On this episode, AfroQueer Podcast rebroadcasts an episode of Podcasting Smarter featuring Selly Thiam. Selly is the founder of AfroQueer podcast and AQ Studios.

She is a Senegalese-American journalist who has worked with NPR, the New York Times, and StoryCorps, and is passionate about documenting and sharing the stories and training others on documenting the stories of African LGBTQIA++ people. "Podcasting really allows people to connect on that personal level. And when someone is telling you their story or they're explaining a part of who they are or what they've done, it really allows for that deep further connection." In this episode, you will learn: 1. What it's like starting your own production company 2. What podcasting and the culture of podcasters is like within Kenya and on the African continent 3. How to create stories with a strong character-driven narrative

Podcasting Smarter is a production of Podbean. For more on audio storytelling you can find all the episodes of Podcasting Smarter on Podbean or wherever you find your podcasts.

AfroQueer is Executive Produced by Selly Thiam and is a production of AQ Studios.

Sound editing by Tevin Sudi . 

Our theme song is Pawa by Maia and the big sky.

AfroQueer is supported by The Wellspring Philanthropic fund and Luminate.

You can follow us on all social media platforms @AfroQueer Podcast and you can listen to all our episodes on our website aqstudis.fm or anywhere you get your podcasts.

Get ready for an exciting new season of AfroQueer! Season 5 is just around the corner, and we're thrilled to invite you to be a part of it. We're on the lookout for compelling, thought-provoking pitches that celebrate the diversity of the queer African experience.

Whether you're a storyteller, a journalist, an artist, or simply an everyday hero with a powerful narrative to share, AfroQueer Podcast wants to amplify your voice. We believe in the power of storytelling to inspire change and promote understanding.

If you have a story to tell or an idea that deserves the spotlight, visit our website at www.aqstudios.fm to submit your pitch. 

Stay connected with us and be the first to catch all the latest updates by following us on all social media platforms. Find us @afroqueerpodcast and join us on this incredible journey as we dive into Season 5. Let's make this season an unforgettable celebration of the vibrant and diverse voices within the queer African community!

AfroQueer is a production of AQ Studios.

Our theme song is Pawa by Maia and the big sky.

About 20 years ago, Marshall Ngwa moved from Cameroon to the US. He followed his instincts and became one of the country’s hottest drag artists, BeBe Zahara Benet. 

BeBe’s first-ever performance was with Cyndi Lauper and in 2009 he won the first-ever RuPaul’s Drag Race.

His extraordinary journey to that point and beyond has been captured in a documentary called ‘Being BeBe’. It was made by Emily Branham and filmed over 15 years. 

In this episode, AfroQueer host Selly Thiam sits down in conversation with BeBe, to explore his childhood in Cameroon, becoming the first RuPaul’s Drag Race champion, and the film Being BeBe. 

You can watch Being BeBe on Apple and Amazon Prime - broadcast premiere June 21st on Fuse. Also go to the film website beingbebemovie.com/ to find out where else you can watch it wherever you are in the world.

This episode was written and produced by Penny Dale. Sound editing by Tevin Sudi.  AfroQueer is executive produced by me, Selly Thiam.

AfroQueer is a production of AQ Studios.

Our theme song is Pawa by Maia and the big sky.

AfroQueer is supported by The Wellspring Philanthropic fund and The Ford Foundation.

You can follow us on all social media platforms @AfroQueer Podcast and listen to all our episodes on our website,.afroqueerpodcast.com or anywhere you get your podcasts.