CIBC Caribbean celebrates 2025 Regional Unsung Heroes

Published on October 27, 2025

Lucinda “Mini” Smith, a tireless source of kindness and comfort in her community, has been named the CIBC Caribbean Regional Unsung Hero for 2025.

A distinguished regional judging panel on Monday October 6, 2025, unanimously selected Mrs. Smith as this year’s top award for her lifetime of care, compassion and kindness toward persons in her community of Tortola, British Virgin Islands.

Mrs. Smith’s life has been dedicated to giving back to her community, volunteering not only her cooking but her service to provide lunch for families who are in need throughout the island, through the Road Town Adventist Church, a place where she worships

Mrs. Smith along with first runner up, Venetta Zakers of St. Kitts and Nevis and second runner up, Joshuanette Francis of Antigua and Barbuda were celebrated for their selflessness and caring for others at the event.

Venetta is the founder and driving force behind Zakes Affinity Causes (ZAC), a non-profit, all volunteer organisation in St. Kitts and Nevis dedicated reaching, inspiring and empowering underserved individuals in her community.

Joshuanette Francis, described as a fearless and compassionate changemaker whose life and work embody extraordinary community service and resilience. Diagnosed with osteoarthritis at age 24 and projected to lose her mobility by 40, Joshuanette transformed her pain into purpose through the founding of Good Humans 268 Inc., a nonprofit committed to disability awareness, climate justice, and youth empowerment.