Virgin Islands Association, DC

Special S/O to everyone that helped to make the picnic possible—- if you gave monetarily or if you donated your time as a volunteer throughout the day helping with burgers and hotdogs on the grill or frying Johnny cake— we THANK YOU immensely!!

The entire day was definitely a vibe. Major appreciation and gratitude to our amazing DJs and for keeping us dancing all day. A final thank you and kudos to our very own VIADC Fundraising Chair, , who lead the charge in planning and ex*****on on site. Congratulations on a job well done. 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

We are so looking forward to seeing you all THIS SATURDAY, June 29th at Anderson Park in Ft. Belvoir, VA. Doors open at 12:00PM.

✨You are welcome to bring your own tents, drink coolers, cooked food, and personal grills

✨ Hot dogs, burgers, and small bites will be provided on site while supplies last.

✨ The event starts at noon. Please arrive earlier in the day to secure the most convenient parking.

✨ Military ID not required for park entry.

We are so excited to be kicking-off the summer with one of our best signature events!

In order to have an accurate headcount for food, please RSVP your attendance and number of guests using the Eventbrite linked below.

Please also keep in mind that there is a 400 person limit at Anderson Park.

tinyurl.com/yck23jbr

We are so excited to be kicking-off the summer with one of our best signature events!

In order to have an accurate headcount for food, please RSVP your attendance and number of guests using the Eventbrite linked in our bio.

If you would like to volunteer a bit of your time at any point throughout the day, please fill out the volunteer form also linked in our bio or email [email protected]

Please also keep in mind that there is a 400 person limit at Anderson Park.

We are thrilled to announce that the Virgin Islands Association, DC (VIADC) is officially operational again! After a year of ensuring our compliance and standing with the IRS, we’re excited to reconnect with all of you and breathe new life into our cherished community.

We invite you to attend a crucial General Body Meeting on Saturday, May 25th. This meeting will be an excellent opportunity to hear updates on our tax status and discuss how we plan to move forward positively. Your input and engagement are vital as we shape the future of VIADC together. Check your email or the Linktree in our bio for the meeting link to join.

Then, let’s kick off our reunion with a Welcome Back “Picnic in the Park” on Saturday, June 29th, at Anderson Park in Ft. Belvoir, VA. This is the perfect opportunity for all of us who have missed the warmth and camaraderie of our community to reunite and create new, joyful memories.

This event is not just a picnic; it’s a celebration of our resilience, culture, and enduring spirit. Bring your picnic blankets, your best dishes, and your dancing shoes as we have a day filled with great food, lively music, and the friendly faces of our VIADC family. Whether you’re catching up with old friends or meeting new ones, this day promises to be filled with laughter, joy, and the familiar warmth of the Virgin Islands.

Good morning DMV!! ☀️

VIADC has some exciting news! Our VI Cherry Blossom Princess Alessandra Evangelista was crowned as the 2024 US Cherry Blossom Queen and will lead TODAY’s parade from 10am-12pm on Constitution Avenue! Bring your flag and let’s show our VI pride as we cheer her along the parade route.

The National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade presented by Events DC:

WHEN
Saturday, April 13, 2024
10 AM - 12 PM

WHERE
Constitution Avenue NW, between 7th and 17th Streets, Washington, DC

Special thanks to our Cherry Blossom Committee Chair, Diane Parrot and to Stacey Plaskett

Alessandra Maria Evangelista is our 2024 US VIRGIN ISLANDS CHERRY BLOSSOM PRINCESS! 👑🎉

Alessandra Maria Evangelista is from St. Croix in the United States Virgin Islands and is a third-year undergraduate at American University studying International Studies. She recently returned from a semester abroad studying in Madrid, Spain. She is an executive Board member of the Sisterhood for International Engagement. Alessandra is the daughter of Richard Esq. and Wanda Evangelista.

Alessandra will represent the U.S. Virgin Islands during Cherry Blossom Princess week, which will run from Sunday, April 7, 2024 to Saturday, April 13, 2024.

Come on out and support any of the public events during Cherry Blossom Princess week.

The full schedule is posted on our website
https://viadc.org/cherry-blossom-princess/

Linked in our bio.

Thanks to everyone that came out to our membership social yesterday. The afternoon was a great exchange of food, laughs, and new ideas. It was great to see so many familiar faces and get introduced to several new ones! We are looking forward to having more gatherings and events in the very near future.

If you have any pictures from later in the evening please share!

We invite you to join us for an afternoon of friends & fellowship. 🌤️ 🎶🥘

Dear VIADC,

We regret to inform you that this year's 2023 VI Picnic event has been officially cancelled. Please know that this decision was not made lightly, and we understand the disappointment it may cause. Due to unforeseen circumstances and logistical challenges, we are unable to proceed with the annual event as scheduled. We deeply apologize for any inconvenience this may cause to you and members of the community.

More than ever, we value your understanding and support. We are committed to learning from this experience to ensure the success of future events. While we are disappointed that we won't be able to bring the community together for the picnic this year, we are actively exploring alternative options to create meaningful experiences for our community members.

We will keep you informed of any initiatives that we are able to organize in the coming months and we sincerely hope to count on your continued support and involvement. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. We appreciate your cooperation and look forward to your continued partnership.

