Kickin It Creatives Retreat Inspires Hundreds
Hundreds of artists, musicians, and digital creators gathered at Long Bay for the Kickin It Creative Retreat to celebrate the cultural platform's 10th anniversary. The three-day immersive event featured panel discussions, networking sessions, and cultural preservation workshops. Several prominent regional and international creatives were also recognized during an opening honours ceremony.
Hundreds of artists, musicians, photographers, influencers, and digital content creators descended on Long Bay, Virgin Islands, for the Creative Retreat, an immersive three-day event celebrating creative talent and regional heritage. The gathering marked the 10th anniversary of Kickin It, a cultural platform established to preserve and celebrate Virgin Islands culture through modern mediums.
Founded in 2016 by Kyra James-Douglas, Kickin It has hosted cultural networking initiatives across the globe, including London, as well as throughout the British and United States Virgin Islands. The retreat was designed as a dynamic space for creatives across the territory and the wider diaspora to connect, collaborate, and share ideas.
The weekend kicked off with Toast, an invitation-only opening dinner for 30 presenters, industry leaders, and award recipients. The dinner hosted the presentation of the third and final cohort of the Kickin It Honors, recognizing individuals who have pioneered excellence across creative disciplines.
Honourees included DJ Puffy, Jessie Woo, DonYe Taylor, Rush Cam, Imani Ellis, Marvelus Williams, Rondel Smith, and VI Crawl founders Nyaila Callwood and Khalarni Rivers. The second day, dubbed Focus Day, featured interactive sessions addressing vital topics such as financial planning, civic responsibility, and creative entrepreneurship.
Participants engaged in tailored discussions guided by colour-coded tracks and a curated look book. Highlights included a reflective session on Virgin Islands National Heroes led by Angelique Lettsome and Kareem-Nelson Hull, as well as an in-depth conversation on storytelling with VI Crawl, creator advocate Gabrielle Querrad, and other renowned regional figures.
The final day, themed Flow, concluded the retreat with a diverse schedule of wellness and traditional activities, ranging from local basket weaving and yoga to pickleball and praise sessions. As Kickin It's largest multi-day event to date, the retreat provided a vital forum for local talent to build sustainable creative careers while safeguarding Virgin Islands cultural identity.
Primary source: Guavaberry