Members of the late legislator Carvin Malone's One Virgin Islands Agenda (OVIA) have taken the next step in ensuring his legacy endures by forming a Board of Directors and moving forward with plans to register the organisation as a non-profit. Photo: GIS/OVIA

Dr Charles H. Wheatley, OBE, left, and Dr Robert A. Mathavious, OBE, right, have agreed to serve on the Board of Elders of the One Virgin Islands Agenda (OVIA) to avail the organisation of their wisdom and experience in guiding its development. Photo: GIS/Facebook

Members of his One Virgin Islands Agenda (OVIA) have taken the next step in ensuring his legacy endures by forming a Board of Directors and moving forward with plans to register the organisation as a non-profit.

According to a press release from OVIA, Mr Malone started OVIA because he believed in the power of education and awareness. “He knew that knowledge was the key to empowering Virgin Islanders to make informed decisions about their future.”

What began as a small online chat group has grown into a dynamic platform, complete with a dedicated website offering valuable resources and information on issues like self-determination.

244 active members

Today, OVIA has 244 active members – encompassing a wide cross section of the Virgin Islands community, a testament to Malone’s lasting impact, according to the press release.

The Board, the press release continued, is committed to continuing Malone’s work, guided by the principles in the Virgin Islands Constitution Order 2007.

It said the Constitution’s Preamble, which affirms the people’s desire to become self-governing and take greater control of their affairs, remains at the core of OVIA’s mission.

Board Members

Current members of the Board are Art K. Christopher, Dr June Soomer, Bishop John I. Cline, Amber Wheatley, Jahnai L. Caul, Kyle Ricketts, Honourable Thomas Christopher Famous, Emily George and Kedrick E. Malone.

Additionally, Dr Charles H. Wheatley, OBE and Dr Robert A. Mathavious, OBE have agreed to serve on the Board of Elders to avail the organisation of their wisdom and experience in guiding its development.

The public is invited to stay tuned for further developments on OVIA as the Board of Directors moves forward with these plans. The email address is onevirginislands@gmail.com

Mr Malone, a former Minister for Health and Social Development and longtime President of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP), passed away on January 14, 2024, at the age of 64.