de CASTELLANE GALLERY
525 Atlantic Ave between 3rd and 4th Aves
Brooklyn, NY 11217
http://www.decastellanegallery.com

RSVP by May 24 to give@diamondempowerment.org

On view: Eyes of Africa, the photographs of Roger Hoit
This exhibition examines the beautiful faces Hoit encountered amidst a range of diverse settings throughout Kenya and Tanzania. The Artist has donated 5 prints to DEF and he and the Gallery will donate 50% of the proceeds of sales during the event to DEF.

Diamond Empowerment Fund is a non-profit international organization with the mission to raise money to support education initiatives in African nations where diamonds are a natural resource.

This celebration is by invitation. Please come, enjoy and support through the purchase of art or other opportunities to donate at the event.

With special thanks to

WWW.DIAMONDEMPOWERMENT.ORG
Contact: 917 229 7231

by Flaviana Matata

When I was asked to visit African Leadership Academy (ALA) and CIDA City Campus I had no clue as to what to expect.  But the more I learnt about the schools the more exited and honored I got about the visit.  The two schools have the same goal, but structured differently but each with its own unique and amazing characteristics. The most important thing is that I am glad I am part of this unique and rewarding initiative. As a Diamond Empowerment Fund (DEF) Angel I will make sure the kids of Africa get the best education through DEF and other similar funds.

First I visited the ALA school…the visit was very relaxing and the students were excited to see me, but more importantly to see someone from DEF, which means the world to them.  I was received by Mr. Chris Bradford, the Chief Operating Officer and one of the founding members.  Together with Chris, there was a group of students from Tanzania…I must say, these young students are probably the most intelligent, well informed Tanzanian students I have ever met. The student took me on a school tour which gave me a unique opportunity to get their perspective of the school and experience.

ALA, as compared to CIDA, target student from age 16 through 21.  ALA would then prepare these students for top universities in the USA, the UK, and many other top universities in the world. I met students who have been accepted with full scholarships to Cornell,

Flaviana with the students of African Leadership Academy

University of Pennsylvania, Bryn Mawr College, Stanford and some still waiting for responses from other top schools such as Harvard, Yale etc. This would have been an impossible dream for these students if it was not for ALA.

ALA only has a total of 189 students, but the target should be way more than that…may be 3,000 students in the next five years. This can only be possible if we are able to bring the awareness and show the world that this is possible.  Lets teach the new generation how to fish and not depend on handovers.  ALA you have my commitment and will spread the word out there.

The following day I went to CIDA City Campus…CIDA is a university for those talented students who cannot afford the education.  CIDA would identify these students and encourage their unique talents.  For example I met a student who is good at photography and the school allowed him to develop that into a business within the school. This gives these students an opportunity to do what they are good at and developing them into businesses that they can perform competitively. Last year 82% of the graduating class got employed right after graduation.  This is a huge percentage considering the unemployment levels in Africa and worse the economic downturn currently affecting the world.

Flaviana with the students of CIDA City Campus

My discussion with Mr. Nesan Chetty, Senior Manager – Marketing, further explained the important role DEF is playing in changing the future of these young students and in-turn Africa.  He further highlighted some of the challenges CIDA is facing…the largest being the facility.  They are currently housed in an 8 storey leased bank building, with no sports facility.  They are in dire need of a new complex to give these talented students an experience like any other University.  Mr. Chetty explained that they have already located a piece of land and they are currently in a funds mobilization phase.  The sooner this happens, the sooner we see this institution develop into a world class facility.

I would like to personally thank Russell Simmons for his dedication and ever support of these schools.  Above all, for introducing me to DEF and to show me how I can give back.

Regards
Flaviana Matata

Diamond Empowerment Fund™ (D.E.F) has now for an Ambassador Program for D.E.F. called Africa’s Angels. The Angels will be selected for their compassion, commitment to D.E.F.’s mission, and their ability to leverage their influence, contacts and celebrity to raise awareness and funds in support of the organization’s vision to help Africans help Africa though education that empowers and provides tangible skills to help build lives.

