Caribbean people celebrate foreigners more than locals

Dalan Vanterpool (left). Photo by Cleave M. Farrington

A local businessman is calling on Caribbean people to rethink the way they view local ownership, arguing that too many residents still treat foreign success as something to celebrate while reacting with surprise, and sometimes discomfort, when Caribbean people build wealth at home.

In a recent commentary, director of marketing for the MHV Group, Dalan Vanterpool, questioned why Caribbean communities often seem startled to learn that a local person – especially one of African descent – owns a business, a building, or a major development. He said the reaction reflects a deeper cultural issue that needs urgent change.

The Vanterpool family has grown into one of the most recognisable business names in the BVI over recent decades, having built businesses across retail, entertainment and hospitality.

Their rise has often been used as an example of what is possible for homegrown entrepreneurs.

But even with such examples, Vanterpool said it is still far too common to hear surprise when a Virgin Islander invests in land or operates a successful company, as many people still seem to expect large ventures to be foreign-owned.

He likened the reaction to visiting someone’s home and acting shocked that they own their own furniture.

“Imagine walking in to visit your house and for the whole time I just keep saying, ‘Wow, that’s your stove? I’m surprised you own that TV in your own house,’” he said. “If you’re a Caribbean person and you don’t own things in the Caribbean, where else are you supposed to own things?”

Vanterpool argued that if residents do not feel a sense of normalcy — even pride — when local people take ownership, it becomes harder to build a strong, confident business class across the region.

He said this mindset stands in stark contrast to how many Caribbean people react when foreign billionaires or well-known investors buy large tracts of land or take over major companies.

“We’re excited about it,” he said. “We take pride in the fact that someone from somewhere else owns a big piece of our property.”

According to him, that excitement rarely extends to locals doing the same thing. Instead, it can trigger discomfort, suspicion, or confusion, as if local people were not supposed to succeed at that level.

Vanterpool said the region must shift toward expecting local ownership and celebrating it. He said when he travels, he wants to see Jamaicans owning Jamaican businesses, St. Lucians owning St. Lucian destinations, and Grenadians owning Grenadian ventures. The same must apply in the Virgin Islands.

“If I’m in the BVI, expect to see BVI people owning BVI things. This should be the norm,” he said.

His comments come at a time when policymakers and business advocates across the territory continue to push for stronger participation by Virgin Islanders in land ownership, development projects, and new industries.

Many in the private sector say that changing public attitudes is just as important as changing policy.