Press Releases

BIJC Launches Educational Program

The program is hosted by Black in Jewelry Coalition and sponsored by leading organizations.

Published

3 years ago

November 21, 2021

Press Releases

(PRESS RELEASE) The Black in Jewelry Coalition (BIJC), the first international non-profit membership organization for the advancement of Black professionals in the gem, jewelry, and watch industry, is hosting The Jewelry Industry I.D.E.A. educational program, promoting inclusivity, diversity, and equity for all. Sponsored by the jewelry industry’s leading organizations, this two-part online educational program will help every person in the jewelry industry recognize and confront ingrained cultural biases that create profound community damage and break down cohesion in the workplace.

“The jewelry industry’s leading organizations have joined forces with one common goal—to provide a complimentary inclusivity and diversity educational program designed to be accessible for everyone that works in the jewelry, gem and watch industry,” says BIJC President Annie Doresca.

Risha Grant | Reggie Johnson

The two-part program will feature information-rich webinars that will be available to watch live or on-demand. All attendees that complete both sessions will receive a certificate of completion. Both sessions are free of charge and will offer replays through July.

Get Rid of the BS
January 19, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Risha Grant, a renowned expert on diversity and inclusion, will host “Get Rid of the BS.” Risha has a no-holds-barred style and will tackle hard but necessary questions about how to address social unrest and racial injustice. She’ll also offer practical advice for how to confront and get past biases to create more respectful, diverse, and inclusive communities.

Registration is now available here.

Encounters with Bias and Racism: A Panel Discussion
February 16, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Listen to first-person accounts of bias and racism in the retail setting from both consumers and employees. This session will use real-world scenarios to showcase how each encounter could have been avoided. The panel will be led by Reggie Johnson, Chief Diversity Officer/Senior VP at Signet Jewelers and a director for the Black in Jewelry Coalition. Registration for this session is now available. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

The Jewelry Industry I.D.E.A. Training Program is offered by Black in Jewelry Coalition and is presented in partnership with American Gem Society (AGS), Buyers Intelligence Group (BIG), Ethical

Metalsmiths, Jewelers Board of Trade (JBT), Jewelers of America (JA), Jewelers Vigilance Committee (JVC), Manufacturing Jewelers & Suppliers of America (MJSA), Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) and Women’s Jewelry Association (WJA).

Visit blackinjewelry.org/i-d-e-a to learn more about the Jewelry Industry I.D.E.A. educational program and membership with BIJC.

Looking for a Seamless Sale? Call Wilkerson

After almost 60 years in business, Breakiron Jewelers in Erie, Pennsylvania, was closing its doors. And the store’s owner, Linda Breakiron, was ready for it. She had run the store as its sole owner since the beginning of the millennium and was looking forward to a change. Of course, she called Wilkerson. Breakiron talked to other jewelers who had used Wilkerson and was satisfied with their response. “They always had positive feedback,” she recalls. With the sales, marketing and even additional inventory that Wilkerson provided, Breakiron insists she could never have accomplished her going-out-of-business sale without Wilkerson’s help. She’s now ready for the journey ahead, but looking back, she’d be sure to recommend Wilkerson. “They just made the whole process very seamless.”