The Diamond Empowerment Fund (DEF), a global non-profit based in New York City to empower youth from diamond communities around the world through access to higher education, honoured two people and a company who have made a significant difference to communities the world over, at a gala in Las Vegas.
The DEF had announced last month that former Mozambique and South Africa First Lady Graça Machel Mandela, actor David Oyelowo and Helzberg Diamonds would receive its Diamonds Do Good awards.
The gala raised over a million dollars towards providing scholarships and assistance to empower young people globally. DEF President and VP Global Development and Beneficiation for the GIA Anna Martin said, “This event symbolises the collective good the diamond and jewellery industry continues to do in communities around the world where they do business. Not enough consumers are aware of this positive fact.”
Over 450 industry leaders from China, India, Russia, Botswana, South Africa, Coté D’Ivoire, Kenya, Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo, United States of America, Canada, United Kingdom, France and Belgium were in attendance.
“This gala more than any event reveals the consistent passion and love of the diamond industry to help improve the quality of life of millions of people internationally,” said Dr. Benjamin Chavis, co-founder of the DEF.
Graça Machel, former first Lady of Mozambique and South Africa and and the widow of former South Africa President Nelson Mandela, was awarded the Diamonds Do Good Global Humanitarian Award for her international leadership to transform the lives of women and girls throughout the world. Said Machel, “I am incredibly humbled to represent the millions of minds, hearts and hands that have sown seeds over the years to empower Africa’s women and children. I graciously receive this Global Humanitarian Award from the Diamond Empowerment Fund on behalf of those who have worked tirelessly with me to accelerate social change.”
Award winning actor and global philanthropist, David Oyelowo was awarded the Diamonds Do Good International Vanguard Award for his dedication to empower communities in Africa. “Enabling girls to be educated will change the dynamics of persistent poverty in countries like Nigeria where out of a staggering 10.5 million out-of-school children, the majority are girls,’ said Oyelowo.
Kansas City, Missouri-based Helzberg Diamonds was awarded the Diamonds Do Good Corporate Legacy of Philanthropy Award for their outstanding contributions in bettering communities across the United States. “We are in the business of celebrating love,” said CEO Beryl Raff. “As a business we share this love by building up communities across the nation.”
Sadhvi Shilapiji, headmaster of Veerayatan’s colleges based in Gujarat, India also was a guest presenter who thanked the DEF for supporting the education in India.
The event marked the 10th anniversary of the Diamond Empowerment Fund which was co-founded by Russell Simmons, visionary and business mogul, after inspiration and encouragement from Nelson Mandela and Graca Machel in their home in Mozambique.
Lead sponsors of the Diamonds Do Good Gala included the Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group, the De Beers Group of Companies, Signet Jewelers, Le Vian and Rosy Blue.
https://www.gemkonnect.com/news/diamond-empowerment-fund-award-gala-raises-over-1m-education