Name: Kimya Nilsen
Where do you live? Downtown, Montclair
When did you move there? 2012 from 1 mile down Harrison Avenue in West Orange
Where did you grow up? Brooklyn BABY!!
How do you make a living? OR What is your everyday passion? I have jobs where I make money like as a Project Manager for Doddle & Co. a baby products company here in Montclair, or as a landlord for a couple of properties in East and West Orange. And I have the jobs that are pure passion like Operation Backpack which gathers backpacks filled with school supplies for kids living in homeless and domestic violence shelters. I’m passionate about children getting a fair shot! So I focus my charity work them, and as an adoptive parent I try to encourage others to consider the adoption option.
Coffee, tea or … ? Grande Soy Chai Extra Hot is my Starbucks chant, but on a rough morning (or afternoon) a cappuccino hits the spot.
What’s your idea of a perfect weekend day? Beach, BBQ or Travel, but the simplicity of sitting on the porch with friends and neighbors is quite enjoyable too.
What’s your favorite local restaurant? Mish Mish, La Salbuen and Red Eye are my go-tos. But I recently discovered the Trifongo at Cocina Candela, and I’m in LOVE!!!
What’s on your nightstand? My old skool 2nd edition Kindle with the Seven Wives of Evelyn Hugo (loved it), and Pachinko (just getting started), also a bunch of print outs of exercise routines I never actually do.
What are you listening to? The new NAS album, Nasir, and in the car, Sirius XM FLY station that plays R&B and Hip Hop from the 90s and the 2000s – you may see me dancing while driving around town.
What are your current indulgences? Salted caramel chocolate, homemade mango sorbet (it’s just about the only thing I’ll “cook” this summer). And during the school year, monthly movies at Claridge with The Matinee Club.
What talent you would most like to have? I love to dance, but it would be nice if I could sing along without harming others.
What’s the worst-kept (or best-kept!) secret about Montclair? It’s no secret to me that the people of Montclair know we are fortunate, and we are eager to find opportunities to give back.
What do you hope they say about you at your funeral? “She wouldn’t want us sitting around, so let’s get up and dance…and then go help somebody!”
Read more about Kimya’s work with Operation Backpack here.