Chris Muriithi is the CEO and founder of Bold Network Africa, a firm committed to telling real and inspiring stories of the African queer people through story telling over various platforms in an effort to demystify stereotypes and encourage acceptance. Chris previously worked as a journalist in different local media houses in Kenya and as a reporter in Africa for the BBC youth program. During their work as a journalist at BBC, Chris was nominated for an Emmy Award.  Chris helped campaign for change in Africa for the LGBTQ community by doing a webinar titled Out in Africa. 

2023 IVLP Impact Award Project: Human Enough Podcast

The Human Enough Podcast was an audio podcast series that served as a safe space where queer folks received trauma healing services from trained service providers. The podcast advocated for mental health, wellness, and rights advocacy for the queer community in Kenya through interviews and in-person events. Four episodes were sent to more than 1,000 queer listeners from Kenya, with listeners sharing their own experiences and educating each other on discriminatory laws. The episodes were shared via private channels to protect the privacy of the interviewees and listeners. Leaders working in the legal space were invited to educate queer individuals on their human rights and rights against bullying at work or in college.

"I hope that this podcast will help queer folks in Africa know that they are not alone and also feel they have a space that is willing to listen to their wins and challenges. I hope that this will help accelerate legislative change in many countries in Africa where being queer is criminalized." - Chris Muriithi

2022 IVLP Impact Award Project: Human Enough Docuseries

The docuseries "Human Enough" shared stories of the queer community designed to accelerate acceptance and educate society. In collaboration with Bold Network Africa, the docuseries included  storytelling that covered the what, who, how, why, when and where of the LGBTQ+ community. Through the docuseries, allies were educated about the different challenges and wins for the LGBTQ community. They learned how to be better allies and create safe spaces for queer folks. The stories featured successful ways of converting personal pain into powerful voices of change.

"As an older community member in Kenya, it was so refreshing to see young queer folks sharing their stories without fear. This gives courage and hope to the younger generation." - Docuseries viewer

IVLP Exchange Experience

Chris participated in the IVLP Projects A Global Moment in Time: Reflections on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in 2021 and 2023, both organized by the U.S. Department of State and Meridian International Center in partnership with the Colorado Springs World Affairs Council, Global Ties Detroit, WorldBoston, WorldChicago, Cleveland Council on World Affairs, Global Ties Kalamazoo, International Citizen Diplomacy of Los Angeles, Global Minnesota, WorldOrlando, Global Ties Arizona, WorldOregon, and Global Ties San Francisco.

Chris's exchange experience led them to develop their IVLP Impact Award Project: "I was inspired by Shay Franclausen in San Francisco to continue amplifying queer voices in Africa."

U.S. Communities Visited in 2023

San Francisco, CA; Washington, DC; Orlando, FL

U.S. Communities Visited Virtually in 2021

Phoenix, AZ; Los Angeles, CA; San Francisco, CA; Colorado Springs, CO; Washington, DC; Orlando, FL; Chicago, IL; Boston, MA; Detroit, MI; Kalamazoo, MI; Minneapolis, MN; Cleveland, OH; Portland, OR

Country: Kenya 

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