The Africa’s Angels program launched in fall of 2008 with the appointment of South African-born supermodel Nicola Breytenbach. The summer of 2009 saw reality television star and celebrity, Kim Kardashian becoming Africa’s Angel. In 2010, DEF added 2 other Angels, Selita Ebanks and Flaviana Matata.

Angels are selected by D.E.F’s Advisory Board Chairman, Russell Simmons.

Joseph "Rev Run" and Justine Simmons, Nicola Breytenbach-Steiner, Kim Kardashian and Russell Simmons.

photo courtesy of Johnny Nunez.

Africa’ Angel’s Ambassador’s, Nicola and Kim pictured above attending the Diamond For Africa dinner hosted by Hearst Corp and  Diamond Information Center for the Diamond Empowerment Fund.

Click here to find out more details about ANGELS!

In the fourteen years since she first started Modeling, South African-born beauty Nicola Breytenbach has graced the pages of Cosmopolitan, Elle magazine, Vogue and American Marie Claire, to name a few. She’s walked the runways of Milan, Paris, London and New York for designers Chanel, Galliano and Dior. She’s done campaigns for Revlon, L’Oreal and worked alongside international supermodels Kate Moss, Cindy Crawford and Claudia Schiffer.

And it all started when Nicola’s mother’s hairdresser spotted her and managed to convince her to see a modelling agent in Amsterdam. Born and raised in Durban, South Africa, Nicola’s parents got divorced when she was 5 years old and she later moved to Europe with her mother and stepfather shortly after her 3rd birthday.  “My mother remarried 8 years thereafter and we moved to The Netherlands because my stepfather was working for the United Nations. After meeting with a modeling agent I decided to take a year off before embarking on my law studies. I wasn’t sure what to do so I decided to give it a shot for a year
and it just snowballed from there.”

And the rest, as they say is history. Before she knew it Nicola was heading for supermodel stardom. Nicola got her big break when she was appointed as Dior’s in-house model and it wasn’t long before she turned into one of the hottest ramp models in Europe. But the excitement didn’t stop there. A few years later she was approached by Trump Models in New York and moved her life to The Big Apple.

Within months she joined Trump Models, owned by Donald Trump, and landed a contract with cosmetics giant, Revlon, as the face for their Absolutely Fabulous campaign. Donald Trump also handpicked Nicola to appear in the second and third season of the popular reality TV series, The Apprentice.

She says the most challenging part about modeling at that time was maintaining a balance between her career and personal life.

“It’s very important to stay close to those people that are important to you. They remain supportive while you have to be focused and professional, but when it’s time to relax, I give them 100%.”

Downtime for Nicola means being able to relax with her husband, Ben Steiner, family and friends and just taking it easy. She loves painting and cooking and enjoys the odd New York shopping spree.

Partying and socializing are the last things on Nicola’s mind at the moment. She is intricately involved in the development of her first perfume called “Nicola” which is due in stores in 2009 and is increasingly spending more time and energy working for her favorite charity The Diamond Empowerment Fund (D.E.F.).

Nicola on being part of DEF – Full Statement

As a high profile South African living abroad I been looking for a worthy charity to support with a South African connection that had the same visions and ideals as my own for many years. I have been approached by numerous Organizations for support along the years but it was not until Russell Simmons and The Diamond Empowerment Fund (DEF) came to my attention that I felt that I had finally found an organization that I could put my heart, celebrity and enthusiasm behind for a cause I truly believed in and have been searching for so long.

I recently visited CIDA Campus and Maharishi Institute in Johannesburg, South Africa and was blown away by what I saw. What has been accomplished by CIDA with the support of DEF is unbelievable. A free university at which students can obtain recognized degrees, together with accommodation and a totally unique approach to education. It’s truly inspiring to see what the vision of a few can accomplish. I has humbled by the enthusiasm of the students and the mutual respect they have for each other and visitors. I was even more impressed by the dedication they showed to their own institution. I learnt that many of the students actively participate in the expansion and upkeep of the facilities, painting walls, laying gardens, whatever needs to be done so that it truly feels like the institute belongs to them.

