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Selam & Hello
By Lilly Bekele-PiperSociety & Culture
Selam & Hello episodes
- There is Joy in Justice - Lilly has something to say
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, What Do We Owe Each Other?
Learn more about Amnesty International.
Follow Selam & Hello:
- Website
Email us at:
Music Credits: Lone Tree - Woman (ft. Bensoul)
Production by: Sahihi Africa Productions
16 min - Inappropriate, Necessary African Laughter
*This episode contains (limited) mature content at 34:30-50, 51:19-51:39, and 52:00-52:45
Selam and Ha Ha Hello, everyone! In this episode, join Lilly as she participates in inappropriate, necessary, African laughter with Nairobi's Punchline comedians, Eric and Shazz. Lilly, Eric, and Shazz explore Eric's and Shazz's journey into comedy and talk about the experiences that brought them into this funny business. From naked men at funerals to 'performance-enhancing' drugs in China - Eric and Shazz take us on a hilarious and wild ride on what inspires and informs two of comedy's hardest-working artists. Eric talks about how comedy is a tool for reclaiming power and can be a medium for self-reflection for both the comics and audiences, while Shazz shares how comedy has become a way to process grief and to have important conversations about topics such as body image, sex, and relationships. They also talk about their different approaches to comedy and how the goal is ultimately the same - to connect and relate to other people and of course, make them laugh. Lilly also tries her hand at comedy and tells a couple of jokes, let us know in the comment section if you think there's a possible future in comedy for our host!
Follow Eric & Shazz
- Eric - Instagram
- Shazz - Instagram
- Punchline Comedy Club - Website and YouTube
- Sticks and Stones
- Check out Distant Relatives 2 on May 6 and 7th - tickets will be available on the Punchline Website.
- Punchline Comedy hosts a weekly comedy workshop on Mondays at Two Grapes from 6:30pm.
Follow Selam & Hello:
- Website
Email us at:
Music Credits: Lone Tree - Woman (ft. Bensoul)
Production by: Sahihi Africa Productions
1 hr 4 min - Black, Queer, Beloved
Warning: This episode contains mention of suicide from 14:30-15:40.
In this episode Lilly talks to writer, journalist, podcaster, and queer activist, Kevin Mwachiro. Kevin shares his journey of being an active member in the church, traveling to the UK for his masters, spending years of his career at the BBC - all while finding his voice and eventually - becoming a human rights activist. Now age 50, he candidly shares the challenges that he has faced in the search of self-acceptance. He explores the joy and beauty of accepting who he is and sharing that with the people he cares most, and fortunately for us - with the world through his writing, activism and podcast, 'Nipe Story'. Kevin and Lilly explore Kevin's journey as a queer activist and how his desire to create a seat at the table for everyone has evolved into a lifelong dedication to accomplishing that dream. He shares his faith in the younger generations and his hope for safe and inclusive spaces for members of the LGBTQI community in Kenya and beyond. Kevin also shares intimate details of his journey with cancer and how that has changed his perspective on life and has pushed him to embrace life and live it in the most authentic way possible.
Follow Kevin
- Medium
- Nipe Story
- Kevin's book - Invisible: Stories from Kenya's Queer Community
- Kevin's TEDx and Engage talk
Follow Selam & Hello:
- Website
Email us at:
Music Credits: Lone Tree - Woman (ft. Bensoul)
Production by: Sahihi Africa Productions
1 hr 13 min - When Sex Work Isn't a Choice
Warning: This episode contains themes of sex, sex work, and trafficking
In Nairobi alone - over 40,000 women are engaged in transactional sex work. In this episode, Lilly engages in a powerful conversation with Eunice Mathu, the founder of the Rejesha Project. Discover how Eunice's an experience on the Kenyan coast made her aware of the sex work and trafficking industry in Kenya which led her to launch an innovative project that is offering transformative care and better economic opportunities for sex workers in Nairobi. Lilly and Eunice delve into the heartbreaking realities of poverty that often drive women to engage in sex work and how the Rejesha Project provides a judgment-free safe haven for these women to connect and find a way out. Hear firsthand from Angela*, a brave woman who shares her inspiring journey from casual worker to sex worker to entrepreneur.
*Angela's name has been changed for the purposes of this episode.
Follow the Rejesha Project:
- Website
Kenya Sex Work and Violence in Kenya - 2020 Report from Kenya Sex Workers Alliance
Follow Selam & Hello:
- Website
Email us at:
Music Credits: Lone Tree - Woman (ft. Bensoul)
Production by: Sahihi Africa Productions
1 hr 12 min - Poverty Has an Expiration Date
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, a 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 is engaging over 4000 students in computer classes to equip them with the tools they need to work remotely for any company, anywhere - right from their own villages. And they are just getting started; they are currently selecting their next 100 schools in Kenya, to prepare an additional 40,000 students for the digital economy. Lilly and Nelly explore the childhood experiences that inspired Nelly to find solutions for poverty and Nelly shares how TechLit Africa grounds the ownership of their work in the local communities and schools that participate in their programs. Nelly closes the show with a song to her mom - the most selfless woman she knows and the one person she is determined to show the world.
Follow Nelly:
- Website
Follow Selam & Hello:
- Website
Email us at:
- [email protected]
- [email protected]
- Music Credits: Lone Tree - Woman (ft. Bensoul)
- Production by: Sahihi Africa Productions
50 min - Being Human With Other People (E)
Trigger Warning: This episode features discussion of suicide and includes use of explicit language.
