A decade of creative community-building, cultural preservation and professional development will take center stage next month as Kickin It celebrates its 10th anniversary with a two-day creative retreat at Long Bay Beach Resort in Tortola.
Set for October 17 and 18, the landmark gathering will bring together creatives, entrepreneurs, cultural leaders and members of the wider community for a weekend centered on professional growth, cultural connection and wellness.
Coinciding with Heroes and Foreparents Day weekend, the anniversary celebration will also feature the third and final edition of the Kickin It Honors, recognizing a diverse group of international, regional and local figures whose work continues to shape music, media, film and creative entrepreneurship.
This year’s honorees include international DJ and producer DJ Puffy of Barbados, who will receive the Global Influence Honoree award, while Haitian media personality, comedian and singer Jessie Woo will be recognized as a Culture Keeper.
The Creative Catalyst Honoree category will recognize DonYé Taylor, creative philosopher and founder of Nuclei, and Rush Cam, digital creator and host of the No NDA Podcast.
Imani Ellis, founder and CEO of CultureCon, will receive the Trailblazer Honoree award, while St. Croix musician, producer and creative Marvelus will be recognized for Cultural Impact.
The Rising Star Honorees are Rondel Smith, a nature photographer from Anegada, and VI Crawl, represented by filmmakers and performing artists Nyaila Callwood and Khalarni Rivers of Tortola and St. Thomas.
Organizers say the anniversary retreat is designed around the theme “Currently in Flow State,” drawing inspiration from the natural rhythm of the ocean and balancing periods of high-energy creative work with opportunities for rest and restoration.
Saturday, October 17, will serve as Focus Day, running from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The professional development program will feature mainstage panel discussions, technology presentations, speed networking, interactive pitch sessions and live micro-grant awards through The Flow State Fund.
Individual passes are priced at $70, with discounted duo and group packages available.
The weekend will shift gears on Sunday, October 18, with Flow Day, a free, public wellness experience running from 6 a.m. to noon. Open to both the public and resort guests, the morning will span five coastal zones — The Pause Lawn, The Oasis Lounge, The Zen Den, The Culture & Craft Studio, and The Court & Café.
Programming will include a community walk and run, guided movement, sound baths, pickleball, community circles and craft workshops, creating what organizers describe as a space for deep restoration and connection.
For Kickin It founder Kyra James Douglas, the 10th anniversary represents an opportunity not only to celebrate the organization’s history, but also to invest in the people and creative ecosystem that have helped shape its growth.
“Kickin It making ten years is such a meaningful milestone for us, and hosting this retreat is the ultimate way to celebrate the community that built it,” James Douglas said. “Over the past decade, we have watched our creative ecosystem grow exponentially. This weekend is about honoring that journey, giving our creators practical tools for the future, and creating space to rest so we can keep building together.”
The anniversary retreat represents a significant milestone for Kickin It as it enters its second decade, bringing together its core pillars of creative development, cultural preservation and community wellness in one weekend.
Registration for Saturday’s Focus Day, along with group ticket packages and the complete weekend schedule, is available through kickinitvi.com and Kickin It’s social media platforms at @kickinitvi.