D.E.F. Donates $122,500 to African Leadership Academy

(IDEX Online News) – The Diamond Empowerment Fund (D.E.F.) has given $122,500 to the African Leadership Academy (ALA).

The ALA, which is located in Johannesburg, South Africa, guides outstanding young students through a two-year program to prepare them for college. It stresses leadership, entrepreneurship and African studies. The students then return to their home countries after graduation to build and improve their own communities.

The check was presented to ALA co-founders Fred Swaniker and Chris Bradford, on the eve of the African Leadership Academy’s Student Indaba held in New York City. Also on hand to receive D.E.F.’s donation was Graça Machel Mandela, former first lady of both Mozambique and South Africa.

The following day D.E.F. attended ALA’s regional indaba, a student-led day of sessions for ALA graduates, held at New York City’s Barnard College. 

"These bright young students are a shining example of Africa’s future,” said D.E.F. president Phyllis Bergman, CEO of Mercury Ring.

“D.E.F is proud to support these emerging leaders who represent our ‘Diamonds Do Good’ mission of supporting transformative initiatives in global diamond communities.”