Diamond Empowerment Fund Announces
‘D.E.F. Day at the J.A. Show’
Monday, July 30
The Diamond Empowerment Fund is excited to announce it will be
at the Jewelers of America show on Monday, July 30. DEF will be housed in a
unique ‘pop-up’ space in the Italian Pavilion, showcasing its benefit products,
merchandising kit, and message of helping Africans through education, with ways
for the industry to get involved.
A
highlight of the day will be a 2 p.m. wine and cheese reception at the Inner
Circle Lounge at the JA Show. DEF will
host “Conversations with African Leadership Academy Alumni,” featuring
graduates of the academy, one of the schools that receives funding from DEF. ALA Alumni will tell their amazing stories of
rising above challenges to become the empowered future leaders of their
countries. The students will share their goals for contributing to the economic
and social development of their countries – DEF helps support all ALA students
from diamond-producing nations. ALA Alumni will also be at the booth throughout
the day to meet industry leaders and visitors.
DEF will also
be previewing new sales support materials to accompany its upcoming lineup of
DEF-benefit products, including the Empowerment Charm,
a collector’s edition charm uniquely crafted in sterling silver with genuine
Swarovski Elements, offered by the Richline Group;
the Empowerment Green Bracelet, an updated
version of the original green malachite beaded bracelet with diamond accents on
the bezel, offered by Simmons Jewelry Company; and Empowerment
Rings, part of Royal Asscher’s Stars of Africa and Shining Stars
Collections. These diamonds are encased in a fluid-filled natural sapphire
dome, allowing them to flow freely like snowflakes in a snow globe. Retailers
are encouraged to give feedback and suggestions for the sales support materials
before the final versions are printed. They will be produced in time for the
fall selling season.
DEF’s mission is to raise money to fund
education initiatives in African diamond-producing nations. Its beneficiaries
include: CIDA City Campus, South Africa’s first
non-profit university to offer a four-year business degree, boasting an 80%
employment rate among graduates. The
second is the African Leadership Academy, a
university preparatory school in Johannesburg, South Africa, founded on the
belief that ethical leadership is the key to sustainable development on the
continent and drawing students from all 54 countries in Africa. It emphasizes
leadership skills, entrepreneurial skills, and African history. DEF provides
scholarships to all ALA students from diamond-producing nations. The third beneficiary is the Botswana Top Achievers program that selects the top high
school students countrywide in Botswana, and affords them the opportunity to
study at a university of their choice anywhere in the world. Graduates then
return to Botswana to contribute to its economic, social and political
development.
