Andrea Diaz sat down with Kilimppi Mambo to share his story with Americanos Magazine readers across Canada and beyond. Born José Reyes in Santiago de los 30 Caballeros, Dominican Republic, Kilimppi is an artist and community leader deeply proud of his Dominican roots and his role in strengthening the Latin American community in Canada.
The story behind the name. In 1999, while managing a musical group called “Las Mujeronas de la Bachata” in the Dominican Republic, Kilimppi received a life-changing phone call from his wife, who was already living in Canada. She told him their son had just been born on July 27, 1999. In an emotional moment before a television interview, he asked about his “Kilimppi Yodi” — and a friend immediately told him to write that name down. That nickname became his artistic identity.
Facing challenges. For Kilimppi, difficulties are motivators rather than obstacles. They are the barriers you must overcome to prove to yourself that you are capable of achieving anything you set your mind to, with the help of God, a strong team, and the audience that ultimately makes your dream real.
Building community. Kilimppi is the president of Fundación Quisqueya, a foundation created 10 years ago to support Dominican children. He is also the driving force behind “La Parada,” a Multicultural Month celebration held every August, now reaching its tenth edition. The event unites countries like El Salvador, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Cuba, Panama, Mexico, Venezuela, and many more in a powerful display of Latin American solidarity in Canada.
His message is clear: Latinos in Canada support each other far more than people believe, and community strength is what turns individual dreams into collective success.
Interview by Andrea Diaz — @andreadiaznyc