Ángela Sierra is a Colombian-born journalist, communicator, and cultural activist whose impact on Montreal’s Latin American community is impossible to overlook. With a background in film, television, and social communication, she arrived in Canada thanks to a project with the Canadian TV network TVA, where she produced a documentary about displaced people affected by Colombia’s internal conflict.
Shortly after her arrival, Ángela joined a local organization then known as “Colombia nos invita,” which supported Colombians arriving en masse due to the country’s conflict. Together with its members, she helped launch the Colombia Cultural Week, leading its cultural programming. The event quickly gained popularity, attracting Latin American artists and eventually drawing support from consulates and the Ministry of Immigration.
This experience sparked the creation of Latinarte, an organization committed to working with the Latin American artistic community while presenting it to Quebec audiences on equal footing. Under Ángela’s leadership, Latinarte developed countless projects, including a YouTube magazine, cultural mediation initiatives, and a Latin artist club — all centered around the belief that “there is nothing more permeable than art, because it feeds on everyday life and lived experiences.”
From this same vision emerged Maison des Amériques, a physical space for entrepreneurs and the broader community, structured as a cooperative with 30 partners and $65,000 CAD in initial capital. When COVID-19 hit, the project was forced to pause — but the mission remained. The organization reinvented itself virtually and developed a new symbolic framework inspired by the colorful tiles found throughout Latin American culture.
The Maison des Amériques now features three symbolic spaces: the Key, which opens the door to the Latin world and grants access to workshops and cultural activities; the Balcony, a monthly newsletter presenting the Maison’s upcoming activities and a welcome space for entrepreneurs; and the Garage, a showcase where Latino entrepreneurs and artists can present their products and brands.
In 2019, October was officially declared Latin American Heritage Month in Quebec by law, and Ángela serves as president of the organization managing it. The initiative features a robust calendar of events curated by independent producers, turning every corner of Montreal into a space filled with Latin flavor. Last year’s edition featured a project called “El Barrio, Tu Barrio,” celebrating the love Latinos hold for the Jean-Talon neighborhood.
Ángela Sierra’s dream is to see a strengthened Latin community and a fully-developed Maison des Amériques with multiple event rooms and a community library. Her charisma, clear mission, and deep commitment to the community make her an inspiring example. Visit Café Latinarte at 911 Jean-Talon Street and let yourself be drawn into the countless stories this remarkable woman and her guests have to share.