The U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism continued to advance its air service development strategy at Routes Americas 2026, held March 3–5 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. During the event, the delegation met with key airline and airport partners to reinforce collaboration, strengthen long-term relationships, and support continued connectivity growth for the territory.
Members of the U.S. Virgin Islands delegation meet with a representative from Sun Country Airlines at the U.S. Virgin Islands booth during Routes Americas 2026 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Submitted photo)
During the three-day forum, official meetings were held with Breeze, Copenhagen Airport, Delta, Southwest, United, Porter Airways, Denver Airport, and JetBlue. Conversations centered on strengthening relationships, sustaining momentum for the destination, and identifying practical next steps that support continued growth in access to the territory.
Commissioner Jennifer Matarangas-King emphasized the value of direct engagement with airline partners and airport leaders in one setting. “Routes Americas gives us a focused opportunity to sit down with the teams shaping airline network decisions and talk through what travelers are looking for, what markets are performing, and where the next opportunities are for the U.S. Virgin Islands,” said Commissioner Jennifer Matarangas-King of the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism. “We are continuing to work closely with airline partners that currently operate flights to St. Thomas while exploring opportunities to expand service to St. Croix, where strong demand and yield signal clear potential for additional airlift. Our goal is to keep building smart, sustainable air access that supports our tourism economy and makes it even easier to reach our islands.”
In addition to the scheduled meetings, the delegation also connected with regional partners and tourism leaders, including the Caribbean Tourism Organization, as well as colleagues from Jamaica, Anguilla, Barbados, Turks and Caicos, and other destinations. These conversations reinforced the importance of collaboration across the region, particularly as Caribbean destinations align on shared challenges and opportunities tied to air access, traveler demand, and seasonal patterns.
Routes Americas is recognized as a leading platform for air service development in the region, combining one-to-one meetings with networking events designed to support decision making across airlines, airports, and destinations. The U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism will continue follow-up discussions initiated in Rio as part of its ongoing work to strengthen air connectivity and support the long-term growth of the territory’s visitor economy.
The Virgin Islands Literary Festival and Book Fair will celebrate its 12th annual gathering of writers, scholars, and readers from April 9–12, under the theme “Caribbean Literature: A Force of Representation.”
Virgin Islands Literary Festival and Book Fair
Founded at the University of the Virgin Islands’ College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences and now presented in partnership with The Caribbean Writer under the auspices of the St. Croix Foundation for Community Development, the festival has become one of the Caribbean’s leading literary events. The annual gathering highlights regional voices while connecting the Virgin Islands to the global literary community.
“We are delighted to celebrate our 12th year,” said VILF Chairperson Alscess Lewis-Brown, editor of The Caribbean Writer. “This year is especially meaningful as the festival coincides with the 40th anniversary of The Caribbean Writer, the University’s internationally respected literary journal.”
The four-day festival will feature author readings, panel discussions, workshops, school visits, and cultural events designed to engage readers, students, educators, and aspiring writers.
The festival opens Thursday with author visits to St. Croix schools, followed by scholarly paper presentations from writers whose work was selected through The Caribbean Writer’s call for papers. An opening reception will be held that evening at Government House.
Friday’s program will include keynote panels and interactive workshops, offering participants opportunities to engage directly with authors, scholars, and publishing professionals. The evening will culminate with the popular Book Bacchanal at the Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts, where the public is invited to meet and hear readings from award-winning writers.
Saturday begins at 7 a.m. with the beloved Bush Tea Morning Social, a lively cultural gathering featuring traditional bush tea, Caribbean cuisine, poetry, music, and conversation. The day continues with panel discussions, workshops, a special film screening, and book-signing opportunities at Undercover Books & Gifts. The evening will feature an Ekphrastic Poetry Competition at Cane Roots Art Gallery in Times Square.
The festival concludes Sunday with the Children’s LitFest at the Children’s Museum of St. Croix, followed by the online Writers’ Roogoodoo, a virtual gathering where writers—particularly those published in The Caribbean Writer—share their work with audiences around the world.
Lewis-Brown said the festival plays an important role in elevating Virgin Islands voices while fostering connections throughout the Caribbean and beyond.
“The festival showcases local writers and thinkers while building bridges across the region and the world,” Lewis-Brown said. “It also provides meaningful opportunities for emerging authors to share their work and expand the region’s creative output.”
The festival offers students, teachers, and aspiring writers rare opportunities to engage directly with accomplished authors, scholars, and publishers through workshops, readings, and discussions that encourage creativity and critical thinking.
