London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Wednesday, Jul 30, 2025

7 honoured during launch of British Virgin Islands Communal Association

BVI- Seven “extraordinary” VIslanders were honoured at the launch of the Virgin Islands Communal Association (VICA) and Awards Gala ceremony on Saturday, November 16, 2019 at the Moorings Marina Restaurant under the theme: “Restoring Virgin Islands Cultural Heritage and Pride.”

Honourees

The honorees, Mr Conrad A. Maduro; Mrs Dinis Chalwell; Mr Algernon Chalwell (the Chalwell Duo Team); Ms Janice A. Stoutt; Mr Walford Farrington aka “Bennu”; Mrs Carmen Hodge-Venzen; and Mr Edwin Forbes, were all recognised for their extraordinary commitment and community contributions over the years, according to a press release from VICA.

President of VICA, Ms Melissa M. Potter warmly welcomed the guests and delivered a stirring speech highlighting the need for residents of the Virgin Islands to work together for a better VI.

She said, “The Virgin Islands Communal Association (VICA) is about bringing us, as a people together. As family and friends, we should all embrace and preserve our cultural heritage.”

Amongst the attendees were Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1); Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration, Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley (R9); Minister for Health and Social Development, Honourable Carvin Malone (AL); Representative for the Sixth Electoral District, Honourable Alvera Maduro-Caines; Representative for the Second District, Honourable Melvin M. Turnbull; former Premier, Dr D. Orlando Smith, OBE; Deputy Governor Mr David Archer Jr; and President of the League Of BVIslanders in St Thomas, Mr Moleto A. Smith.


Cultural Baton passed

An additional highlight was the historic Cultural Iconic Baton passing from stalwart Cultural Icon, Ms Eileene L. Parsons OBE to local cultural playwright, story teller and poet, Ms Janice A. Stoutt.

The Virgin Islands Communal Association (VICA), a non-profit civic organisation, was founded by a group of concerned Virgin Islanders. The main objectives of the organisation are to promote and facilitate the preservation of native traditions, heritage, customs, history and social identity, through cultural and educational-based activities that will be undertaken throughout the Territory.

To promote VICA’s objectives, some of the activities proposed include a traditional ole time ‘BVI style’ Christmas; genealogy workshops; community meetings; historical sights restoration; a Cultural Experience Midnight Cruise; and an Annual Fun Day - Island hopping tour of the Virgin Islands.

VICA is the organisation that will promote the fact that “we are one people and we must have one voice”.


VICA’s Executives

VICA’S executives are: President, Ms Melissa M. Potter; Vice President, Dr. Harlan Vanterpool; Secretary, Ms Anna Rabsatt; Treasurer, Mr Cecil Hodge; Public Relations Officer, Mr Bertrand Lettsome aka ‘Washasha X’; Administrative Officer, Ms Sarai Smith; Chairperson, Disciplinary Board, Mrs Isis Potter; Chairman, Finance and Economics, Mr Wilbert Malone; Chairman, Democracy and Governance Board, Mr Ishmael E. Brathwaite; and Chairman, Education and Culture, Dr Brian Penn.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Former Judge Charged After Drunk Driving Crash Kills Comedian in Brazil
Jeff Bezos hasn’t paid a dollar in taxes for decades. He makes billions and pays $0 in taxes, LEGALLY
China Increases Use of Exit Bans Amid Rising U.S. Tensions
IMF Upgrades Global Growth Forecast as Weaker Dollar Supports Outlook
Procter & Gamble to Raise U.S. Prices to Offset One‑Billion‑Dollar Tariff Cost
House Republicans Move to Defund OECD Over Global Tax Dispute
Botswana Seeks Controlling Stake in De Beers as Anglo American Prepares Exit
Trump Administration Proposes Repeal of Obama‑Era Endangerment Finding, Dismantling Regulatory Basis for CO₂ Emissions Limits
France Opens Criminal Investigation into X Over Algorithm Manipulation Allegations
A family has been arrested in the UK for displaying the British flag
Mel Gibson refuses to work with Robert De Niro, saying, "Keep that woke clown away from me."
Trump Steamrolls EU in Landmark Trade Win: US–EU Trade Deal Imposes 15% Tariff on European Imports
ChatGPT CEO Sam Altman says people share personal info with ChatGPT but don’t know chats can be used as court evidence in legal cases.
The British propaganda channel BBC News lies again.
Deputy attorney general's second day of meeting with Ghislaine Maxwell has concluded
Controversial March in Switzerland Features Men Dressed in Nazi Uniforms
Politics is a good business: Barack Obama’s Reported Net Worth Growth, 1990–2025
Thai Civilian Death Toll Rises to 12 in Cambodian Cross-Border Attacks
TSUNAMI: Trump Just Crossed the Rubicon—And There’s No Turning Back
Over 120 Criminal Cases Dismissed in Boston Amid Public Defender Shortage
UN's Top Court Declares Environmental Protection a Legal Obligation Under International Law
"Crazy Thing": OpenAI's Sam Altman Warns Of AI Voice Fraud Crisis In Banking
The Podcaster Who Accidentally Revealed He Earns Over $10 Million a Year
Trump Announces $550 Billion Japanese Investment and New Trade Agreements with Indonesia and the Philippines
US Treasury Secretary Calls for Institutional Review of Federal Reserve Amid AI‑Driven Growth Expectations
UK Government Considers Dropping Demand for Apple Encryption Backdoor
Severe Flooding in South Korea Claims Lives Amid Ongoing Rescue Operations
Japanese Man Discovers Family Connection Through DNA Testing After Decades of Separation
Russia Signals Openness to Ukraine Peace Talks Amid Escalating Drone Warfare
Switzerland Implements Ban on Mammography Screening
Japanese Prime Minister Vows to Stay After Coalition Loses Upper House Majority
Pogacar Extends Dominance with Stage Fifteen Triumph at Tour de France
CEO Resigns Amid Controversy Over Relationship with HR Executive
Man Dies After Being Pulled Into MRI Machine Due to Metal Chain in New York Clinic
NVIDIA Achieves $4 Trillion Valuation Amid AI Demand
US Revokes Visas of Brazilian Corrupted Judges Amid Fake Bolsonaro Investigation
U.S. Congress Approves Rescissions Act Cutting Federal Funding for NPR and PBS
North Korea Restricts Foreign Tourist Access to New Seaside Resort
Brazil's Supreme Court Imposes Radical Restrictions on Former President Bolsonaro
Centrist Criticism of von der Leyen Resurfaces as she Survives EU Confidence Vote
Judge Criticizes DOJ Over Secrecy in Dropping Charges Against Gang Leader
Apple Closes $16.5 Billion Tax Dispute With Ireland
Von der Leyen Faces Setback Over €2 Trillion EU Budget Proposal
UK and Germany Collaborate on Global Military Equipment Sales
Trump Plans Over 10% Tariffs on African and Caribbean Nations
Flying Taxi CEO Reclaims Billionaire Status After Stock Surge
Epstein Files Deepen Republican Party Divide
Zuckerberg Faces $8 Billion Privacy Lawsuit From Meta Shareholders
FIFA Pressured to Rethink World Cup Calendar Due to Climate Change
SpaceX Nears $400 Billion Valuation With New Share Sale
×