BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS — June 1, 2026*
Venetta J. Smithen, the Founder and CEO of Caribbean Scribbles Publishing, has achieved a historic milestone for Saint Kitts and Nevis by securing second place in the prestigious Build Club global “Women Who Build AI” Accelerator. Out of 200 international tech builders and innovators participating in the intensive four-week program, Smithen’s groundbreaking initiative, the Island Tales by Caribbean Scribbles Project, advanced to the Final Showcase to claim the runner-up spot on the global stage.
The Build Club Accelerator challenges women worldwide to design, develop, and scale high-impact artificial intelligence tools. Smithen’s entry, Island Tales, stands out as an innovative, AI-powered interactive heritage story map engineered to preserve, celebrate, and digitize Caribbean culture and history. By blending advanced technology with local narrative traditions, the project aims to bridge the gap between regional cultural preservation and modern digital education.
“Four weeks of intense building, learning, and pushing boundaries alongside 200 incredible women,” Smithen shared following the announcement. “To come out in the top three is an absolute dream. I am so incredibly grateful for the support, the push, and this journey.”
This international recognition comes during a season of significant momentum for Caribbean Scribbles Publishing, which recently launched.
Smithen, who holds a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology and is currently pursuing an MBA with a minor in Management Information Systems at UNICAF University, has consistently focused her research and career on AI governance, cybersecurity, and digital transformation.
Her victory in the Build Club Accelerator underscores the profound potential of Caribbean innovators to shape the future of global technology and AI development.
The Island Tales Project will continue its development phase, with future plans to collaborate with local educational and cultural institutions across the Federation.
For more information about Caribbean Scribbles Publishing or the Island Tales Project, please contact:
Media Contact
Venetta J. Smithen
Founder & CEO, Caribbean Scribbles Publishing
Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis
Email: caribbeanscribbles@gmail.com
Website: https://islandtales-oatbsxnq.manus.space/