Each year, approximately 300 participants attend the festival, representing a diverse mix of ages, professions, and cultural backgrounds. The gathering strengthens community engagement while building lasting networks that extend beyond the Virgin Islands to regional and international literary circles.
A highlight of this year’s festival will be the appearance of award-winning novelist Edwidge Danticat, who first published in The Caribbean Writer in 1987. Lewis-Brown noted that her return represents a powerful full-circle moment.
“Her journey—from early publication in The Caribbean Writer to global literary acclaim—demonstrates what is possible for emerging writers,” Lewis-Brown said.
Other authors participating in the 2026 festival include Channa Bannis, Desmond Hall, Vashti Harrison, Donna Hemans, David Knight Jr., Kelly Starling Lyons, Marsha Messiah, Breanna J. McDaniel, Annie Paul, Shaun Pennington, Leon Perkins, Raven Phillips, Kenneth Ramchand, Nanda Reddy, Etaf Rum, Cathy Mae Sitaram, Louise Stapleton and Richard Warburg. Author biographies are available at www.usvilitfest.com.
The festival is supported by several community partners and sponsors, including the St. Croix Foundation for Community Development; The Buccaneer Hotel; the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism; the University of the Virgin Islands College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences; UVI Cooperative Extension Service; UVI Research and Technology Park; the Virgin Islands Department of Education’s Division of Cultural Education and Division of Curriculum and Instruction; Diageo; the VI Lottery; The Virgin Islands Daily News; the Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts; and The Caribbean Writer.
Community donations, both monetary and in-kind, are also welcomed to help support the territory’s literary tradition. Contributions may be made payable to the St. Croix Foundation for Community Development on behalf of the VI Literary Festival.
2026 Virgin Islands Literary Festival Event Schedule
Date
Event
Location
Thursday, April 9
Author Visits to Schools and Scholarly Paper Presentations
Partners for Strings Virgin Islands Youth Orchestra’s recent performance at the 2026 St. Croix Agriculture and Food Fair, where they debuted the Reggae hit, “Roller Skates,” on Feb. 15. (Photo courtesy Partners for Strings)
Soup is often considered the ultimate soothing meal and, similarly, music touches the soul. Partners for Strings is bringing these two components together, while raising money for its free after-school youth program.
The public is invited to the Partners for Strings Virgin Islands Youth Orchestra’s first signature fundraising event, the “V.I. Soup Masters Competition,” on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Emancipation Garden on St. Thomas.
The public will enjoy tasting various soups and voting for their favorites, as well as dynamic live music and fun family activities.
Different restaurants and non-restaurant companies are providing soups in various categories, including Seafood Chowder and popular options like Chicken, Vegetable, Pea, Pumpkin, and Vegan. Other favorite soup entries include Goat Water and Sancocho, a hearty Dominican mixed meats soup.
On board to deliver their best soups and dishes are the St. Thomas Federal Credit Union, We Grow Food Inc., Love Livin’ Vegan (Catering), An Hour Late/Dive Bar/Pit & Pickle Provisions, BurgerMaxx, Redeemed Christian Church of God, Nomads Hull Bay Bar and Grill (who teamed with the USVI Office of Gun Violence Prevention), Hart’s Kitchen, Rancho Latino, and Cravin’ Crabs. Bread will be provided by House of Patries Bakery and Deli.
Soup Tasting Tickets can be purchased before and during the event. A Book of Five Tasting Tickets is $25, and single tickets are $5. Soup tasters are encouraged to take it to the next level and vote for their favorite soups. Each Soup Taster will receive a Voting Token to cast their vote by placing their token in a Voting Bin next to their soup choice. The votes will be tallied at 1 p.m. and the awards ceremony for the first place winning soups in each category will take place at 1:30 p.m.
The “V.I. Soup Masters Competition” event co-hosts are George Silcott II and Kandis Gumbs, along with guest host, Chef Benjamin Kraft of St. Thomas Cooks. These hosts will share details about the event and “talk soup;” that is, giving their thoughts about the different soups. The event will be live streamed on social media to catch all the action, but attending the event is the only way to experience pure deliciousness.
Founded by Gloria Gumbs in 2020, Partners for Strings runs the Partners for Strings Virgin Islands Youth Orchestra. The free after-school program for at-risk youth, ages 6 to 17, offers weekly training in orchestral instruments at G-Clef Music Academy on St. Thomas. These instruments include the violin, cello, brass, woodwinds, percussion, and steel pan. Administrative support is provided through Miami Music Project, a transformative orchestra program based in Miami-Dade County.