Join us as we continue our celebration of Women's History Month with this conversation between Lilly and Christine Yohannes, a gifted writer, poet, and playwright. Through their powerful exchange, they explore the profound impact of words and poetry, which have left an indelible mark on cultures across the continent. Christine shares her life journey, growing up in Ethiopia, and how her expression in multiple languages has led to connection and creation of artistic work. She attributes her journey to the love and support she has received from her family, friends, and fellow artists, who have been instrumental in helping her find her voice. Lilly and Christine delve into the creative process that resulted in her first play, Total Destruction, and touch on her upcoming project, which has been inspired by an incredibly personal experience and promises to be a testament to her profound talent and resilience. Join us as we explore the beauty and power of words with Christine Yohannes on this World Poetry Day.
Follow Christine's Work:
- YouTube
Follow Selam & Hello:
- Website
Email us at:
Music Credits: Lone Tree - Woman (ft. Bensoul)
Production by: Sahihi Africa Productions
55 min - The Living History of the African Woman
In a continuation of our celebration of Women's History Month - Lilly talks to Samba Yonga - award-winning journalist, cultural curator, and co-founder of the Women's History Museum of Zambia. Samba co-founded the digital museum in 2017 with Mulenga Kapwepwe to 'research and restore African indigenous narratives, knowledge, and living histories' - entirely focused on women. Samba walks Lilly through the journey of revelation that began when she saw a Zambian exhibit in a Swedish museum and dared to ask how they could digitally repatriate those Zambian artifacts and narratives to their rightful home and source communities. Samba explores the importance and justice of knowledge creation and distribution, validating original sources and moving away from patterns of western museology. Lilly and Samba talk about the impact that the work of the Women's History Museum of Zambia has had - from parents using it to educate their children about their heritage to men confirming how learning about their history has shifted how they view and value women's place in their communities and societies.
Follow Samba and The Women's History Museum of Zambia
- Website: https://www.whmzambia.org/
- Instagram: Samba Yonga & The Women's History Museum of Zambia
- Twitter: Samba Yonga & The Women's History Museum of Zambia
- Facebook: The Women's History Museum of Zambia
- Linktree
Follow Selam & Hello
- Website
Email us at:
Music Credits: Lone Tree - Woman (ft. Bensoul)
Production by: Sahihi Africa Productions
50 min - My Feet Are My Only Carriage
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 driven by the spirit of "Harambee," which has enabled them to bring the running legacy of East Africa to the world. Navalayo shares her strong belief in the unity of the continent and how "buying Black" is how we continue to build the industries created on African soil. And in the spirit of International Women's History Month, Lilly and Navalayo talk about the incredible women that have walked the journey with Navalayo and have served as a source of inspiration and encouragement as she goes through her career journey.
Follow Enda and Navalayo:
- Website: https://ke.endasportswear.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/navalayoosembo/ & https://www.instagram.com/endasportswear/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/NavalayoOsembo & https://twitter.com/endasportswear
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EndaSportswear?_rdc=1&_rdr
Follow Selam & Hello:
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/selamandhello?s=11&t=IaPUlNRBwhaymLBNgVBoew
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/selamandhello?igshid=Zjc2ZTc4Nzk=
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/selamandhello/
Learn more about Abebe Bikila's historic 1960 Olympic gold medal win for Ethiopia
Email us at:
Music Credits: Lone Tree - Woman (ft. Bensoul) Production by: Sahihi Africa Productions
50 min - Love Yourself, Love Your Hair
Selam Emiru, the founder of Glisen, guides Lilly on a hair care - and hair love - journey in this week's episode. Selam shares how her own journey of learning to care for her hair led her to use her background in tech to create Glisen - a free platform that offers women resources to help them understand, nurture, and love their hair. With the Black hair care industry set to reach the trillion-dollar mark by 2026, it is evident that Black women are spending more time and money than ever managing their hair. Selam helps Lilly navigate the vital conversation on how hair and its functions - as a source of beauty, culture, and identity - can also be a source of strength and power. They unpack an embarrassing hair story from Lilly's life, talk through Habesha beauty norms and hear from two of Selam's daughters what they love most about their hair. Most importantly, they explore how women can enjoy their hair by handling it in a manner that allows for ease and joy.
Follow Selam:
- Website: https://glisen.me/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glisen.me/
- Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/glisendotme/
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsZSOhnUs2yX6x8tx8tY1gw
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glisen.me
Follow Selam & Hello:
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/selamandhello?s=11&t=IaPUlNRBwhaymLBNgVBoew
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/selamandhello?igshid=Zjc2ZTc4Nzk=
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/selamandhello/
Email us at:
Music Credits: Lone Tree - Woman (ft. Bensoul)
Production by: Sahihi Africa Productions
54 min - Power in the Culture
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 his time spent on the continent working with governments and communities to try and improve learning outcomes and returns for families and children. Ben and Lilly share why they believe there are 'genuises' in our midst, what they believe they got wrong as parents and why they are eternal African optimists.
Follow Ben:
- Website: https://www.gatesfoundation.org/about/leadership/benjamin-piper
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/benlpiper
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benjaminpiper/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-piper-42a89a32/
Lilly's shout outs:
- Enzi Footwear: https://enzi.com/
- Rosa Abyssinica Leather bags: https://www.instagram.com/rosaabyssinica/?hl=en
Follow Selam & Hello:
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/selamandhello?s=11&t=IaPUlNRBwhaymLBNgVBoew
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/selamandhello?igshid=Zjc2ZTc4Nzk=
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/selamandhello/
Email us at:
Music Credits: Lone Tree - Woman (ft. Bensoul)
Production by: Sahihi Africa Productions
39 min
About Selam & Hello
From the publisher's feed
Selam & Hello is a show featuring stories of joy and justice from Africa and the diaspora. Produced in Kenya for global audiences - Selam & Hello curates conversations on identity and culture…
that inform, entertain and uplift.