The Diamond Empowerment Fund™ (D.E.F) has formed a Donor Advocates Program called ATHLETES FOR AFRICA (A.F.A). The AFA Members are 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. ATHLETES FOR AFRICA members will help the Diamond Empowerment Fund’s cause by personally embracing the mission.

Reggie Bush, Ray Crockett, Kim and Khloe Kardashian visit Botswana and South Africa.

CLICK HERE TO BECOME AN ATHLETE FOR AFRICA

Serving as co-chairs of the advisory committee are D.E.F. Governing Board member Jaci Wilson Reid and former NFL Player Ray Crockett.

Jaci Wilson Reid is a volunteer fundraiser for non-profit organizations focused on women, children, the arts and minority causes.  For the past nine years she has hosted the Behind the Bench, the National Basketball Wives Assoc. annual Luncheon, benefiting the Behind the Bench organization and honoring the charitable efforts of individuals and organizations.  Jaci is also a managing director of Westin Rinehart, focused on philanthropic strategies and lifestyle marketing.  Jaci has served as a member of D.E.F. Governing Board since 2008.

As a stellar fourteen year NFL corner, Ray Crockett spent five years with the Detroit Lions 89-93, seven with the Denver Broncos 94-00 and two with Kansas City Chiefs 01-02.  An important note here is that Ray Crockett, serving as captain, was a member of Denver’s Back to Back World Championship teams in ‘97 and ’98, earning him two rings for Super Bowls XXXII and XXXIII. A graduate of Baylor University, Ray has been very active in business and entertainment as well.  He owns several companies and has been in movies, on TV shows and on radio stations across the U.S.  Ray’s heart lies within his community.  He has hosted charity events that have helped benefit numerous charities including the American Cancer Society, The Lupus Foundation and The Children’s Charities.

For further information please contact Ellen Haddigan, Executive Director, Diamond Empowerment Fund,
O: 917-229-7231, C: 917-658-6657, E: ehaddigan@diamondempowerment.org

Diamond Producing countries in Africa fact sheets:

Angola

Botswana

Central African Republic

Democratic Republic of Congo

Ivory Coast

Liberia

Namibia

The Republic of Congo (Congo Brazzaville)

Sierra Leone

South Africa

Tanzania

click on a country above to learn more

What does the word LEADERSHIP mean? I suspect it has many different meanings for lots of people. It also carries different meanings and connotations depending on where you live in the world. There is no place on earth where the need for good leadership is more dire than in Africa. Unfortunately historically Africa has often produced less than exemplary leaders.

*Nicola pictured above attending the Diamond For Africa dinner hosted by Hearst Corp and  Diamond Information Center for the Diamond Empowerment Fund.

It is for this reason that focusing our efforts on the future leaders of Africa couldn’t be more important. The youth of Africa are the future of Africa, they hold in their hands the keys but it is our duty to show them how to unlock the doors to their future.

We have however had some truly great leaders in Africa; Biko, Mandela, Tutu jump to mind. But when I talk about leadership and leaders I’m not just referring to heads of state and leaders of countries. Great leaders can be parents, teachers, policemen and doctors. By leading by example and being a good role model to the youth of Africa you have the ability to effect change and it is this change today that will change tomorrow and ultimately the future of Africa as we know it.

Having spent my early years growing up in South Africa I am acutely aware what the results of bad leadership can be and the devastation it can cause whole populations. Not just in South Africa but across the entire continent.

This is why the Diamond Empowerment Fund for me is the perfect way to foster, nurture and encourage the future leaders of Africa. The most powerful tool Africa’s youth have at their disposal is education. Through education we can effect change in Africa. John F. Kennedy once said “Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other” and I couldn’t agree more.

During my visit with the DEF to CIDA City Campus and the Maharishi Institute last year I was so impressed with the enthusiasm and dedication shown by the students. They are young, confident individuals who have not let their life circumstances stand in their way. During a Q & A session I asked the students what they wanted to achieve and do with their lives. Every single student had a dream, an aspiration to achieve greatness. Together with the DEF it is our duty to bottle their enthusiasm and dreams in order that they can make them a reality. They are the future leaders of tomorrow and the future of Africa.

