ENTREPRENEUR Russell Simmons will visit Africa to learn how to improve lives there through the diamond industry. Simmons, who works with De Beers on his line of jewelry, said that he is starting the Diamond Empowerment Fund to teach Africans how to cut and polish diamonds. Simmons believes that the diamond industry should lead economic empowerment in Africa.

During the nine-day tour, Simmons will visit diamond mines and factories in South Africa and Botswana. He will be looking at how the diamond industry can contribute to improving education and health services in distressed communities.

Simmons established his diamond jewelry company in 2004 together with Fabrikant. The company asserts that its products are free of “conflict diamonds.”