PFS also offers “Youth Orchestra Afternoons in the Summer,” a month-long intensive training opportunity held in June to welcome new recruits. The summer program includes “Musician’s Elevation Workshops,” led by master musicians from the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra. The summer program helps jumps-start new recruits and enhances the skills of current members.
The whole family will be entertained with live music by the event’s main performer — the Partners for Strings Virgin Islands Youth Orchestra. They will feature Quelbe, Reggae, Jazz, Classical, and Pop music. Unique orchestral arrangements in the lineup include: The Black national anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing”; a Latin-style version of the Jazz standard, “Take Five”; an historic Quelbe medley, “Sly Mongoose” and “Queen Mary,” and Steel Pulse’s Reggae classic, “Roller Skates,” which will have its debut performance on St. Thomas.
These selections first appeared at the St. Croix Agriculture Food Fair’s 54th AgriFest and were arranged by the multi-talented Kandis Gumbs. Several other special guests will also perform and fun activities, such as face painting and giant games, will make it an amazing family event.
“We appreciate the dedication of our students, parents and partners who are making this event successful,” said Gumbs. “They include G-Clef Music Academy, J. Benton Construction, Keswick Insurance, A90films, Happy Times Entertainment, Creative Marketing Center, KLR Restaurant Supplies, Rashida A. Hodge Charitable Fund, Discover Fund Management, LLLP, Thriving Charity Advocates, and Lew Henley’s Sewage Disposal.”
For more information about Partners for Strings, Inc.’s V.I. Soup Masters Competition, call 340-228-1126 or visit www.partnersforstrings.org.
Federal marshals and other law enforcement officers were stationed outside the Superior Court building on St. Thomas as trial proceedings continued (Source photo by Judi Shimel)
Editor’s Note: The story has been updated to reflect the court proceedings.
A defendant on trial in a St. Thomas kidnapping and torture case was shot and killed Thursday morning, just hours before jurors began deliberating in Superior Court.
The body of 32-year-old Desie C. Henry Jr. was found unresponsive shortly before 9 a.m. in the Paul M. Pearson Gardens Housing Community. The Virgin Islands Police Department reported that its ShotSpotter system detected five rounds fired in the area at approximately 8:43 a.m.
“At approximately 8:43 a.m., the ShotSpotter system detected five rounds fired in the area. Shortly after the alert multiple calls were received that a person was down. Responding officers arrived on the scene and confirmed the incident as a homicide,” police said in a report posted to the department’s Facebook page.
Henry was on trial alongside co-defendant Troy Harrigan in the case People of the Virgin Islands v. Troy Harrigan and Desie C. Henry, which stems from allegations that the two men abducted Percival Pringle on Sept. 13, 2020, in an attempt to extract money.
Despite the sudden development, court proceedings continued.
Superior Court Judge Denise Francois instructed jurors shortly after noon and sent them to deliberate in the case against Harrigan. During proceedings, charges against Henry were dropped after it was learned he had been killed earlier that morning.
The development was not addressed directly in the courtroom during the proceedings. Information about Henry’s death emerged outside the courtroom as officials confirmed the killing.
Attorney General Gordon Rhea said he learned of the situation around 9 a.m. after receiving a call from the chief of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division.
Rhea said Criminal Chief Timothy Perry informed him that one of the defendants had been killed.
“I knew what happened; he told me right away. We talked about what to do about it,” Rhea said.
Rhea, who was off island at the time, said that in his years handling criminal cases, he could not recall a situation in which a defendant became a homicide victim while a trial involving that defendant was still underway.
The shooting also prompted heightened security at the Alexander A. Farrelly Justice Complex, where the trial was taking place. Close to a dozen uniformed, masked and heavily armed officers were stationed at entrances and in the courtyard of the courthouse. Federal marshals and other law enforcement personnel remained posted outside as proceedings continued.
Deliberations in the Harrigan case continued through the afternoon under the watch of Superior Court marshals and courthouse security.
Activity around Francois’ courtroom picked up around 3 p.m. as attorneys and court staff gathered. Prosecutors and defense attorney Robert Leycock Jr. entered the locked courtroom. Harrigan arrived on the third floor about an hour later, remained for roughly 20 minutes, and then left.
As of 5 p.m. Thursday, the jury remained behind closed doors in the deliberation room.
