entrepreneur
Cultural Curator & Entrepreneur
I’ve been in the bookselling and community-building space since 2015.
After years in advertising and brand-building roles, I served as the lead in marketing for the biggest bookshop chain in Kenya for five years where I established and hosted the largest corporate-sponsored book club.
After that, I transitioned into entrepreneurship by founding Soma Nami Books, a book lovers hub comprising of a bookstore, book club, book subscription service, and community forum.
I am also the founder and curator of Books & Wine (a community of books and wine enthusiasts), where we explore and discover wines and literary works in an inclusive community setting.
reading advocate & podcaster
As a reading advocate and podcaster, my work is invested in building communities and establishing connections.
Books & Wine, the podcast was started with the aim of demystifying the world of books and that of wine. On the podcast, I host guests who are both experts and enthusiasts to share their experiences and recommendations.
My mission is to help readers understand that books can be an amazing source of life-changing ideas as well as entertainment. In addition, I also hope to inspire people who drink wine to try something new every now and then by sharing my knowledge on how to pair wine with different foods and dishes.
I believe that everyone has something wonderful to share so I’m always looking for opportunities to connect with readers who want to learn more about books or just have questions about what they’re reading!
The Soma Nami Podcast is part of the Soma Nami Books brand that I co-host with Muthoni Muiruri. On the podcast, we explore the intersection of literary art with life, culture and current affairs from a Pan-African lens. The show format is a blend of guests, interviews, commentary, and special features, where we fearlessly engage with decolonial thought.
We are dedicated to developing radical thinkers who are willing to engage in dialogue with those who hold opposing views or perspectives. We believe in fostering an environment where ideas can be exchanged freely and respectfully.
PODCASTER
moderator
Events Host & Moderator
I am a passionate communicator and facilitator. As a moderator and host for events, I bring people together to create meaningful conversations that benefit both the audience and the speakers. I regularly moderate panels and discussions about topics ranging from wine tastings to global health, bringing together people from varying backgrounds in order to discuss important issues facing our community today.
I am a host of Columbia Global Centre’s Africa Book Talk Series, which invites authors from across Africa to speak directly with members of the global audience about their work, as well as their own personal experiences that have informed the stories they’ve told.
The Nairobi centre is one of 9 regional hubs positioned around the world by Columbia University. The centre facilitates collaborations in research and education between Columbia Faculty, Students and Alumni with regional partners.