Link Up Lounge: The First Link (Recap)

Create. Collab. Connect. Last night I hosted the very first Link Up Lounge—presented by KGP Virgin Islands and JaiyahFiyah—at the ambient Levels in downtown Christiansted. What began as a casual mixer for young professionals, entrepreneurs, and creatives quickly became a heartfelt call for us to own our stake in building the Virgin Islands we deserve.

The vibe

DJ D’Shay set the tone with the latest in soca, Afrobeats, and hip-hop, keeping the room bright, warm, and moving. Pop-up vendors Purpl October and Vibes Natural brought live commerce front and center, an ode to millennial creativity and entrepreneurship.

Who pulled up

The room was a savory blend: photographers and videographers, chefs, healthcare providers, retail ambassadors, hospitality pros, and folks making big moves in government and the private sector. There was no need for the scheduled icebreaker because everyone naturally socialized and made acquaintances. I shouted out familiar faces because visibility matters; your brand walks in the room with you. Also, who doesn’t love to be recognized? It was nice to see people outside of the one-dimensional world of a social media scroll. 

The unfiltered panel

Our Unfiltered discussion featured Felix London of DPMNM, local author and tech girlie Tohera Durand, and TK Petersen of The Gathering Spot—all native Virgin Islanders and founders building businesses under ten years old. We talked highs and lows of ownership, giving back, collaboration over competition, and navigating the nuances of life and business in the VI.

• Felix reminded us to pull positivity from everywhere and to choose our hard. When no path existed, he charted one—and now young Virgin Islanders look to him as proof.

• Tohera spoke about seeking mentorship through uncertainty and showing up as who you aspire to be. Call it “fake it till you make it,” I call it manifesting vision and owning the narrative of your brand.

• TK leaned into building relationships and transparent communication. Do it because it’s your calling, he said; even on the tough days, you show up because you love it.

I could never capture it all—you truly had to be in the room.

A civic call-to-action

In closing, TK made a compelling plea: own your stake in shaping the Virgin Islands. He pointed to our low voter turnout—especially among 18–24 and 25–34 year-olds—and reminded us that upcoming elections will set the tone for how billions in federal funding are implemented, reshaping the Territory for generations.

Civic engagement can’t be a one-time event. Show up consistently so leaders serve the whole community, not just their base. TK quoted a family member:

“Living WELL in the Virgin Islands is my birthright, and I intend on living that way.”

No one left unmoved.

Why this matters

This is the beauty of Link Up Lounge: diverse yet like-minded people, sharing knowledge, trading wisdom, and building bridges. We all love the VI. Our job is to channel that love into action, so the place we call home reflects the paradise we know it can be, for everyone.

Presented by: JaiyahFiyah × KGP Virgin Islands. Sponsored by: Levels, KGP VI, Soundstage VI, Crucian Gold, IB Designs, Muller Media Group, and Brand Impact Solutions.

The Link Up Lounge returns Thursday, September 25 at Levels—hosted again by yours truly. Save the date and bring a friend.