One of my favourite quotes comes from Africa’s greatest leader Nelson Mandela “It is better to lead from behind and to put others in front, especially when you celebrate victory when nice things occur. You take the front line when there is danger. Then people will appreciate your leadership.”

- Nicola

The Diamond Empowerment Fund, Kim Kardashian, Reggie Bush and Ray Crockett help to raise awareness of the importance of education in African countries where diamonds are a natural resource.

Special thanks to: South African Airways, Diamond Information Center, De Beers South Africa, Debswana, DTC Botswana, Jemal Countess and Getty Images, Alastair Christopher

July 22, 2009 (NEW YORK) – On July 13, media personality Kim Kardashian, professional football player Reggie Bush, former professional football player Ray Crockett and members of their family traveled to South Africa on behalf of hip-hop pioneer and social entrepreneur Russell Simmons’ Diamond Empowerment Fund™(D.E.F.). The trip helped raise awareness for D.E.F. while educating Kim and Reggie on D.E.F.’s mission and purpose. Kim has become a member of D.E.F.’s Africa’s Angels Ambassador program, while Reggie has been announced as a founding member of D.E.F.’s Athletes for Africa program.

Founded in 2007, D.E.F. (www.diamondempowerment.org) is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising money to support education initiatives that help empower economically-disadvantaged people in African nations where diamonds are a natural resource. Established by individuals and businesses in the diamond and jewelry industries and others committed to the empowerment of Africa, D.E.F. believes education is one of the most critical elements that powers society and empowers individuals to realize their full human potential.

Many people are unaware of the role diamonds play in bringing real benefits to people in countries around the world, and most prominently, to Africa. Most African countries have to charge students for their education, because they do not have sufficient tax revenues to pay for a public education system. Botswana, with the help of diamond revenues, is one of the exceptions. The group saw firsthand how diamonds have helped in the development of the country, from the mining operations at Jwaneng, to the surrounding community including the Acacia School. At the diamond sorting facility in Gaborone, they learned how diamonds create jobs for skilled workers.

“It’s impossible to know how awareness will be raised for D.E.F. from Reggie and Kim’s trip to Africa. They both have so much influence on young people around the world,” says D.E.F. founder, Russell Simmons. “When they say that kids in diamond producing countries in Africa deserve a shot at their dreams, people start to think a little bit differently about what matters. I am so proud of them, Reggie’s mom, Denise, as well as Kim’s sister, Khloe Kardashian, and retired football legend Ray Crockett, who joined Kim and Reggie on this trip and part of this beautiful effort.”

Later in the trip while in Johannesburg, the group visited the Cotlands, an orphanage for HIV positive infants, where they shared special moments with each of the kids. Another extraordinary visit on their itinerary was to the African Children’s Feeding Scheme (ACFS), where the basic human needs of these children are paramount through providing two daily meals to 18,000 AIDS orphans, school dropouts and child-headed families daily. Initiatives like these are supported by companies like De Beers South Africa as part of their philanthropic initiatives. At the Feeding Scheme, the group helped prepare a meal and feed the kids.

“My first trip to Africa was filled with so many incredible experiences. I am excited to have seen how diamonds help empower the people of Botswana and South Africa, especially the wonderful students deserving of an education,” says Kim Kardashian. ”I am truly happy to be a part of the Diamond Empowerment Fund family.”

Professional football player Reggie Bush was incredibly moved by the trip. “I traveled to Africa with high expectations and my experience has exceeded them all. The people, the culture and the landscape were all so enriching to me personally. I hope I can continue to give back to the people I met and hopefully many more. This trip will impact my daily life and the people I interact with from this day forward.”

Kim, Reggie and Ray especially gained insight on D.E.F.’s mission to empower through education when they visited CIDA City Campus, the first virtually free college in Africa, support by D.E.F. They also visited the Maharishi Institute and met with students from the African Leadership Academy. They saw firsthand how programs like these give children the chance to further their education gain employment once finished with their education.

Former professional football player Ray Crockett was personally moved by each of these visits. “I traveled to South Africa with an open mind and heart and returned with a new outlook on life. Despite their problems, the African children in the facilities we visited there were so thankful and hopeful for a new and better day. I now realize how blessed we all are.”

