Kali Reis, an American professional boxer and actress, proudly identifies as both Cape Verdean and Native American. In addition to her involvement in sports and entertainment, Reis is an avid supporter of cultural heritage.
She completely recognizes her identity and origin and is an ardent supporter of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) cause. Read on to learn more about Kali Reis’ nationality and family. Kali Reis started boxing at the age of 14. She had a successful amateur career before turning professional.
Reis is best known as a former two-weight world champion who won the WBC female middleweight belt in 2016 and the WBA, WBO, and IBO female light welterweight titles from 2020 to 2022. Reis began her acting career in 2021 with the film “Catch the Fair One,” for which she was nominated for Best Female Lead at the Independent Spirit Awards. Later, in 2024, she was cast as a co-lead in “True Detective: Night Country.”
Beyond the ring, Reis is an advocate for the MMIWG movement, which prompted her collaboration with filmmaker Josef Kubota Wladyka on “Catch the Fair One.” Kali Reis demonstrates extraordinary versatility, having had an effect in both sports and entertainment through her boxing and acting professions.
Kali Reis’ Ethnicity: Where Is She From?
Reis was born on August 24, 1986, in Providence, RI. She is the youngest of five siblings, reared in East Providence by their mother. Klai Reis is proud of her background, claiming Cape Verdean ancestry and identifying as Cherokee and Nipmuc. Reis proudly identifies as a member of Massachusetts’ unrecognized Seaconke Wampanoag Tribe.
Furthermore, Kali stated that as a child, she actively participated in powwows, indicating her adherence to cultural traditions. Her boxing moniker, “K.O. Mequinonoag,” comes from her mother’s name, Mequinonoag, which means “many feathers” or “many talents.”
Furthermore, Reis is a staunch supporter and advocate for the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) cause. Later, filmmaker Josef Kubota Wladyka was inspired by Reis’ advocacy, motivating him to propose a collaborative project that resulted in the movie Catch the Fair One.
Kali Reis Family: Parents and Siblings
Patricia Rain Gentle and Edward Reis brought their son Reis into the world in 1986. Kali appears to have a close relationship with her mother, even though her father left when her parents separated. She regards her mother, Patricia, as the most important person in her life. Patricia raised Kali and her siblings on her own when her parents separated.
She instilled in her children a deep pride in their Seaconke Wampanoag heritage. Patricia also serves as their tribe’s medicine lady, providing invaluable spiritual guidance. In addition, Reis had four brothers, three males, and one sister. Kali claims that growing up, she tried to keep up with her two older brothers’ activities, which influenced her “tomboyish” and athletic nature.
Unfortunately, Reis lost one of her brothers, Drew, at the young age of 33. Later, she honored him by dedicating a battle to him, referring to him as her “real-life superhero.” Furthermore, Kali has a close relationship with her mother and her other siblings.
Also Read: Family Life and Hefty Net Worth Of Bumper Robinson
