DEF Holds First Annual Good Awards
January 12, 12
(IDEX Online News) – Helping 2012 get off to a good start, the Diamond Empowerment Fund (DEF) held its inaugural “GOOD Awards” in New York last week. The awards are given for outstanding leadership in the area of good corporate citizenship, sustainability, and helping to communicate the diamond industry’s commitment to helping individuals through education in African diamond-producing nations.
“The Diamond Empowerment Fund is unique to the diamond industry,” said DEF co-founder and chair of its advisory board Russell Simmons. “It’s about action and empowerment on the ground in Africa. The first-ever GOOD Awards is also unique and was designed to shine on a light on those within the diamond and jewelry industry who understand the importance, urgency and impact education can have.”
“With additional support from the industry moving forward, we can further our mission of building and strengthening diamond producing nations through the education of their youth,” said board president Phyllis Bergman as she acknowledged the companies who sponsored the event. They included Sterling Jewelers, Inc, Rio Tinto Diamonds, Julius Klein, Ritani and the Gemological Institue of Amercia (GIA).
Founded in 2007, the DEF is a New York-based non-profit organization that raises money to support education initiatives in those African nations where diamonds are a natural resource.