Celebrating Our History, Our People

February 2, 2021

Celebrating Our History, Our People

Recognizing People of St. Croix for Their Accomplishments Past & Present

Top Row from left to right: Judge Eileen Petersen, Raja Bell, Casper Holstein, Jessica Tutein-Moolenaar, Ruby Rouss, D. Hamilton Jackson, Dr. ChenziRa Davis Kahina, Roy Innis, Johanna Bermudez-Ruiz, Alwyn Baptiste, Jr., Tim Duncan
Bottom Row from left to right: Valencio Jackson, Vaughn Benjamin, Nereida “Nellie” O’Reilly, Dr. Donna Christensen, Stanley Jacobs, Stacey Plaskett, Chalana Brown, Nikki Brooks, Judge Sheldon Rennie

Every year we dedicate the month of February to acknowledge People of Color and their accomplishments and we want to recognize the positive effects they have had on our community and society as a whole. It is a testimony of how we as a people have the ability to excel and leave behind a great legacy for others to follow. We should stand tall with our heads up, reaching for the stars because we can.

Join us as we recognize some of St. Croix’s finest from the past and present who have been instrumental in shaping who we are and where we are today. We thank them for their significant contributions to the arts, health, politics, music, sports, youth development, and education, to name a few. We are proud of our rich heritage and culture, which makes us unique. Here is a small list of people who have contributed to making St. Croix the great place that it is.

Writers:
Richard Schrader, Sr.
D. Hamilton Jackson

Artist:
Elroy Simmonds
Paul Youngblood
Lucien Downes
Niarus Walker
Ade Hodge-Raphael
Mark Milligan, Jr.

Humanitarians:
Casper Holstein

Attorneys:
Judge Eileen Petersen
Tanisha Bailey Roka
Judge Robert Molloy
Judge Sheldon Rennie

Political:
Javan James
Ruby Rouss
Stacey Plaskett
Dr. Donna Christian-Christiansen
Nereida “Nellie” O’Reilly
Jeanette Guzman
Genevieve Whittaker
Lilliana Belardo de O’Neal

Science:
Michael Kier

Medical:
Jamal Shillingford
Alyssa James
Randall “Doc” James

Music:
Valencio Jackson, Jr.
Tia Mason Mills
Blackness Creese
Nikki Brooks
Alwyn Baptiste, Jr.
Al Baptiste Sr.
Vaughn & Ronnie Benjamin
Mada Nile
Cruz Rock
Adam O
Tippy Alfred

Broadcasting
Ninja P
David Martinez
DJ Slik
Dean Baptiste
Chaz Hollywood Nibbs

Sports:
Tim Duncan
Emilio Griffith
LaVerne Jones
Valmy Thomas

Activist:
Leona Brady Watson
Dr. Desmond Emmanuel
Clema Lewis
Jessica Tutein Moolenaar
Genevieve Toledo

Culture Bearer:
Dr. ChenziRa Davis-Kahina
Maria “Chi Chi” Heywood
Ali Paul
Willard John
Irill Graham
Asta Williams
Janice Pemberton Tutein
Celia “Celio” Maldonado
Sandra Gerard Phaire
Chalana Brown
Frandelle Gerard
Eugene “Doc” Petersen
Stanley and the Ten Sleepless Knights
King Derby

Dance:
Charlita Schuster
Curliss Solomon-John
Thalema Williams
Aman Bryson
Alex Simon

Food
Digby Stridiron
Ralph Motta
Lynda Mohammed
Mrs. Harvey

Filmmaker
Johanna Bermudez