The trial centers on allegations that Harrigan and Henry abducted Pringle and held him for several hours while beating and torturing him in an attempt to force him to disclose the location of $800,000 that prosecutors said he possessed.
Court filings state that Pringle eventually broke away from his captors and attempted to escape before police arrived and rescued him.
Harrigan was arrested Sept. 15, 2020. Local and federal authorities arrested Henry the following day.
Earlier in the trial, Francois ruled on a series of motions challenging the charges against the defendants. Six charges were dismissed, though several counts remained.
“I find evidence that the jury could find proof beyond a reasonable doubt,” Francois said from the bench earlier this week.
If convicted of the most serious charge, kidnapping for ransom, the defendants faced a maximum penalty of life in prison.
Police said the homicide investigation into Henry’s killing remains active.
Henry’s death marks the second homicide reported this year on St. Thomas and the fifth in the territory, with three recorded on St. Croix and none on St. John, according to the Source Homicide List*.
*The Source Homicide List is a chronological log of homicides recorded in 2026 in the U.S. Virgin Islands based on reports from the Virgin Islands Police Department. The listing does not include suicides or vehicular homicides, which are sometimes counted in police statistics and by other media outlets, creating occasional discrepancies in totals.
The proposed site of the Summers End marina in Coral Bay. (Source file photo by Amy H. Roberts)
Virgin Islanders are circulating a petition on Facebook to request that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers hold a public hearing on St. John before making a final decision and approving a permit for a mega-yacht marina in Coral Bay.
The petition is the latest action regarding the Summers End Groups’ controversial plan to develop a marina that will substantially change the character of a quiet community on the eastern end of St. John.
The application for the marina’s permit was submitted to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers by the Summers End Group more than 11 years ago and is still pending.
Since the project was first proposed in 2014, “the most affected community has never had the opportunity to present testimony directly to USACE regarding material changes in project scope and the surrounding environment,” the petition states.
The petition lists environmental, safety and cultural concerns resulting from changes in the original application, such as the proposed construction of a 500-foot boardwalk, the loss of two land-based properties, elimination of small vessel slips for local boaters and other issues.
A drawing shows a plan for the land portion of the Summers End marina project. (Image from Summers End’s website in 2024)
“I hope everybody on St. John signs that petition so that St. John can protect itself from local governmental intervention,” said Lorelei Monsanto, a community activist who posted the petition on her Facebook page.
“We need a federal agency to do the right thing to protect our precious resources against what seems to be a regime working against its own residents,” she continued.
Monsanto was referring to an October 2025 letter written by Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that was made public this week through the federal Freedom of Information Act.
That letter concerned the validity of a 2014 permit for the marina project issued by the St. John Committee of the Coastal Zone Management Board, which is required before the Army Corps can issue its permit. Bryan asked the Army Corps to confirm that the CZM permit is valid and move the project forward by issuing its permit as well.
The CZM permit’s validity has become a flashpoint between the legislative and executive branches of the Virgin Islands government.
Background of the CZM Permit
Under Coastal Zone Management regulations, developers must begin construction on a permitted project within 12 months or seek an extension of the permit. The Summers End Group, however, did not begin construction and did not file for an extension after the permit was granted in 2020 through legislation proposed by Bryan.
Save Coral Bay prepared this image of how the Summers End marina might look based on the developer’s plans. (Image from Save Coral Bay’s website)
When a new administrator at the Army Corps took over the case and reviewed the file in 2025, he questioned whether the CZM permit was still valid. Upon review, CZM officials in the Virgin Islands determined the permit had expired in 2021, thus requiring the Summers End Group to submit a new application.
In response, Bryan asked the V.I. Legislature to again pass a bill in the developers’ favor by extending the CZM permit.
In August 2025, after a five-hour session, the Legislature agreed that the Coastal Zone Management permit issued to the Summers End Group had expired four years earlier. They voted against Bryan’s bill to extend the permit.
In October 2025, Gordon Rhea, the V.I. attorney general, issued an opinion that the CZM permit was still valid. He argued that the one-year countdown to begin construction does not begin until all federal approvals are secured.
To this day, the matter remains unresolved, and the petitioners hope the Army Corps will listen to the community’s concerns, which have been ongoing since the Summers End Group first received a CZM permit in 2014.
