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(bstu.av@gmail.com). The Up/Root jingle is performed and written by my graduating senior, Selah.
