The first thing you need to know: her name is pronounced “Key-Bee-Bee.” Not Ki-Bye-Bye. Not Ki-Boo-Bee. It’s, Kibibi. Dillon. But more important than how to correctly pronounce her name is understanding her heart.
I was inspired by this fantastically funny and loving woman. Yesterday, she died. And to me, death means we’re experiencing it. We’re doing it. That thing we all have to do. Follow life into death. It’s inevitable, and yet it’s part of life.
Kibibi followed life. Wherever it took her, she went. Whether creating a salon in her living room, filling the Zipper with joy and dreams, or kicking it at a club with other comics, Kibibi lived her life.
We met about six years ago, and I remember watching one of her first stand up shows. For the past couple years, I had the honor of working with Kibibi and seeing her realize dreams. She’d always been funny. Knew how to MC an event. But she wanted to be a comedian. For real. She wanted to tell the same twenty minutes to people gig after gig. She wanted to clown the crowd. She wanted to hit eight clubs in one night. And she didn’t want to hear you think women aren’t funny.
When she moved back to California earlier this year, I missed saying good bye. That’s why I’m writing. To say thanks for inspiring me to follow where life leads. The night before she died, Kibibi did what she loved doing. She made people laugh. She made people think. She touched lives.
I challenge you to think about how you can touch others’ lives. Today, that is my meditation.
Thanks, Kibibi.
james carter 
This is a great goodbye, or rather, so long. I only knew of her, but she seems like an amazing, positive and powerful force…that doesn’t change. She still is. Especially, if posts like this and people like you keep her spirit alive through the arts. Thanks for sharing this. RIP Key-bee-bee.
Thank you for Sharing this. We don’t know each other but we both knew my dear and one of my best friends Kibibi. Her memory will live on through all those whom she touched through her laughter, her love, and her artistry. She truly represented what her name meant; [she was a] Beautiful Flower!
Thanks so much, B. She certainly was a Beautiful Flower. She’d be pleased she inspired so many.
A beautiful tribute to Kibibi. I didn’t know her. Before about fifteen minutes ago, I’d never heard her name. I was sitting here, missing a dear, dear friend of mine. He died in July. It was just recently that I stopped sending messages to his FB page. Still, I haven’t been able to stop looking at David’s page. I continue to check, not knowing what I’m checking for. I guess I just want to feel connected to him. Anyway, someone posted a New Year’s message, and ended it with a rest in peace to David and to Kibibi. I clicked the hyperlink before I’d even thought about it, and was immediately taken by a beautiful face with eyes that told me she was someone special. From her FB page, I googled her, and came upon your blog. I just wanted to let you know that your words touched me.
Blessings,
Linda
Linda, it’s never easy, but it does help to take solace in others support. Keep reaching out and sharing your story. Our loved ones live on in our hearts.