For more information about the Diamond Empowerment Fund, please visit: diamondempowerment.org. To learn about Diamonds in Africa and all the projects going on to help these communities, please visit: diamondfacts.org and to read about all the initiatives De Beers is engaged in, please visit: http://www.debeersgroup.com/en/Sustainability/Communities/

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About the Diamond Empowerment Fund:
Founded in 2007, The Diamond Empowerment Fund (D.E.F.) is a non-profit international organization established by the individuals and businesses in the diamond and jewelry industry committed to the empowerment of communities and countries where diamonds are a natural resource. For more information about D.E.F., go to diamondempowerment.org.

It is life changing to be in the Motherland with my mom, as well as Kim and Khloe, and Ray Crockett,  on behalf of the Diamond Empowerment Fund (DEF). They’re about empowerment through education in Africa’s diamond producing countries. It’s been such an incredible week – I don’t even know where to start. We’ve seen the highest highs and the lowest lows. Everywhere we’ve gone we’ve been sung to by our hosts as a way of sharing and welcoming us.

Reggie Bush and Former President of Botswana, Festus Mogae at a childrens rehabilitation center in Mochudi, Botswana.

Getting here from home in LA was no joke. 25+ hours in the air by the time we made it to our first stop, a children’s rehabilitation center outside Gaborone, Botswana. We were met by the country’s former President Festus Mogae and the people from DeBeers in Botswana for a tour and visit with the kids. From there, we drove 2 hours each way to the community of Jwaneng, where Botswana’s biggest diamond mine is located. We visited a school where all the kids of the mine workers go where a kid asked me what it’s like playing against Chad Johnson. I didn’t think these kids in a village in Africa would know American football, nevermind playing against Ocho Cinco.

From there, we returned to South Africa where we had some drama at the airport when Kim couldn’t make it into the country because her passport was left on the plane. After all of us cleared and Kim was still stuck on the other side, we talked them into letting me back out where the planes were parked.  By some miracle I found it.

Kim, Reggie, Former Botswana President Festus G. Mogae, Ellen Haddigan, and Reggie’s mom Denise Griffin at the children’s rehabilitation center in Mochudi, Botswana.

Yesterday was packed from beginning to end with the following stops: 1) center for children from birth to 9 years old with HIV, 2) children’s feeding program in Soweto where we got to do the distribution of the morning meal of bread with peanut butter and a glass of milk and tossed footballs with some of the boys. The grannies who run and care for the children sang and danced for us and my mom was overwhelmed with tears by how beautiful the moment was. We all were. 3) lunch with the head of De Beers South Africa. 4) visit to CIDA City Campus, a free college that DEF supports. 5) visit to Maharshi Institute, a business college that uses meditation and is a favorite of DEF’s founder Russell Simmons. 6) visit with 3 students from the African Leadership Academy who were mad smart and will one day be in charge. 7) Dinner hosted by Lee-Anne Summers and Andrew Farr in a penthouse where the suprise guests were a pair of lion cubs, no joke.

Today we are catching our breath and getting ready to do a safari. Africa is nothing what I expected but much more. The people are incredible, the cities have everything we’ve got, but there’s also huge needs to get all these kids the resources they deserve for a better life. That’s why I am going to get to work helping DEF’s Athletes for Africa program. We can do this.

-Reggie Bush

left to right: DEF Executive Director Ellen Haddigan, DEF Intern Lesego Mathware, DEF Board Member and former WJA President Phyllis Bergman, Miss Africa USA Nyasha Zimucha, DIVA award winner Evelyn Huang, WJA President Yancy Weinrich, DIVA award winners Susan Shannon of Lim Studio and Pamela Froman of Pamela Froman Fine Jewelry, and DEF Board Co-President Dr. Ben Chavis.

The worldwide diamond and jewelry industry meets for a week in May to June at the JCK and Couture events.  These independent multinational events bring producers, designers, manufacturers, retailers, press together. Most importantly, ideas and industry trends are shared through various networking sessions including panel discussions and keynote speeches.

This year was D.E.F’s 3rd year participating and  great meetings we had with designers and manufactures who are very supportive of the cause and its mission. Finally, D.E.F had the great opportunity to be chosen as the charitable partner for this years Womens Jewelry Association’s DIVA GIVES BACK competition.

