An award-winning singer, a fashion designer with her own brand, and a Golden Globe-nominated actress are just a few of the creative professionals who will be honoured when the local nonprofit Kickin It hosts its second annual Toast Gala.
The event will be held Aug. 2 at the Long Bay Beach Resort, Kickin It Founder Kyra James said when she unveiled the winners during a press conference last Thursday in Road Town.
The seven honourees include Virgin Islanders such as Iyaz, the musician famous for hits like “Replay” and “Solo,” as well as other Caribbean nationals like Tenille Clarke, a storyteller and publicist from Trinidad and Tobago.
Also among them is Issa Rae, a United States actor, writer and producer who has worked on the HBO comedy series “Insecure.”
This year is the first time the nonprofit is honouring creatives from outside the VI, according to Ms. James.
“We understand the interconnectedness of the ecosystem, and that inspiration and connection at every level — local, regional and international — plays a part,” she added.
‘Social impact’
Ms. James also gave more insight into her organisation’s work.
“Kickin It is a social impact organisation deeply rooted in the Virgin Islands and extends to the diaspora,” Ms. James said. “The work that we do reduces barriers to connecting with Virgin Islands culture, supports homegrown creatives, and creates safe spaces for community building.”
From fashion designers and writers to singers and more, the organisation will award the honourees in August under the theme “Together We Bloom.”
“At Kickin It, we believe creatives play a crucial role in cultural preservation,” Ms. James said. “They write the songs, design the fabrics, the poems, the stories, the plays, the photos, the films that tell our stories.”
VI photographer Michael Winter Jr., one of the honourees, attended the press conference last Thursday as well.
“I was actually very excited because [I am] being recognised as one of the creatives of the island, taking pictures of the beautiful Virgin Islands,” he said. “It’s very humbling to be recognised and put on a platform where everybody could see your work and stuff like that.”
Programmes
The fundraiser will support the nonprofit’s current programmes, such as its online cultural education programme Kickin It University and The Capsule Project, a digital archive designed to preserve VI stories for the future.
New projects are also in the works, according to Ms. James.
“One of the things that we really want to begin doing is providing creative tools,” she said, adding that this effort could include providing Adobe Suite to creatives for a year “so they can cultivate those skills.”
The money raised from the gala will also be used to help fund grants and fellowships, she said.
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