We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Shana Kelli Shihari B. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Shana Kelli below.

Alright, Shana Kelli thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

For me, Shana, I have always enjoyed entertaining people and making them laugh or in simple terms “feel”. Growing up I was acting in theaters, singing on stages, dancing, and speaking at events. I have always loved being on a stage and seeing people pulled to attention to the sound of my voice. In that moment they were removed from whatever was on their minds and focused on being present with me. I can not think of a specific time that it all clicked in for me to pursue a creative profession. However, when it comes to the podcast, I can tell you that it was an idea that lingered in my mind since 2019. It was then that I had been living in New York City for at least a year after moving from Mobile, Alabama. In college, I studied music and cardiorespiratory sciences while balancing my academics I often had a full performing schedule whether it was school ensembles or outsides groups, bands, productions, or competitions. Moving to NYC, I thought my performing lifestyle would come to a stop; however, I was then able to sing in showcases and open mics that allowed me to network. One of the opportunities was a Queer, trans podcast called “Topics Include”. I had never heard a podcast with an all trans cast with both trans feminine and trans masculine individuals. I fully enjoyed my experience on the pod and that was when the seed was planted. We all know that the next year was the pandemic and it was during that time I wanted an escape from working in the NYC hospitals watching people die and everyone else mentally break down from the stress. It was then I thought of making a podcast of my own and give people some joy. The person that came to mind to be my cohost was Shihari.

Shana called me up one day and said I was the best fit for the podcast. I told her that she had other options, but she continued to refute that I would be great and that I was the least problematic. I did not believe I was a good fit or entertaining enough for the job, but Shana assured me that I have been. I never thought I would be in a cohost situation. I would say this is how I came into this pursuing a creative path.
-Shihari B

Shana Kelli , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Shana Kelli is a Black, transgender, and pansexual woman and Shihari B is a Black, cisgender, and heterosexual man. They both met in college while pledging and later became friends. Both come from traditional households and performers of music which helped them to connect. After working in healthcare in Nyc during the pandemic, Shana wanted to cultivate a show that was focused on Black issues and Queer issues. When fleshing out the idea, She saw how many podcasts that included trans people didn’t have cis people or even include cisgender people in the conversation. “How can we expect for them to feel comfortable to talk, ask, and encounter us if we are always inside and yelling over the fence?” asked Shana. “I wanted to discuss various topics that affect the groups that I intersect with someone who was cis het to give and receive perspective.” This lead her to working with her best friend Shihari B. Many who have listened to the show have often noted the comedic chemistry between the two, but the questions or comments that the audience had on topics were often covered and gave them more understanding.

“I’m proud of mixing spirituality within the show and us pulling it off with our busy schedules,” says Shihari. I want the fans to be prepared for shade, lgbtqia+ topics, spirituality and friendship. In the end we remain friends despite our differences.”

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

“My particular goal is to continue to entertain and educate people of the various experiences of Black and Queer people. Often in America, Queer people have been dehumanized and seen as villains with evil agendas, but the reality is that we are people and want to live and enjoy life like everyone else. If that includes me giving my life stories and have discussions with my best friend to show people that we can coexist then lets broadcast these discussions.”
-Shana K.

” I want to provide the content needed to help the show and help Shana reach her goal. In my mind, I’m a background supporting character, but I am aware that I am not, Shana doesn’t allow me to be.”
– Shihari B

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

“I have enjoyed the opportunity to not only to express myself, but given more representation. I sometimes wonder if I had seen or encountered people like myself or even seen people like me and Shihari interact, would I have transitioned earlier. I wonder if I would have been less afraid to come out and less afraid of the possible life that comes with transitioning? Who knows, but I do know that the more we normalize the humanity in marginalized people the amount of fear and hatred towards them decreases. That is even why we created a scholarship for young Black Queer high schoolers for the past two years known as “A Reason to Sing Scholarship”. We have been/are constantly pushing for advancement.”
-Shana Kelli

“It is good when it’s finished and we have gotten feedback from our listeners. Whether they found enjoyment, enlightenment, or rejuvenation from our content.”
-Shihari B

Contact Info:

• Website: https://audioboom.com/channels/5055747-why-the-songbird-sings
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whythesongbirdsings/profilecard/?igsh=MTBidHJmYjN2ZGFpZg==

Image Credits

Lakesha Henry

Nitti Gritti Photography

Jessica Jones-Mostafa