The Spirit of Craft Celebration, held at Prosperity Farm on Saturday, May 10, extends its deepest gratitude to the community, partners, and all who helped make the inaugural event an overwhelming success.
The one-day cultural festival brought together hundreds of guests to celebrate Black-owned distilleries, local artisans, and culinary excellence from across the Caribbean and mainland United States. The event was a vibrant showcase of heritage, craftsmanship, and community spirit.
“We are incredibly thankful to everyone who came out to celebrate with us,” said the Spirit of Craft team. “Your presence helped shine a light on the artistry, culture, and human connection that define this movement.”
Special appreciation is extended to attendees who generously donated food items to benefit My Brother’s Table, a local nonprofit committed to feeding individuals and families in need. “Your support will go a long way in nourishing our community,” organizers added.
The team also expressed deep gratitude to the visiting craft distillers, whose unique spirits and compelling stories brought both flavor and inspiration to the celebration. Their participation underscored the power of craft to build bridges across cultures and generations.
A special thanks to Governor Albert Bryan Jr., Senator Kurt Vialet, and Senator Franklin Johnson, whose presence and participation added meaningful depth to the weekend’s programming. Their contributions to a robust and open conversation about community, value-added agriculture, craft distilling, triple bottom line investing, and social entrepreneurism reaffirmed the Virgin Islands’ commitment to inclusive, forward-thinking economic development.
A standout moment came during the Friday evening dinner on May 9, featuring a curated menu by Chef Ralph Motta of Motta Cuisine. His culinary artistry elevated the evening, setting the stage for authentic dialogue and deeper connection. The evening was complemented by the smooth rhythms of Dion Parson and the 21st Century Band, whose world-class performance reminded us why culture, music, and community are so deeply intertwined in the Virgin Islands.
Attendees also heard powerful reflections from industry trailblazers. Vanessa Braxton, the first Black woman Master Distiller and Blender in the United States and CEO/Founder of Black Momma Vodka, shared her vision:
“Governor Bryan says the VI is open for business. At GB Distillers and Black Momma Vodka, we believe in action. We would love to bring our business and opportunities to the VI. We look forward to his support.”
Sommer Sibilly-Brown, Executive Director of Good Food VI, echoed that spirit of possibility, saying:
“This weekend’s Spirit of Craft event was filled with possibility. I enjoyed spending time with the craft distillers from all across the nation and the Caribbean, whose stories were inspiring and whose passion for their craft opened me up to being hopeful for future relationships.”
The Spirit of Craft team also proudly congratulates Cecily Lawrence, the winner of the inaugural Spirit of Craft Mixology Contest, whose creative blend captured the spirit and vibrancy of the entire celebration.
At the heart of the event’s success was Prosperity Farm, whose dedicated staff made the celebration possible through tireless preparation and warm hospitality. “We are truly indebted to the Prosperity Farm team. Their hard work and commitment were the foundation of everything we accomplished,” the team shared.
Organizers also acknowledged the efforts of every volunteer, vendor, panelist, and community partner. “Each of you played a role in making this celebration one to remember.”
The Spirit of Craft team looks forward to future events and continued partnerships that uplift culture, entrepreneurship, and community resilience.
