The United Caribbean Association, Inc. will host the Island Legacy Luncheon in the Legendz Lounge courtyard on Market St. in downtown Frederiksted, Sunday, 1 – 6 p.m. The community is invited to come dressed in tropical elegance.
The three-course luncheon fundraiser will kick off with appetizers, followed by a Caribbean-style buffet and dessert. Local drinks will accompany each course. The cuisine will feature vegan, vegetarian, beef and chicken options. A jazz group will serenade during the appetizer course, with continuous music and entertainment offered throughout the buffet and dessert courses, continuing into the late afternoon and early evening.
UCA will provide the vegetarian and vegan options. Local chef/caterer and culinary arts teacher at St Croix Central High School, Camesha Lynch, will offer the beef and chicken portions.
Event planner Sheniqua Roper works as a consultant with nonprofit organizations. “I coordinate fundraising events, manage community outreach, and support the execution of their program goals.”
Roper came on board with the United Caribbean Association when Hurricane Maria devastated a major part of the roof. The building, adjacent to Buddhoe Park and Fort Frederik, is one of the oldest structures in Frederiksted and serves as a restaurant with a daily menu of vegan food that provides healthy sustenance for the community.
Federal monies that were awarded to UCA did not cover the architectural and engineering designs or the construction costs for the facility. Whenever it rains, the roof leaks and the restaurant must close for the day. Proceeds from the fundraiser luncheon will go toward rebuilding the damaged roof, Roper reported.
Roper’s consultation with UCA granted her access to the following:
UCA High Level History – “The United Caribbean Association (UCA) was founded in 1969 by Mario Moorhead, a visionary rooted in community and culture. What began as a grassroots effort to connect Caribbean people through produce and trade evolved into one of the most culturally significant spaces on St. Croix.
“Originally known as Up Provision, the initiative linked farmers and artisans across the Caribbean. Moorhead sold goods from the back of his station wagon before transforming a former 1700s sugar warehouse, one of the oldest structures in Frederiksted, into UCA’s permanent home.
“The building was originally a sugar storage warehouse, constructed during the colonial era alongside Fort Frederik. In the late 1960s, Moorhead’s family purchased the building from VICO, the West India Sugar Factory (later VICORP and the Virgin Islands Corporation). By 1966, the last sugarcane crops had been harvested in the Virgin Islands, marking the end of an era. Moorhead preserved the space and repurposed it into a vibrant community hub and the last standing sugar warehouse of its kind on St. Croix.
“By the 1970s and 1980s, UCA became a hub for food, music, education and activism. Locals gathered to buy fresh fish, fruits and ital soup, while community bands like Liquid Sounds Brass and Soul Busters filled the air with music. Moorhead also organized the beloved Summer Fest, bringing legends like Calypso Rose and The Mighty Sparrow performing free of charge – and uniting Caribbean cultures from across the region.
“Beyond the arts, UCA became a center for Black empowerment and social consciousness. From grassroots organizing to nonviolent education, the space welcomed the influence of powerful figures such as Stokely Carmichael, later known as Kwame Ture, who was instrumental in the global Black Liberation movement and is widely known for popularizing the slogan ‘Black Power.’ UCA continued to champion unity, self-reliance, and the preservation of cultural identity throughout the Virgin Islands.
“One of UCA’s most historic contributions was rallying public support during the early 1970s to push for the official recognition of July 3 as Emancipation Day. working alongside the Melvin Evans Administration, as the first elected governor and a native son of St. Croix, UCA helped advocate for the passage of Act No. 3349, which Governor Evans signed into law on December 6, 1972, declaring July 3 a legal holiday commemorating the abolition of slavery in the former Danish West Indies in 1848.
“Today, UCA stands not only as a historical building, but as a living symbol of cultural pride, resilience, and legacy.”
Roper commented about her affiliation with UCA and her feelings of connectedness and commitment to her role as a consultant for the organization and the project. “It was a beautiful history lesson [UCA High Level History],” she said. “The Island Legacy Luncheon is more than a fundraiser. It’s a powerful reminder of what community looks like when we come together with purpose. UCA has been a pillar in Frederiksted for decades, and the event is about preserving that legacy while creating space for joy, culture, and reconnection. As we gather on Emancipation Day weekend, we’re not just raising funds, we’re uplifting stories, honoring our roots, and investing in the future of a place that has fed and nurtured so many.”
UCA MISSION: “To advance, to educate, and heighten the participation of Blacks in the Caribbean in our business community and throughout the Caribbean through historical, cultural, enlightenment and intellectual exchange of ideas amongst its members through promotion of educational and cultural workshops, seminars, support and discussion groups and any and all such other activities of the benefits of the corporation.”
UCA members have worked for the advancement and preservation of the mission. Their lives reflect their commitment and it shows in their eagerness to share during the Source interview.
UCA Kitchen Manager and Community Advocate Valerie “Wala” Hendrickson openly declared, “In lieu of historic preservation, we would love for the community to support and help keep this history alive; don’t let it die. Little by little, the history of the Virgin Islands is being erased, and we can’t let this one go. All we need is a roof. Without it, the foundation will weaken, and the building will end up like so many other historic sugar mills that are now in ruins – like the ones in Richmond. This is the last standing sugarcane warehouse on St. Croix. We want the people to come out, support, and help keep this building alive. It is not just for us; it is to teach the young children the truth of where we come from.”
UCA Kitchen President Joseph “Feather” Bruce announced, “Open up our minds; form up ourselves – come together and form up our history, so our children could have a better future.”
UCA Ambassador Val Tucker-Rawlins proclaimed, “Let’s make the ancestors proud. They put so much work into this building. We stand on their shoulders. Let’s show up in unity and honor our history to the fullest.”
At the beginning of the luncheon, Hendrickson and Tucker-Rawlins will speak about UCA, its history and the fundraiser. After dessert, elders will be invited to speak; the floor will be open for dancing, mingling and networking.
UCA Island Legacy Luncheon:
Three courses: Appetizers, Caribbean Buffet, Dessert
Vegetarian, Vegan, Beef and Chicken Options
Local juices will be included with the courses.
Donations:
Live Auction of artwork
Raffle of Wire Art by Waldemar Brodhurst
Sponsorships:
Island Supporter: $200
Culture Keeper: $300
Legacy Sponsor: $600
Ticket Options:
General Admission: $35
Premium Seating: $45
Donation Ticket: Any amount if you do not attend
Tickets and Donations:
Tickets can be purchased and donations can be made online at Eventbrite with Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay
Local Ticket Outlets:,
Armstrong’s Ice Cream
Eden’s Vegan Eatery
Vegetarian Creation
UCA Kitchen
Featured Entertainment:
Soundmates, Tech Brass International, DJ Genius & Mr. Energy
A Guest artist will be announced at the luncheon.
Thank You Legacy Sponsor Support:
WTJX (PBS, NPR) and ib Designs
For more Information:
UCA Facebook page
UCAKitchen.eventbrite.com
Please call: 340-772-5063
St. Croix Source
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