How It Started
Black Yacht Day began with eleven yachts and about 120 people. Adam and Shakyra had been watching yachting sit at the center of Miami culture without a day that brought us together on the water — not a charter you booked alone, but something collective. They brought on Alexis for the event management it would actually take to pull off, and after the first year added Drew to build real relationships with the yacht owners themselves. That's the team: two people with an idea, and two more who made it operate. Today the fleet is more than 28 yachts tying up together in Biscayne Bay, and what started as one day on the water is now a full weekend of programming for locals and the guests who fly in for it.
Shakyra Chrysostome
Founder of Kyra Public Relations
Shakyra leads public relations, brand partnerships, and event management for Black Yacht Day. Her PR work shapes how the weekend is seen — from press and creator relationships to the storytelling that brings new guests to the water each year. A Miami native, she writes stories and creates events to amplify Black and Brown creatives and entrepreneurs.
Adam Payne
Founder of Palm Trees Investments
Adam covers finance and technology, from the ticketing systems guests book through to the numbers behind every charter. He co-founded Black Yacht Day on the belief that Miami's yachting culture deserved a day built for community rather than a boat rented alone. He also founded Centsible, a financial education app.
Alexis Brown
Founder of Social Xchange
Alexis runs event management and on-the-ground operations. Sponsorships, vendors, staffing, and the run-of-show that keeps dozens of yachts and hundreds of guests moving on schedule all come through her. She has been a staple of Black Miami for years, curating events from rooftop pool parties and vinyl nights to mixers, happy hours, and cultural experiences.
Andrew Scott
Founder of iPartyboat Rentals
Drew handles yacht operations and fleet relationships. He works directly with owners and captains on capacity, compliance, and safety, growing the fleet from eleven yachts to more than 28 tying up together in Biscayne Bay. He can also accommodate individual charters outside of Black Yacht Day — contact him for details.