Sincerely,
Your VIADC Board of Directors

The Virgin Islands Association DC's Board of Directors regrets to inform you of the passing of VIADC Member Alvin L. Lewis.

Condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Lewis 🕊

Today, as we do on every 2nd Monday of October, we honored the many generational contributions and invaluable friendship of Puerto Ricans that live and engage within our Virgin Islands.

Established in 1964 by Governor Paiewonsky, the date was chosen to coincide with Columbus Day, as "an appropriate day for commemorating the solidarity of Americans in the Caribbean".

The unique history that forever ties Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands together has created a delicious blend of many areas of each culture’s food, music and vibrant language and for this we’ll always be grateful. 🇻🇮🇵🇷

The VIADC Membership Committee is still hosting its Youth Donation Drive to support three non-profit organizations in the Virgin Islands that support and provide for local youth.

Running from Monday, August 1st to Friday, September 30th, 2022, we will be raising money for Nana Baby Home (STT), Queen Louise Home for Children (STX), and KATS St. John (STJ)
To donate click the link in our bio! 💵

A gracious “Thank You”to everyone who came from near and far to support our two recent scholarship fundraising summer events - - All White Party and the Annual VI Picnic.

Huge huge appreciation and thanks also go to the Dept of Tourism for their generous sponsorship and support both leading up to and during both events.

For those of you that attended, please share your memories with us! Leave a comment or tag us in your photos and videos. 🇻🇮💙💛

🚨CONGRATULATIONS JANELLE🚨

We would like to send some VI love to our fellow VI sister, Janelle James, from St. Thomas, USVI. Janelle has been nominated for an Emmy for her role as Ava Coleman in Abbott Elementary on ABC. Congratulations! Abbott Elementary can also be found on Hulu.

Slavery in the Danish West Indies was abolished on July 3, 1848– seventeen years before emancipation would be given to enslaved people in the US. As one of the most important public holidays celebrated in the territory, today we proudly remember the voices of our ancestors as they rose up on the island of St. Croix and demanded to be heard. On this day, together—with fury and might—Virgin Islanders revolted. Forever broken were the cruel and heavy shackles of slavery in the Danish West Indies.

The 2022 VI Picnic 🧺 is today starting at 12:00 Noon 🕛 !! Come out to support our local vendors 🥘 🧼 🇻🇮, listen to the sounds of home 🎶 with , Image Band, DJ Snake and enjoy some laughs and fun for the whole family 🥰!! See you there!!
Tickets available at the door or online at viadc.org/events.

Virgin Islands Association, DC updated their business hours.

Virgin Islands Association, DC updated their address.

As a way to wrap up National Physical Fitness & Sport Month, members of VIADC met up for a fun, leisurely walk around the National Museum of African American History.
Photo #3 - A quilted and appliquéd textile portrait of Harriet Tubman by Bisa Butler, based on the carte-de-visite photograph portrait of Tubman by Benjamin F. Powelson (NMAAHC 2017.30.47).
Photo #4 - A silver flute in three parts used by Alton Augustus Adams Sr.
Mr. Adams wrote and first performed the Virgin Islands March.

The DMV’s Annual VI Picnic is finally back for Summer 2022! There will be many vendors, music and plenty food! ☀️ Share this post with your friends and family today!
Visit the link in our bio to purchase tickets. 🎟 Kids 10 and under enter for free! 🎉 🎈

Summer 2022 is quickly approaching and VIADC is planning to kick it off right with one of our dearly missed signature events—The All White Party! 🤍🎉

Visit the link in our bio to purchase tickets. 🎟

Join us for a presentation by VI historian and Houston VIA member Enrico “Rico” Corneiro, who will give a wider perspective on the history of VI Transfer Day….above and beyond the $25 million in gold.

Head to https://viadc.org/events/history-lesson-transfer-day/ for more information and to register by March 25th!

LET'S GIVE BACK THIS SPRING!

Help us collect school supplies for Afghan refugee children in Maryland.

Head to https://viadc.org/events/refugee-supply-drive/ for more information on how you can donate!

The Virgin Islands Association, Inc. (DC) expresses our sincere sympathies to the family of Mr. Athneil “Addie” Ottley. His passing is a tremendous loss to the Virgin Islands community.

Mr. Ottley served the Virgin Islands in many ways: as the owner, President and Chief Executive Officer of WSTA - 1340 AM and in public office as Lt. Governor. His voice carried over the AM airwaves each weekday morning giving reason, history, and entertainment for many decades.

Mr. Addie will certainly be missed, but never forgotten.

While visiting the nation’s capital this week, US Virgin Islands Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. took some time to have breakfast with members of the Virgin Islands Association, DC (VIADC) to share updates on several ongoing projects back home in the territory. It really was a great morning of food, friends, and fellowship.

🚨 IMPORTANT UPDATE!! 🚨

🚨GOOD NEWS ALERT!!🚨
Early-bird ticket pricing has been extended indefinitely. All prices will hold at the current discounted rate until sales end completely on January 8th. 😁😁😁
If you haven’t purchased your tickets yet, now is definitely the time. We are already looking forward to a fun-filled night. 🎉
Thanks, as always, to our Fundraising Committee members and our sponsors. 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