Diamonds Do Good Awards Gala honours Helzberg Diamonds, David Oyelowo and Her Excellency Graca Machel

On the eve of the opening of the world’s largest diamond and jewelry trade show, JCK Las Vegas, the Diamond Empowerment Fund (D.E.F) raised over $1,060,000 to provide scholarships and assistance to empower young people globally. Anna Martin, D.E.F President and V.P. Global Development and Beneficiary, GIA, said: "This event symbolizes the collective good the diamond and jewelry industry continues to do in communities around the world where they do business. Not enough consumers are aware of this positive fact." http://www.diamondsdogood.com/all-stories/

Over 450 industry leaders were in attendance hailing 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.

 Diamond Empowerment Fund President Anna Martin with Diamonds Do Good Honorees Her Excellency Graca Machel, Actor and Social Justice Advocate David Oyelowo, Helzberg Diamonds CEO Beryl Raff

Diamond Empowerment Fund President Anna Martin with Diamonds Do Good Honorees Her Excellency Graca Machel, Actor and Social Justice Advocate David Oyelowo, Helzberg Diamonds CEO Beryl Raff

"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," emphasized Dr. Benjamin Chavis, co-founder of D.E.F.

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," says Beryl Raff, CEO of Helzberg Diamonds. "As a business we share this love by building up communities across the nation."

An 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," says Oyelowo.

Graca Machel, former first Lady of Mozambiqu 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. Says 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."

Sadhvi Shilapiji, headmaster of Veerayatan's colleges based in Gujarat, India, also was a guest presenter who thanked D.E.F for supporting the education of the youth of 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.

"Without the help of the Botswana Top Achievers program and the Diamond Empowerment Fund I would not have been able to be pursuing my PH.D in geodetic science which involves using satellite positions to find gravity over the earth," said student scholar Nlingi Habana.

Lead sponsors of the Diamonds Do Good Gala included Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group, the De Beers Group of Companies, Signet Jewelers (Kays Jewelers, Jared the Galleria of Jewelry, Zales Jewelers), Le Vian and Rosy Blue.