Virgin Islands ABCs Initiative: Cultivating Cultural Literacy Among St. Croix Youth

Fireburn Heritage, Inc., led by Resident Artist Angela Golden Bryan, is proud to announce the success of the “Virgin Islands ABCs Initiative: Cultivating Cultural Literacy in VI Youth,” which is being carried out as part of Angela’s residency at the Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts (CMCArts) this Fall.

The initiative empowers local third graders to explore, appreciate, and celebrate the Virgin Islands’ unique heritage through cultural immersion, artistic expression, and storytelling, according to the press release. This educational program will culminate in the creation of an ABC book, which will showcase VI-specific items, locations, and narratives for each letter of the alphabet. The book, co-authored by Angela Golden Bryan and Erin Shae Bryan, will serve as an invaluable educational resource for elementary school students and will be distributed to all public elementary schools in the Virgin Islands, ensuring equitable access to this cultural resource, the press release stated.

This is week five of the five-week residency on St. Croix. In addition to cultural discovery hikes with renowned cultural historian Professor Olasee Davis, the children have selected their letter of the alphabet, along with the item, person, or place that the letter represents. Each week, Angela has also been reading to the students from her children’s books, “James and The Fireburn” and the newly published “Anna and the Goat Foot Woman.” Through this storytelling, students are exposed to Virgin Islands folklore and historical figures, a core value of Fireburn Heritage, Inc, the release stated.