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Nearly 300 guests gathered at the Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort on Sunday, October 26, 2025, for Milestones: FIYAH! Fashion. Folklore. Future. — the fifth anniversary gala of Island SPACE Caribbean Museum. The electrifying evening honoured five years of storytelling, cultural preservation and diasporic pride, blending theatrical spectacle with the elegance of a formal gala.

While the night was marked by glamour and high fashion, the FIYAH! Gala carried a clear purpose — to ignite support for the future of the world’s only pan-Caribbean heritage museum. Executive Director Calibe Thompson opened the evening with a powerful reflection on the organisation’s journey — from a humble pop-up museum to a recognised institution crossing the threshold of five years as a permanent cultural hub. She reminded guests that the museum stands alone in the world as a space dedicated to the shared heritage of the English, Spanish, French, and Dutch-speaking Caribbean.

The gala marked the launch of the museum’s $1-million capital campaign, aimed at strengthening operations and establishing a larger, long-term cultural complex. A moving video chronicled the museum’s history and envisioned future.

Throughout the evening, passionate calls for support from hosts Papa Keith and President and co-founder David I Muir — along with honoree Commissioner Hazelle P Rogers — inspired guests to give generously, contributing funds to sustain exhibitions, educational programming and the dream of a permanent home.

As the event unfolded on the eve of Hurricane Melissa’s direct landfall on Jamaica, keynote speaker Marlon A Hill, Esq delivered an impassioned address acknowledging the devastation to come. He underscored the importance of Caribbean self-determination and of preserving the region’s stories of resilience and survival within these spaces. His rousing refrain — “When I say FIYAH, you say More FIYAH!”— became the evening’s rallying cry, echoing through the ballroom as a call to unity and purpose.

A highlight of the evening were four distinguished trailblazers being recognised with the inaugural Island SPACE ICON Awards: Broward County Commissioner Hazelle P Rogers, Broward Bar Association Executive Director Braulio N Rosa, Sant La Founder and Executive Director Gepsie M Metellus, and Community Engagement Director for South Dade Kia of Miami Lesly Simon. Each honoree was celebrated through a touching tribute video featuring remarks from family, colleagues, and friends before delivering emotional acceptance speeches that drew the audience to its feet.

The night closed with a heartfelt appeal from the museum’s emerging board leaders — Cleopatra Bauduy, Juli-Anne Lee and Christina Brown — who encouraged attendees to contribute their time, talent and treasure to help shape the museum’s next chapter.

Following the gala, Island SPACE Caribbean Museum has become a collection point for relief supplies bound for the Caribbean through affiliate organisations. The non-profit has also pledged to contribute a portion of the proceeds from its upcoming Rum Cake and Black Cake Festival to hurricane-recovery efforts and will continue supporting partner-led relief initiatives on an ongoing basis.

Island SPACE co-founder Calibe Thompson delivers an emotional message about the museum’s humble beginnings and future growth. RJ Deed (Content Factory)

Designer Tanya Marie (fifth left) with models after an electrifying fashion showRJ Deed (Content Factory)

Artiste Charline “LaVie” Fleuremon and attendees on the dance floorRJ Deed (Content Factory)

Keynote speaker Marlon A Hill calls for “More Fiyah!” in his powerful keynote address. RJ Deed (Content Factory)

Characters of Caribbean folklore are brought to life by the women and kids of Brukins Entertainment. RJ Deed (Content Factory)

The Island SPACE board of directors stand united as Cleopatra Bauduy (centre) shares the vision for the museum’s future.RJ Deed (Content Factory)