Dr. Benjamin Chavis, the co-founder and senior strategic advisor to The Diamond Empowerment Fund (DEF), is presenting a talk on how industry members can connect with today’s global consumer through their social outreach programs. The talk is slated on July 29, at the JA NY show’s seminar room in the Jacob Javits Center.

While noting that today’s young consumers do take interest in researching and rewarding companies who have a social purpose, Chavis added that “It just makes good business sense to show them that when they celebrate life’s special moments with the purchase of a diamond, they are contributing to the communities where diamonds are found. Programs such as the Diamond Empowerment Fund’s Diamonds for Good membership program allows theses businesses to share in DEF’s mission of empowering the next generation of leaders in diamond producing countries through access to higher education.”

Along with Chavis, other industry professionals also speaking include Cecilia Gardner, the president, CEO, and general Counsel of the Jewelers Vigilance Committee; David J. Bonaparte, the president and CEO of Jewelers of America; Ngomesia Mayer-Kechom, the manager for international program of the Diamond Development Initiative, amongst others including Jose W. Fernandez, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Economics and Business Affairs.

There will also be a showcase of the DEF new line of Empowerment Jewelry during the show. DEF will also undertake promotions at the show. Diamonds for Good membership forms will be available, and all new members who join at the JA show are eligible to enter DEF’s raffle to win the iconic green malachite bracelet with diamond accents.