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BVI-Based “Pioneering Greatness” Reschedules 2025 Conference to Support Jamaica After Hurricane Melissa
Photo: Aerial
The British Virgin Islands–based organization Pioneering Greatness has announced the rescheduling of its annual Success Conference, originally slated for November 1, following the devastating passage of Hurricane Melissa across Jamaica.
The decision comes as the island continues to recover from widespread flooding, infrastructure damage, and prolonged power outages caused by the Category 5 storm earlier this week. According to Jamaica’s Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), several parishes remain without full access to clean water and electricity, and road clearance operations are still underway. Thankfully, no major loss of life has been reported, though hundreds have been displaced from low-lying areas.
This year’s Pioneering Greatness Success Conference was set to mark a milestone for the BVI-based movement, as it would have been the first time the event was held outside the Virgin Islands. Founder David D. Archer Jr., who also serves as Deputy Governor of the Virgin Islands, said the organization’s immediate priority is now to assist Jamaica’s recovery efforts.
“Due to the passage of Hurricane Melissa and our concern for the people of Jamaica, we will reschedule and repurpose our success and motivational conference to a stronger effort to support Jamaica during this period,” Archer explained. “We will not host an event while the community is facing this challenge.”
Archer added that he plans to travel to Jamaica in partnership with Aerial Recovery, a disaster-response organization, to help coordinate and participate in hands-on recovery efforts.
“Our Pioneering Greatness team will serve to provide hands and hope during this period,” he continued. “When our Jamaican family is standing strong again, we will rise together for Pioneering Greatness 2025/2026: A Conference of Hope, Support, and Inspiration — a benefit for Jamaica and its people.”
The team expressed heartfelt concern for Jamaicans affected by the storm and gratitude for the emergency responders and volunteers working across the island.
“We trust that everyone is safe following the hurricane,” Archer said. “Our focus now is on standing with Jamaica in action, compassion, and rebuilding.”
Pioneering Greatness, founded by David D. Archer Jr., is a global movement dedicated to empowering individuals, businesses, governments, and nations through leadership, education, and motivational experiences. Now in its seventh year, the organization has inspired people across the Caribbean and beyond to live with courage and purpose.
To learn more or to support Jamaica’s relief efforts, visit www.pioneeringgreatness.com, WhatsApp/Text +1 (284) 542-4348, or email pioneeringgreatness@gmail.com.
Follow @pioneeringgreatness on Instagram and Facebook.
#PioneeringGreatness #PGforJamaica #TogetherWeRise #CaribbeanStrong #JamaicaRelief #LiveUnafraid #HopeInAction
The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force has confirmed that Tarik Aaron was arrested shortly before midnight on Friday, April 17, on extradition orders issued by authorities in the United States Virgin Islands, and has since appeared before the Magistrate’s Court.
According to police, the arrest was carried out in connection with a request from USVI authorities, though further details have not been disclosed.
Aaron appeared before the Magistrate’s Court today and was denied bail.
Further updates are expected as more information becomes available.
The Civil Registry and Passport Office has announced an increase in fees for United Kingdom passports, effective April 8, 2026.
According to the office, the revised fees apply to new, renewal and replacement passport applications, as well as other related services.
Under the new structure, the cost for a new, renewal or replacement adult passport has been set at £116.50, while the fee for a child passport is £75.50. Adult frequent traveller passports will cost £130.50, and child frequent traveller passports £89.50.
The fee for changes to an existing passport will also be £116.50. In addition, a delivery fee of £14.32 will apply.
The Civil Registry and Passport Office advised that the updated fees are now in effect and apply to all relevant applications submitted on or after April 8.
A bill proposing wide-ranging changes to the Virgin Islands’ electoral system was introduced in the House of Assembly today, Tuesday, April 22, by Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley.
The proposed Elections (Amendment) Act, 2026, is based on consultations with stakeholders and recommendations from observer missions, as well as input from the Deputy Governor’s Office and the Office of the Supervisor of Elections.
“This is the Elections Amendment Act 2026, following extensive deliberations with a number of entities, including a committee of the House who looked at recommendations of various observer missions that came to The Virgin Islands,” Hon. Wheatley said during the continuation of the Second Sitting of the Third Session of the Fifth House of Assembly.
He said the bill also builds on work undertaken by the previous House of Assembly. “Also, the last House of Assembly looked at a number of recommendations that were forwarded through the Deputy Governor’s Office and the Office of the Supervisor of Elections,” he said.
Hon. Wheatley said the proposed amendments were developed through discussions on changes to the Elections Act. “We had very extensive discussions about amendments to the Elections Act, and of course, those recommendations were used to make this Amendment Act. This received its first reading some time ago, and now we are here to debate this Elections Act, so that it can therefore become law,” he said.
The bill introduces several reforms to the electoral framework, including expanded access to voting through mobile and curbside options for individuals with physical limitations and the formal use of assistive technologies for voters with disabilities.
It also provides for the establishment of a Department of Elections and an Elections Advisory Committee to oversee voter registration and election administration.
Additional provisions include a formal Code of Conduct for political parties and candidates, along with new rules governing campaign donations and political financing.
The legislation also proposes restrictions on the announcement of major public grants or projects shortly before an election, aimed at addressing potential incumbency advantages.
The bill has already received its first reading and is expected to be referred to a committee when the House of Assembly resumes on April 30, 2026, at 10 a.m., where it will undergo further review as part of the legislative process.
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