Members of the Virgin Islands Board of Elections gather for their first-quarter regular meeting on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at the Elections System conference room in Lockhart Gardens, St. Thomas. (Source Photo by Finn Sharpless)
Board of Elections member Florine Audain-Hassell announced her resignation Wednesday during the board’s first-quarter regular meeting, citing concerns with repeated disputes over issues she said past boards had already addressed.
Her resignation is effective Thursday, according to a letter she read into the record. Audain-Hassell, who was first elected to the board in 2022, reflected on her tenure and highlighted her participation in meetings, noting that “my participation in all meetings, except for a few instances when I was off island, reflects my steadfast commitment to the electoral process.”
She added that earning her Certified Elections/Registration Administrator certification within two years “not only exemplifies my dedication, but also was designed to set the standard of excellence for the board.”
In the letter, she detailed her work on voter registration efforts, voting machine demonstrations, visits to every voting center on St. Croix and presentations to the Legislature. As personnel committee chair, Audain-Hassell wrote that she advocated “for fair compensation for our supervisors, deputies and our board assistant,” and highlighted the creation of a dedicated human resources financial administration role “for the first time in 60 years.” She also pointed to administrative improvements during her tenure, including efforts to streamline internal forms and procedures.
At the same time, Audain-Hassell raised concerns about the board’s internal dynamics and their potential impact on public trust in the election system, warning that public criticism of the process can erode progress made in recent years. She urged members to focus on innovation and maintaining confidence in the electoral system rather than revisiting “past grievances and issues that past boards have already addressed.”
In a brief phone interview following the meeting, Audain-Hassell said she would like to see members come to meetings prepared and with a clear understanding of election law and their roles as board members, adding that the board should focus on moving its agenda forward even when members disagree.
She concluded her letter by thanking Elections staff and encouraging the board to continue strengthening the system. “I encourage the board to embrace the power to innovate and to uphold the trust of our constituents. Together, we can create an electoral system that the people of the Virgin Islands deserve.”
Following the resignation, officials outlined how the vacant board seat will be filled under Virgin Islands law. Supervisor of Elections Caroline Fawkes said the process is governed by Title 18, Chapter 3, Section 41 of the Virgin Islands Code. “Whenever a vacancy occurs, after the election is certified within 30 days, the candidate who received the next highest vote count in the immediately preceding election will be considered,” Fawkes said. “So that will be the 2024 January election.”
Fawkes explained that the Elections Office will review the official Certification of Elections listing to determine the next eligible candidate. “We will go and look at the certification listing and see who is the next person. Usually, we look at the person’s political party. And if there’s no one in that political party, then you go to the person that has the next highest vote count,” she said.
Once the correct candidate is identified, the Elections Office contacts that person to confirm their willingness to serve. “If they are willing, then we officially prepare a letter for the board chair to sign. Once the board chair signs that letter, the executive assistant for the board will contact the Superior Court to set a date for the swearing-in of that member. Then they attend the next board meeting,” Fawkes explained.
The new member will serve only until the end of Audain-Hassell’s term on Dec. 31. If they wish to continue beyond that, they must run in the next regular election cycle. There will be no special election to fill the seat because it is a board position.
During the meeting, board members also addressed several issues related to election administration and territorial election law. The board agreed to seek additional clarification from Attorney General Gordon Rhea on parts of a recent legal opinion dealing with the role of political parties in primary elections and how party rules interact with Virgin Islands statutes.
In a separate action, the board voted 7–4 to include the statutory primary election date, the first Saturday in August, on its official election calendar. Some members warned that listing the date could lead the public to believe the Elections System will administer a government-run primary, even though funding for such an election has not yet been secured and party-run primaries remain an option.
The board also approved a motion requesting a formal opinion from the attorney general on dual candidacy, asking whether the territory’s prohibition on appearing on the ballot for more than one office in the same election also applies to candidates seeking seats in the Constitutional Convention.
A coconut tree sways in gusty winds along the north side of St. Croix on Thursday as breezy conditions continue across the territory. (Source photo by Jesse Daley)
The National Weather Service in San Juan, Puerto Rico, expects a windy weather pattern to continue across the region over the coming days, along with passing showers. Additionally, seas will remain hazardous due to ocean swells and breezy conditions, and marine alerts are in effect.
Breezy Conditions Across the Islands
The NWS explained in an update on Thursday that persistent high pressure over the central Atlantic is helping to generate gusty east-to-east-northeast winds across the area.
A hazard outlook graphic indicates continued breezy to windy conditions across Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. (Photo courtesy NWS)
“Breezy to windy conditions will continue, particularly across coastal areas of the islands, and unsecured outdoor objects may blow around. These conditions will likely persist for the next several days,” the NWS said.
