Inauguration 2009
The Virgin Islands Institute of Development, which is headquartered in Washington, DC, is hosting a state society U.S. Virgin Islands Inaugural Ball on January 20, 2009, at the prestigious Hall of the Americas of the Organization of American States (OAS), which has been the site of five previous official inaugural balls.
Honorary Chairs
The two highest elected officials from the US Virgin Islands have agreed to serve as Honorary Chairs:
| The Honorable John P. de Jongh, Jr. Governor of the US Virgin Islands |
The Honorable Donna M. Christensen, M.D. Congresswoman from the U.S. Virgin Islands |
Honorary Co-Chairs
Thirty other elected officials from the U.S. Virgin Islands, U.S. Congress and States across the country have agreed to serve as Honorary Co-Chairs, including (in alphabetical order):
| Councilwoman Veronica Airey-Wilson from Connecticut |
Senator Terrence Nelson from US Virgin Islands |
| Delegate Aisha Braveboy, Esq. from Maryland |
Delegate Joseline Peña-Melnyk from Maryland |
| Lt. Gov. Anthony G. Brown from Maryland |
Assemblyman N. Nick Perry from New York |
| Congresswoman Yvette Clarke from New York |
Delegate Shirley Nathan-Pulliam from Maryland |
| Representative Gwyn Clarke-Reed from Florida |
Gov. Martin O’Malley from Maryland |
| Congressman John Conyers, Jr. from Michigan |
Congressman Donald M. Payne from New Jersey |
| Congresswoman Donna Edwards from Maryland |
Senator Usie R. Richards from US Virgin Islands |
| Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee from Texas |
Commissioner Hazelle P. Rogers from Florida |
| Congresswoman Barbara Lee from California |
State Representative Marie P. St. Fleur from Massachusetts |
| Congressman Kendrick B. Meek from Florida |
Congressman Ed Towns from New York |
| Congressman Gregory Meeks from New York |
Senator Alvin Williams, Jr. from US Virgin Islands |
Special Guests
We have invited President-Elect and Mrs. Barack Obama to attend.
Honored Guests
We have asked four newly named members of President-Elect Barack Obama’s administration to give celebratory Special Remarks (in alphabetical order):
 |
| Senator Hillary Clinton, Secretary of State-Designate, CONFIRMED |
| Patrick Gaspard (Haiti), Director-Designate of the White House Political Office |
| Eric Holder (Barbados), Attorney General-Designate of the United States |
| Dr. Susan Rice (Jamaica), Ambassador-Designate to the United Nations |
Featured band
 |
| Roland Martin, CNN Corespondent, CONFIRMED |
 |
| Wyclef Jean, Multi-platinum, hip-hop legend Haitian-American
musician, actor and produce CONFIRMED |
Featured band
The infectious, indigenous rhythms of Tabou Combo have been rocking audiences from Japan to Panama, Paris to Miami for more than three decades. They are the original ambassadors of Haitian music, having played in almost every major world festival, taking compas music where Celiz Cruz took salsa. Rev it up with the commanding, uptempo grooves of Tabou Combo for Inauguration 2009
Soca/dance hall powerhouse Image Band will hit the stage on inauguration night with another foot-stomping show. This electrifying group of musicians has shattered all traditional notions of success in the Caribbean entertainment industry. The Image Band has harmonious rhythms and dynamic vocals, throbbing guitar and bass riffs, and steady keyboard patterns. The oily-smooth precision execution of live horns complement the band's presentations, which enables them to play various musical genres including R&B, Hip Hop and Dancehall. But Soca is the heartbeat of this band.
Special appearances by:
THE MIGHTY SPARROW - Calypso King of the World
&
COCO-T Reggae Artist
in a musical Tribute to President Obama
Host Committee
Two leading organizations in the DC Metropolitan Caribbean American community, have agreed to serve on the Host Committee (in alphabetical order):
Institute of Caribbean Studies
National Organization for the Advancement of Haitians
If you would like to make your mark on this historic inauguration, consider becoming a “Host Committee Patron” or listing of your name in the souvenir Inaugural Program booklet at a special rate.
Inaugural Sponsorships
