The Virgin Islands Communal Association (VICA) is celebrating 249 years of Emancipation with a wide range of activities. Photo: VICA

Activities to mark VICA’s emancipation celebrations began on June 30, 2025 with a Freedom Candlelight Walk to Nottingham Burial Ground. Photo: Dean H. Greenaway

On June 30, 1776 twenty-five Long Look Nottingham Estate slaves were Manumitted By Samuel and Mary Nottingham, as they officially purchased their freedom for five pounds. Photo: Dean H. Greenaway

(VICA) is an organization dedicated to preserving the culture, heritage, and history of the Virgin Islands (VI). 

Calendar of events 

Activities to make emancipation celebrations began on June 30, 2025 with a Freedom Candlelight Walk to Nottingham Burial Ground. 

 “This year, we have chosen to remember and honor our foreparents with a consecrated march showing our gratitude for their great legacy that made it possible for us all to be here today, under the theme: ‘Inspiring our Future by Honouring Our Past’, Ms Melissa M. Potter, President of VICA and a descent of one of the slaves who bought their freedom for £5.00 on June 30, 1776. 

Other activities include radio and social media promos today, Tuesday, July 1, 2025 and Wednesday, July 3, 2025; Freedom in Colour on July 2, 2025; Freedom Worship Experience on July 4, 2025; and Community Service and Unity Day on July 5, 2025. 

Members of the public are also invited to view of documentary on the story of the Nottingham Estate on Saturday, July 5, 2025, at the Stickett from 6:00 PM. 

Celebrations conclude on July 7, 2025, with a Grand Culturama Festival. All activities will take place at Long Look Stickett. 

This part of Vi history & culture cannot die 

Ms Potter said, “The history and culture of every country is the backdrop of how its people came about and survived before the modern era, as we know or see it. This solid, firm foundation should never be threatened, eroded, disregarded nor cast aside, because it CANNOT die.

No matter how much a person may want to erase the past for whatever reason, it is still embedded in our DNA via the way we speak, the way behave or act, and the way we look.” 

She therefore encouraged everyone to embrace, enhance, respect and appreciate their heritage and culture.  

“It speaks of who we are as a unique people, individually and collectively, one Virgin Islands people.”