Arts Culture & Entertainment

Joy Mwangi
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Joy Mwangi

Ada Animation

Arts Culture & Entertainment
2023

Joy Mwangi #ZuriAwards 2023 Arts and Culture Nominee is among the few female entrepreneurs that have dared to venture in the animation industry, a male dominated tank and has founded her own animation studio that is now aged 12 months.

She founded Ada Animation in September 2020,a pan-African Animation studio headquartered in Kenya that seeks to build a thriving industry in Africa that will in turn create employment for the youth and catalyze wealth creation opportunities. The studio is also present in two other countries: UK and South Africa. Her studio is the first in Kenya and one of the few in Africa that has successfully execute an all animation capacity building programme. Ada Animation Bootcamp is a three-month hybrid programme that provides ambitious African animators with the necessary skills, tools, mentorship and a platform to create their own stories and earn from them.

Beverly Jalango
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Beverly Jalango

Foreign Collective

Arts Culture & Entertainment
2023

Beverly Jalango #Zuri2023 Arts &Culture Nominee, Empowers the next generation through creativity and sustainability! Foreign Collective is inspiring youth with their innovative recycled arts program, while promoting eco-conscious living.

Waruguru Kiai
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Waruguru Kiai

Legal Advisor

Arts Culture & Entertainment
2023

Waruguru Kiai #ZuriAwards 2023 Arts and Culture Honoree is a Women and Youth Worker passionate about Leadership and Good Governance. She is a holder of a bachelorā€™s degree in Law, a Public Relations and Diplomacy Diploma from Mount Kenya University. She serves as a Legal Advisor and sits as a Director in the Youth Agenda Advisory Board. She is also a Ms. President Leadership Show Finalist, Obama Leaders Fellow, Africa Women Writers Fellow as well as a Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) Alumni founded by President Barack Obama. She is the Founder Village Girl Thoughts and Dreams, an online writerā€™s platform with over 298,000 followers, where she uses humor and satire to address societal issues ie Gender based violence, Post-Partum Depression, body positivity, mental health awareness, self-awareness and development affecting women and girls in Kenya, and across the Continent in simple English.

Ellie Lalaikipiain
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Ellie Lalaikipiain

Community Empowerment

Arts Culture & Entertainment
2022

Ellie became an Orphan at early age and took role of my both parents to manage and rise my eight siblings. Through the struggle and hardship and expose by life as a young girl she got pregnant at 14 yrs. And after a lot she was able to overcome challenges and turned it into opportunity to assist young girls and women on empowering Women, widows, Orphans, single mothers, and less privileged in the community.

Winnie Murithi
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Winnie Murithi

Wynton House of music

Arts Culture & Entertainment
2021

Winnie Muriithi Arts & Culture Nominee #ZuriAwards 2021 is the Founder of Wynton House of Music so the need to empower the youth with skills that can help them sustain a living within the future. By providing music education to people of all ages.

Mokeira Nyakundi
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Mokeira Nyakundi
Arts Culture & Entertainment
2020
Liz Kilili
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Liz Kilili

Creatives Garage

Arts Culture & Entertainment
2019
Matrid Nyagah
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Matrid Nyagah

Dada Trust/Fearless Films Ltd

Arts Culture & Entertainment
2024

Matrid Nyagah is a multifaceted creative powerhouse with a rich background in theatre arts and film technology. Armed with a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Kenyatta University and a Higher Diploma in Film from FilmAkademie Wurttemberg in Germany, Matrid is a visionary storyteller who has left an indelible mark on the world of cinema.

As the Co-founder and Executive Director of Fearless Films Limited, Matrid has championed groundbreaking projects that push boundaries and spark conversations. Her portfolio boasts a diverse range of work, from producing award-winning short films like ā€œLaufā€ to directing impactful virtual reality experiences such as ā€œIn My Head,ā€ shedding light on crucial issues like mental health.

In addition to her remarkable achievements in the film industry, Matrid is a fervent advocate for women in the arts. She is the founder of Dada Trust, a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering and celebrating women creatives. Through initiatives like the Udada International Womenā€™s Film Festival, Matrid shines a spotlight on African womenā€™s achievements in cinema, inspiring the next generation of storytellers.

With over thirteen years of experience in production, Matridā€™s talent and expertise extend far beyond the silver screen. She has lent her skills to projects like the acclaimed documentary ā€œSOFTIE,ā€ which premiered at Sundance in 2020, showcasing her versatility as a production manager.

From her groundbreaking work on films like ā€œWatu Wote,ā€ which received accolades at the Student Academy Awards and earned an Oscar nomination, to her recent international short film ā€œWhere The River Divides,ā€ Matrid continues to push creative boundaries and make an impact on audiences worldwide.

Beyond her contributions to the film industry, Matrid is a respected consultant, pastor, author, and hotelier, embodying the spirit of fearlessness and innovation in everything she does. With a passion for storytelling and a commitment to social change, Matrid Nyagah is a true force to be reckoned with in the world of cinema and beyond.

Precious Awour Owoko
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Precious Awuor

Walking Shadow Poetry Kenya

Arts Culture & Entertainment
2024

Meet Precious Awour Owoko, a visionary poet and the driving force behind Walking Shadow Poetry Kenya. With a passion for using poetry as a tool for healing and empowerment, Precious created this initiative to inspire individuals to overcome their struggles and find strength in their darkest moments.

Walking Shadow Poetry Kenya is more than just a platform for creative expression; itā€™s a beacon of hope in a world often plagued by selfishness and despair. Through her powerful poetry, Precious seeks to remind people that they are not alone in their pain and that there is always light at the end of the tunnel.

With over 50,000 followers on TikTok, Walking Shadow Poetry Kenya has already made a profound impact on countless lives, providing solace, inspiration, and a sense of community to those in need. Through her heartfelt words and unwavering dedication, Precious continues to uplift and empower individuals, helping them realize that they have the strength to overcome any obstacle life throws their way.

Judith Karigu Kiragu
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Ā Judith Karigu Kiragu

Lighthouse Chess Club

Arts Culture & Entertainment
2024

Meet Judith Karigu Kiragu, a woman of many talents! As the Director of Golden Key Ltd and Chairperson of the Association of Gaming Operators in Kenya, sheā€™s a force to be reckoned with in the business world. But thatā€™s not allā€”Judith is also a Project Manager, Management Consultant, and even a part-time lecturer!

Beyond her professional achievements, Judith is an accomplished author with three books under her belt, promoting good morals and ethics in society. Sheā€™s also played a pivotal role in developing Indigenous Language books for KICD.

But perhaps her most inspiring venture is the Lighthouse Chess Club, which she co-founded in 2017. This vibrant club, spanning Kenya and Uganda, focuses on empowering girls through chess. Under Judithā€™s guidance, the club has produced several National Chess Champions and continues to thrive with three teams in the national chess league.

Judithā€™s belief in empowering girls doesnā€™t stop there. Sheā€™s dedicated to connecting girls from all over Africa with Chess Grandmasters through innovative programs like Business Meets Chess & Kids and US Chess Women.

And letā€™s not forget her incredible work in film! Judithā€™s movie ā€œMukamiā€ is a true testament to girl empowerment, blending education, culture, and chess to inspire young girls to reach for the stars.