter Selah.

Daniya, Mandisa and Jason join Up/Root today for a live show from the International School of Kenya and enlighten us on what makes them "proud to be me." Identity certainly develops throughout life and these cross-cultural students who have grown up between cultures and countries took us to school about the assumptions they face and how they navigate expectations in their families, schools, and communities. They offer us insight and wisdom and many reasons to feel hopeful about the future. Dan Adachi ([email protected])recorded and edited this episode. The Up/Root jingle was written and performed by Selah Piper.

Do you remember your senior year of high school? Thoughts of the future, prom, freedom, finally graduating? The pandemic has put a damper on the plans - but not the spirits - of graduating secondary students across the world. Today on Up/Root, five students - Hilary, Jaya, Matias, Selah and Troy - share their thoughts on the "new normal" of their lives, their thoughts on the future and how they are staying positive during this pandemic. Oh to be young again! These students are the real deal and will bolster your belief in the future. This episode was edited by Bukachi Akatsa of BTSU studios([email protected]). The Up/Root jingle is performed and written by my graduating senior, Selah.

Health is a human right - and in a pandemic, human rights must continue to be protected and promoted. Irungu Houghton, Kenya Executive Director of Amnesty International joins Up/Root to share his thoughts on how humane policing, good citizenship and community involvement are critical elements for any country to survive a crisis. Irungu has spent his professional career fighting corruption and speaking up for vulnerable communities. In this episode, he highlights what is making him hopeful and the ways each of us can be human rights advocates where we are - even in a midst of a global pandemic. One way you do just that is to consider giving to Food for Education (www.food4education.org); locally, you can give via Mpesa (Paybill 596428, A/C: Donation) or internationally via PayPal. They have already served thousands of children who are out of school daily meals and with our help, can continue to do so throughout this pandemic. This episode was edited by Bukachi Akatsa of BTSU studios([email protected]. The Up/Root jingle is performed and written by my daughter, Selah.