The NWS local forecast for the USVI calls for wind speeds of between 15 and 25 knots, approximately 17 and 29 mph, with higher gusts through at least early next week.
“Patches of both more humid and drier air will continue to be steered towards the islands under the breezy to windy east-northeast flow, along with low concentrations of Saharan dust,” the NWS noted.
A graphic from the NWS in San Juan, Puerto Rico, indicates a breezy to windy east-northeasterly flow will keep fast-moving showers in the forecast. (Photo courtesy NWS)
Marine Alerts in Effect
In addition to the windy weather, marine conditions around Puerto Rico and the USVI will be dangerous for boaters and swimmers. The NWS noted that choppy seas are being generated by strong winds, combined with energy from a northeast wind swell, and several marine alerts are in effect for portions of both U.S. territories.
The NWS warns that choppy seas will continue across the region into early next week. Several marine alerts are in effect across the region. (Photo courtesy NWS)
Small Craft Advisories are in effect through at least Sunday afternoon for areas of the local waters. High Rip Current Statements are also in effect through at least Sunday, with the possibility of marine alerts being extended into next week.
“Inexperienced mariners, especially those operating smaller vessels, should avoid navigating in hazardous conditions, and beachgoers should continue to exercise caution,” the NWS advised.
While heavy rainfall is not expected to be a major concern in the coming days, the NWS notes that showers may occur and could bring brief downpours along with minor ponding in poor drainage spots.
“The east-northeast wind flow will continue to steer broad patches of moisture toward the region at times during the forecast period, increasing fast-moving shower frequency,” the NWS reported.
Still, as of Thursday, the risk of flooding is expected to be minimal.
“Periods of moderate rainfall with passing showers could lead to brief ponding of water in poor drainage areas, but the overall flooding risk remains low,” the NWS said.
Members of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., with Grand Basileus, Ricky L. Lewis, who is visiting the territory for several days of meetings. (Source photo by Diana Dias)
Members of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. welcomed the fraternity’s top leader Thursday at Henry E. Rohlsen Airport, greeting Ricky L. Lewis with the fraternity’s signature “Omega Call.” Lewis arrived in the Virgin Islands for several days of meetings with fraternity leadership and local members.
As Grand Basileus, the president of the fraternity, Lewis traveled to the territory as part of a broader leadership gathering that included members of the organization’s Supreme Council, the fraternity’s governing body. The visit marks the first time the fraternity’s top leadership has come to the Virgin Islands as a group.
“This fraternity is a global organization with more than 200,000 initiated members in 18 countries across four continents,” Lewis said. “St. Croix is part of what we do. We wanted to hold our Supreme Council retreat here in the Virgin Islands.”
Lewis and his wife began their visit on St. Thomas before traveling to St. Croix to meet with local members and participate in leadership discussions about the fraternity’s future.
“We want our board of directors to come together and talk about how we continue to move the fraternity forward,” Lewis said. “We also want to hear from the brothers here about how we can continue helping them serve their communities.”
Grand Basileus Ricky L. Lewis of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. visits St. Croix to meet with local members and participate in leadership meetings with the fraternity’s Supreme Council. (Source photo by Diana Dias)
The Supreme Council, normally headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, relocated this meeting to the Virgin Islands due to construction at the Atlanta offices, giving the fraternity’s top leadership a chance to meet in a new setting.
For local members, the visit is a historic milestone.
“Having the Grand Basileus and members of the Supreme Council here is a very big deal,” said Quincy Lewis, Basileus of the Eta Iota Iota Chapter. “They have never been to the Virgin Islands as a group before, so this will definitely go down in the history books for our district.”
In addition to official meetings, the visit provides time for fellowship and strengthening the bonds of brotherhood.
“They’ll conduct their quarterly business review, but outside of that we’ll spend time fellowshipping and getting to know each other more as brothers,” Quincy Lewis said.
Freddie Thompson, IV, the fraternity’s 13th district representative, said the visit is significant not only for the local chapter but for the entire district, which spans Europe, Japan, Hawaii, South Korea, Mexico, Canada, and the Caribbean.
“The 13th district is the district that truly makes Omega international,” Thompson said. “So for the leader of our fraternity to come here and spend time with this chapter is historic.”
Thompson added that the visit allows national leadership to see firsthand the work being done by members in the Virgin Islands.
