Virgin Islands Humanities Council Approves Proposals and Elects New Officers
Date: February 9, 2003 | Press Release: #03-001
The Virgin Islands Humanities Council (VIHC) at its annual retreat, January 17-19, 2003 on St. Croix approved four grant proposals earmarking $25,265 in VIHC funds for humanities projects to occur between February and April:
- #1 title: Documenting And Preserving Virgin Islands Musical Traditions
Sponsoring organization: Center For Black Music Research
Project director: Dr. Rosita Sands - #2 title: African Muslims Enslaved In The Americas
Sponsoring organization: Masjid Nur Ahl Us Sunnah
Project director: Mr. Edney Freeman - #3 title: Afro-Americans In The Performing Arts During The Early 19th Century
Sponsoring organization: Pistarckle Theater, Inc. - #4 title: UVI Humanities Festival 2003
Sponsoring organization: university of the Virgin Islands, St. Croix campus
Project director: Dr. David Gould
We elected a new slate of officers for 2003:
- Chair: Dr. Roberta Knowles, replaces Attorney Tregenza Roach
Dr. Knowles, a former English teacher and chair of the humanities division at the University of the Virgin Islands, joined the board in 2001, having previously served on the founding VIHC board in the mid 80's. She has participated in numerous VIHC grants on subjects relating to literature, English education, and folklore. - Vice chair: Mrs. Nereida Rivera-O'Reilly
- Secretary: Mrs. Geraldine Heath
- Treasurer: Colonel Stanley Jones
We welcomed two new board members:
- Attorney Deverita Carty Sturdivant
Attorney Sturdivant was recently appointed as the director of insurance and finance. She has a PhD. in English and university-level teaching experience. Her doctoral dissertation is on the styles and themes of selected West Indian novels. Quote from Sturdivant: "The humanities have always been a passion of mine. Literature, especially writing poetry, remains my favorite avocation. Service to the community is important. In this case, it nurtures those persons who bring the diversity of our cultures to the larger community." - Ms. Pamela Richards
Pamela Richards has served as commissioner of tourism since January 2001. She has extensive experience as an administrator and press secretary with the Virgin Islands legislature and the Virgin Islands government. She serves on several local boards, including our town Frederiksted, and several organizations including the St. Croix friends of Denmark.
Quote from Knowles:
"We are looking forward to a productive year with the addition of these two outstanding citizens to our board."
We accepted the resignation of the executive director, Simon Caines and approved Michael Prosper as interim executive director.
Michael Prosper has served as the grants programs officer with the VIHC. As an attorney, he has worked with the environmental protection agency and with the southern Africa project lawyers' committee for civil rights under law, providing legal assistance in the anti-apartheid struggle. He also has experience as a teacher, actor, vocalist, and writer.
We initiated a search for an executive director.
The council has initiated a search for an executive director and is in the process of interviewing candidates and reviewing pertinent documents.
New topic:
Following the retreat, Knowles and Prosper traveled to Washington, DC to attend meetings on January 30-31, 2003, with the chair, Bruce Cole, and staff of the National Endowment of the Humanities (NEH), the funding agency for the Virgin Islands Humanities Council. Fifteen of the 56 state councils were represented, including New York, Virginia, and Florida.
Quote from Knowles re trip: "This trip served as a well-timed orientation for us. I was impressed with the professionalism and competence of the NEH staff and resources. The public has access to NEH grants and educational resources at their website, http://www.neh.gov/."
Issues of concern included the anticipated approval of the FY 2003 budget for NEH, governance and policy, outreach, and public awareness. Chairman Cole placed special emphasis on an initiative called "We The People." Its purpose is to continue to help Americans make sense of their history and the world around them.
Quote from Knowles: "This is a critical year for the Virgin Islands Humanities Council. We are initiating a thorough self-assessment report for a site visit in 2004, the twentieth anniversary of the council."
The VIHC provides up to $10,000 to support humanities projects. For further information contact Mike Prosper (776-4044) and visit the VIHC website http://vihumanities.org/.