Through the photography of native Virgin Islander, Kayden Corbett Richards, and in the subjects’ own words, Personal Legends seeks to honor the strength and wisdom passed down through the ages, celebrating the triumphs and tribulations that have molded Virgin Islanders into the remarkable individuals they are today.

Explore additional images as well as as video footage of interviews with the remarkable Virgin Islanders featured in this project by clicking on the portraits.

Personal Legends is made possible thanks to a grant from the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands with funding provided by the National Endowment for the Humanities. This funding's primary goal is to enrich the lives of people throughout the U.S. Virgin Islands through projects focused on humanities education, lifelong learning, and public humanities programming. The grants support humanities programming that reflects the unique needs of the U.S. Virgin Islands' diverse communities, advances the public’s knowledge and understanding of the humanities, culture, heritage, and preservation, and makes humanities programs accessible to all people throughout the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The grant was applied for, and managed by, Friends of Virgin Islands National Park as a part of their Artist-In-Residence program that aims to help Virgin Islanders explore and develop their creative talents. The program assists the artist by promoting their work, offering mentorship, and providing work experience and financial support. The Friends of Virgin Islands National Park is committed to enriching local talent, investing in preserving Virgin Islands culture, and connecting creatives to the Park.