“It motivates the brothers here to hear his message personally, but it also allows him to see the community service they’re doing on St. Croix,” he said.
Community service remains central to the fraternity’s mission. Omega Psi Phi is guided by four cardinal principles: manhood, scholarship, perseverance, and uplift. Members regularly participate in service projects, mentorship programs, and scholarship initiatives.
One such program is the fraternity’s essay contest, which encourages student participation at the local, district, and national levels. The St. Croix chapter recently celebrated a student who won the district-level competition and advanced to the national stage.
Despite the territory’s small size, local leaders say the chapter continues to make a meaningful impact.
“We’re a small chapter on a small island,” Quincy Lewis said, “but we do big things.”
Grand Basileus Ricky L. Lewis of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., with an embrace of brotherhood. (Source photo by Diana Dias)
Fraternity leaders are also working to expand mentorship opportunities for young men in the Virgin Islands. Thompson said efforts are underway to establish undergraduate chapters at the University of the Virgin Islands on both St. Croix and St. Thomas.
“We want to give young men mentors and show them what responsible citizenship looks like,” Thompson said. “Our work doesn’t stop after college. We continue mentoring and serving the community.”
For the Grand Basileus, the visit is also an opportunity to reinforce the fraternity’s core values and the relationships that bind its members together.
“Our fraternity is about friendship and fellowship,” Lewis said. “Friendship is essential to the soul, and that’s what we try to live every day.”
He added that the service carried out by members would not be possible without the support of their families.
“We do this work as volunteers,” Lewis said. “Our families make sacrifices to allow us to serve our communities, and we are grateful for that.”
University of the Virgin Islands Albert A. Sheen Campus braved stormy weather and set aside spring break to give back to the Frederiksted community. (Source photo by Diana Dias)
Despite rainy weather and the start of spring break, students from the University of the Virgin Islands Albert A. Sheen Campus turned out Thursday morning to give back to the Frederiksted community through service projects organized by the Student Government Association.
Franchel Rodriguez, president of the Student Government Association at UVI, led the initiative, which brought students together for two coordinated service projects happening simultaneously to honor the generations who built their community and support those in need.
Students raked, picked up trash, scrubbed graves and participated in the collection of seeds in efforts to donate the seeds to St. Thomas. (Source photo by Diana Dias)
The first effort, called Legacy in Bloom, focused on restoring and beautifying the historic Frederiksted Cemetery. Students cleared overgrowth, pruned trees, and responsibly managed vegetation to bring dignity back to the cemetery. Students worked alongside a broad coalition of community partners and agencies, including coordination with the Office of the Governor, and operational support from the departments of Public Works, Agriculture, and Planning and Natural Resources, the State Historic Preservation Office, Our Town Frederiksted, Home Depot St. Croix, Ruff Start STX, Marco St. Croix, Phantom Eyez, and THM Trucking & Maintenance LLC.
Simultaneously, through the Plate It Forward Initiative, students partnered with My Brother’s Table and several local restaurants and community supporters to assist with preparing and serving meals to approximately 100 community members in Frederiksted, blending community service with direct support for those in need. Food contributions included assistance from Rosie’s Bar & Restaurant, El Sol Bar & Restaurant, Upper Class OG, and Te’Arra Marie Hair Styling and Hair Care. Additionally, SGA Senior Sen. Te’Anna Williams donated two cases of water and four gallons of juice to support the meal service.
“This is about stepping up during spring break to demonstrate civic responsibility and community solidarity,” Rodriguez said. “We’re honoring those who came before us while giving back to the people here today.”
Students raked, picked up trash, scrubbed graves and participated in the collection of seeds in efforts to donate the seeds to St. Thomas. (Source photo by Diana Dias)
Michael C. V. Bell, director of Life and Leadership Development at UVI, praised the students’ efforts. “I’m blown away by what we’ve been able to accomplish in just a few hours,” Bell said. “Seeing these students give up their spring break to clean, prune, and restore this cemetery shows the kind of leadership and care that will carry forward for years.”
Students worked alongside a broad coalition of community partners and agencies, including the departments of Public Works, Agriculture, and Planning and Natural Resources, the State Historic Preservation Office, Our Town Frederiksted, Home Depot, Ruff Start STX, Marco St. Croix, Phantom Eyez, and THM Trucking & Maintenance LLC.
