Phillips, her husband Tesroy Phillips, and their 12 children have worked towards
federal tribal recognition. Phillips established and serves as the president of the nonprofit Opi'a Taino International, Inc. an organization that aims to restore the
cultural heritage, raise awareness of, and educate about the
Taíno,
Arawak, and
Kalinago peoples. In 2012, Phillips became
kasike of the Guainía Taíno Tribe of the Virgin Islands. That year, she lectured on the Taíno culture at the Virgin Islands Humanities Council's center. In March 2016, Phillips testified in support of Indigenous cultural protections to the culture, historic preservation, youth, and recreation committee of the
legislature of the Virgin Islands. She also shared details on her own background. In 2017, Phillips hosted a
pow wow in
Saint Thomas on the
International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples. After
Hurricane Irma, Phillips and Opi'a Taino, Inc. served free meals. She worked for the nonprofit All Hands and Hearts – Smart Response and led efforts to rebuild after
Hurricane Maria. Phillips converted her home kitchen into a commercial kitchen to feed 50 to 80 people daily. In June 2021, after an almost 10-year campaign led by Phillips, governor
Albert Bryan signed a proclamation recognizing the Guainía Taíno Tribe of the Virgin Islands. The proclamation states that the tribe can "...establish eligibility for federal health benefits, federal education benefits, housing benefits, job training, land use, and the right to engage in traditional religious practices and ceremonies."{{cite web == References ==