It was so refreshing and inspiring to meet such unique and outstanding individuals who understand and appreciate the value of education that I can honestly count myself as a very humbled individual.

“As a high profile South African living abroad I been looking for a worthy charity to support with a South African connection that had the same visions and ideals as my own for many years. I have been approached by numerous Organizations for support along the years but it was not until Russell Simmons and The Diamond Empowerment Fund (DEF) came to my attention that I felt that I had finally found an organization that I could put my heart, celebrity and enthusiasm behind for a cause I truly believed in and have been searching for so long. It is a true honor for me to support the DEF and be a part of such an amazing organization.” Nicola Breytenbach

Dark haired beauty Kim Kardashian became an unexpected star after the first airing of her hit E! reality series “Keeping up with the Kardashians.” The show follows the exploits of the Kardashian/Jenner family, which includes father Bruce Jenner, mom Kris Jenner, Kim, Kourtney, Khloe and Robert Kardashian and Kendall and Kylie Jenner, in their Calabasas home. The shows third season premieres on March 8, 2009.

Kardashian grew up with an almost fairy-tale childhood. She was the second child, born to Kris and prominent defense attorney Robert Kardashian. Her parents had four children at the time of their divorce. Her mom eventually married famous Olympic Gold Medalist Bruce Jenner, who also had four children, and they became a modern day Brady Bunch. Bruce and Kris had two more children together, bringing the extended family of children to ten.

Kardashian first feature film, DISASTER MOVIE, for Lionsgate stars Carmen Electra, Matt Lanter and Vanessa Minnillo. The comedy, a spoof of recent films, follows an unsuspecting group of twenty-somethings who find themselves bombarded by a series of natural disasters and catastrophic events.

In September 2008, Kardashian competed on the ABC hit series “Dancing with the Stars” where she was paired with defending Champion Mark Ballas.

Kardashian will also be seen on The N’s series “Beyond the Break,” and has continual hosting stints on E! Entertainment Tonight/The Insider and EXTRA. She has also appeared on “The Simple Life,” and “How I Met Your Mother.” Se is currently producing her first show called “Crisis Control.”

Employing her entrepreneurial business skills, Kardashian started on her own as a fashion stylist and became and immediate sought after wardrobe stylist for infomercials, television shows, music videos and photo shoots. But it was her organizational, orderly arrangement and construction of high fashion closets that led Kardashian into a unique line of work overhauling and designing closets for celebrities.

In 2006, together with her sisters Kourtney and Khloe, Kardashian opened the designer clothing store DASH in Calabasas, California; a must-shop-at store for those with discriminating, yet fashionable taste.

Kardashian will launch her own perfume in 2009 through New Wave Fragrances. It will be available in the United States, Germany, Australia, England and Japan. Her online shoe company, ShoeDazzle.com, launched in March and will provide affordable, fashionable shoes to its members.

www.kimkardashian.com, Kardashian’s official website gets 6 million page views a month, making it the fastest growing celebrity blog on the web. The site is updated daily and includes frequent blogs from Kardashian, her appearances in the press, beauty tips and relationship advice and the sale of her workout video “Kim Kardashian’s Body Beautiful,” which she created with her trainer Kathy Kaehler. The workout targets 4 different body parts and can be downloaded individually or purchased as the whole workout on a DVD. Some of the proceeds from the video will benefit the Westside Guild of Ararat Home in Los Angeles, an Armenian convalescent/old age assisted living facility and the AFESIP, which combats trafficking in women and children sold for sex slavery. She is currently filming a new fitness DVD for Watch It Now Entertainment, which will be available in 2009.

When not working, Kardashian gives her time to charitable causes. She is a Dream Foundation ambassador which grants last wishes to terminally ill adults and does regular sales on Ebay to generate donations for the charity. She also recently completed PSA’s about the political plight in Burma and Breast Cancer awareness and also participated in a photo shoot promoting the “Until There’s A Cure” bracelet dedicated to eradicating HIV/AIDS by raising awareness and funds to combat the pandemic.

Kardashian currently makes her home in Los Angeles.

WATCH KIM ON E! NEWS