Volunteers from other agencies chipped in to help beautify the Frederiksted cemetery. (Source photo by Diana Dias)
The project also included an environmental preservation component involving a culturally and environmentally significant tree, known locally as the “cheese and bread” tree. Preston H. Brooks, a certified arborist and Urban and Community Forestry Program Coordinator for the Virgin Islands Agriculture Department, explained that the tree produces seeds that can be propagated to restore plantings across the islands. “This tree is a heritage tree, and we want to preserve it as much as possible,” he said. “It has seeds that we’re collecting, which will allow us to grow more trees and replant them in public spaces on St. Croix, St. Thomas, and beyond.”
Preston H. Brooks, a certified arborist and Urban and Community Forestry Program Coordinator for the Virgin Islands Agriculture Department, took the lead in the collection of seeds from a “cheese and bread” tree located inside the cemetery. (Source photo by Diana Dias)
Brooks emphasized the importance of preserving native trees that are disappearing from the islands. “A lot of trees that were once important to the culture are vanishing,” he said. “This tree provides environmental benefits, like food for birds, and it’s medicinal as well. Collecting and propagating seeds ensures that these trees remain part of our community for generations to come.”
Bucket trucks, large trash bins and other donations were provided by agencies and local volunteers. (Source photo by Diana Dias)
Rodriguez noted that careful planning guided the maintenance of the cemetery’s trees and vegetation. “We started a dialogue with agricultural and harbor officials about which trees needed attention. We wanted to nurture what could be nurtured while respectfully pruning what needed it,” he said.
Bell added that the project highlighted the power of collective effort. “It’s inspiring to see volunteers from different backgrounds come together to make a space better for the community,” he said.
Volunteers pick up branches to help clean up the Frederiksted cemetery. (Source photo by Diana Dias)
The day concluded with a symbolic closing gesture: students placed roses and carnations on graves throughout the cemetery as a final tribute to honor loved ones once the cleanup was complete. James Memorial Service donated the flowers used in this tribute.
Weedwhackers, saws and other machinery hummed through the cemetery as the efforts continued at the Frederiksted cemetery. (Source photo by Diana Dias)
“This is the first of many service projects for the Student Government Association,” Rodriguez said. “We’re proud of our students and volunteers for stepping up and giving back to the community, despite the weather and challenges.”
Coral colonies thrive on a reef in Virgin Islands waters, part of the ecosystem that the University of the Virgin Islands’ Reef Response Program works to restore and protect through research, education, and community workshops. (Shutterstock image)
The University of the Virgin Islands’ Reef Response Program is inviting community members to step into the shoes of a coral restoration scientist during a hands-on workshop this Saturday from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the Maclean Marine Science Center on the St. Thomas campus.
The event titled “Marine Biologist for a Day” offers participants a unique opportunity to experience what it’s like to work as a coral restoration scientist in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Residents are preferred, but all are welcome to register for one of the 15 available slots.
This second land-based workshop comes in response to popular demand following a successful first event in January. Coordinators Chloé Camacho and Alexandra Stevenson have refined activities based on participant feedback, while maintaining the hands-on experiences that made the initial workshop so impactful. “I’m excited to see new faces at this second land-based restoration event and hopefully get some excitement started for our in-water event planned for May,” Camacho said.
The January workshop has already yielded tangible results for participants interested in pursuing marine science careers. “One of the most rewarding moments for me was all of the young ladies who came up to me at the end who were very interested in being involved with Reef Response going forward. Two of the participants who attended this event are actually working with us for the Spring Semester as Reef Response interns while they are attending UVI,” Camacho said.
Stevenson echoed this sentiment, noting that the diversity of participants created meaningful opportunities for knowledge exchange between coral restoration practitioners and community members, including coral hobbyists, fishers, and educators.
A key message both coordinators hope participants take away is that marine science offers opportunities both in and out of the water. “We hope participants leave the experience feeling more connected to coral reefs and to the coral restoration process as a whole. An important part of this workshop is also demonstrating that meaningful involvement in marine conservation does not require SCUBA diving or snorkeling. Even for those who are not comfortable with getting in the water, there are many valuable ways to contribute to the care and maintenance of critical marine resources,” said Stevenson.
The decision to host a second land-based workshop came directly from community feedback about accessibility. “For the first event, we were only able to accept 15 participants, with the intention of offering an in-water event in the future. However, we heard concerns from community members who were disappointed that they may not have the opportunity to participate in an experience like this. In response, we assessed our available resources and decided to host a second, land-based workshop, as well as a smaller in-water event we are planning for May,” Stevenson said.
Registration is required and can be completed here.
