(PRESS RELEASE) NEW YORK — Before an audience of industry leaders, designers, retailers, and dignitaries from Botswana including the Honorable Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Mr. Lefoko Moagi, Diamonds Do Good (DDG) recognized leaders who represent the tenet that ‘Doing Good is Good Business’ on the eve of the opening of JCK Las Vegas earlier this month.
The funds raised will be used to provide educational and entrepreneurship grants to empower young people living in natural diamond communities around the world.
Recipients receiving recognition included:
- Valérie Messika who received DDG’s NextGen Award for bringing innovativeness to diamond jewelry design while inspiring the next generation to take action and make a difference in the world;
- Rosy Blue who received DDG’s Visionary Award for their pioneering leadership as early adopters to incorporate social, environmental, economic, and ethical factors into their corporate strategic decision-making process;
- Lorraine West who received DDG’s Inspiration Award for her talent, perseverance and achievements in the diamond and jewelry industry;
- De Beers, who received DDG’s GOOD Award for their Building Forever commitment to create a lasting positive impact for the people and places where natural diamonds are found.
Al Cook, De Beers CEO said, “I am delighted to accept this award on behalf of De Beers and on behalf of the communities, countries and customers that we are proud to call our partners”.
“The recipients of these awards reflect the importance of engaging community around the world”, says DDG Co-Founder and Civil Rights Leader Dr. Benjamin Chavis, Jr.
DDG President, Anna Martin, concurs: “Now more than ever we need to reaffirm and share this commitment with consumers everywhere”.
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The videos detailing the work of these recipients can be viewed here.
Formerly known as the Diamond Empowerment Fund, Diamonds Do Good is a not-for-profit organization inspired in 2006 by Nelson Mandela to tell the world about the positive impact of diamonds in Southern Africa. Its focus today is to create meaningful change in natural diamond communities across the world and to tell these meaningful stories.