The Diamond Empowerment Fund (D.E.F) held its first U.S. based Diamonds in the Sky Las Vegas gala event on May 29th at the eve of the opening of JCK Las Vegas. The organization raised over $1 million to benefit its global mission which aims at supporting initiatives and programs that help diamond communities throughout the world.

At the event, D.E.F. presented the 2014 Global Diamond Industry Achievement Award to His Excellency, the Honorable President Ian Khama and the Government of the Republic of Botswana.

The program was opened with welcoming remarks by D.E.F’s co-founders, Russell Simmons and Philippe Mellier, CEO The De Beers Group of Companies. “Former President Nelson Mandela encouraged us to establish D.E.F to empower people in diamond communities throughout the world. We are here tonight to celebrate that a diamond equals love”, said Russell Simmons. The tempo went pulsating with entertainment segments that included a performance by music icon Chaka Khan and appearances of celebrities. The emcee for the evening was Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr., civil rights leader and D.E.F advisor.

Phyllis Bergman, D.E.F’s President of the Board stated that the new ‘Diamonds Do Good’ platform” will send out the D.E.F. message that the body will continue to be a progressive and socially conscious organization. Bruno Sané, Global Marketing Director for Rio Tinto Diamonds, introduced D.E.F’s new Global Diamonds Do Good video.