DIVA GIVES BACK

Womens Jewelry Association held a press conference announcing this years Diva Gives Back winners at JCK 2009 and a cocktail party at club LAVO in Las Vegas. Special guest, Niyasha Zimucha along with diamond Jewelry executives were in attendance at both the press  conference and cocktail party. DEF would like to thank WJA and sponsors, GIA and Rio Tinto forbeing chosen as theis years charitable partner.

Miss Africa USA, Niyasha Zimucha and DIVA award winner Evelyn Huang.

DIVA award winner, Evelyn Huang was present at the cocktail party to share the great insight on her inspiration while designing the winning peice. Miss Africa USA, Niyasha Zimucha came to share her experiences, as a South African, she explained how important the Diamond Jewelry Industry in United States is important to diamond producing nations in Africa.

OTHER ACTIVITIES

Miss Africa USA, Niyasha Zimucha checks out the Simmons Jewelry Co

DEF proud supporter, Simmons Jewelry Company, was also exhibiting at JCK and the DEF team along with Miss Africa USA, Niysha Zimucha visited them. Simmons Jewelry Co. has been at the forefront with supporting D.E.F through creating the Green Bracelet, D.E.F.’s first symbol.

DEF also met with different representatives in the industry at all levels of the jewelry pipe line and looks forward to reporting on positive developments.

Please click here for the WJA Press Release.

Russell Simmons, CEO Rush Communications, Kiyotaka Akasaka, U.N. Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information, Raymond Wolfe, Jamaica’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations and Chairman of the Permanent Memorial Committee.

Photo Courtesy of Christina Paljusaj.

American entrepreneur, hip-hop and fashion pioneer, Russell Simmons was appointed the “Goodwill Ambassador For The Permanent Memorial To Honor The Victims Of Slavery And The Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade” at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, on Wednesday, 20 May 2009 at 10:00 a.m. The hour-long ceremony was also doubled with the official launch of the Trust Fund for the Permanent Memorial which will acknowledge and benefit one of the most profoundly tragic periods in the history of humankind.

“It’s humbling to be invited to join the UN Community in this role as Goodwill Ambassador. In recognizing the past, we understand the stakes in ensuring that something as devastating to the human condition as the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade will never happen again,” stated Russell
Simmons. “My commitment in life is to be of service to the empowerment of young people living in struggle, who undoubtedly have been effected by this legacy. I look to the future with inspiration and faith as we work every day to bring freedom and equality to all young people around the world.”

UN Goodwill Ambassador, Russell Simmons.

To hear AUDIO from event, please click UN Audio

Co-hosted by the Permanent Mission of Jamaica to the United Nations, the Member States of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the African Union (AU) and in collaboration with the UN Office for Partnerships and the UN Department for Public Information, the event aims to re-engage the attention of the international community on the horrific nature of slavery, the Trans-Atlantic slave trade and its legacy of discrimination.

“We feel Mr. Simmons is an ideal candidate to espouse the broader concept and objectives of the initiative to erect this permanent memorial,” said Ambassador Raymond O. Wolfe, Jamaica’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations and Chairman of the Permanent Memorial Committee. Simmons, voted among USA Today’s ‘Top 25 Most Influential People of the Past 25 years’, “was an easy choice,” he added.

Ambassador Lila Ratsifandrihamanana of the African Union highlighted the commitment of African countries to the initiative referring to a decision taken at the 12th Assembly of Heads of State and Government which “recognizes the enduring and tragic impact of slave trade as a crime against humanity on the African people and its generations.”

Best known as a leading entrepreneur and hip-hop pioneer, Russell Simmons’ groundbreaking vision has influenced music and the recording industry, fashion, jewelry, finance, television and film, as well as the face of modern philanthropy. As Chairman and CEO of Rush Communications, he has consistently leveraged his influence in the media and popular culture to benefit and acknowledge disadvantaged communities. A devoted yogi, Simmons also leads the non-profit division of his organization, Rush Community Affairs, ensuring its ongoing efforts to empower at-risk youth through the arts (Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation), social engagement (Hip-Hop Summit Action Network), and higher education for Africa (Diamond Empowerment Fund).

To see video from event, click UN VIDEO

Mr. Simmons, a native New Yorker and the proud father of two daughters, is also the Chairman of the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding, dedicated to bringing all religions and ethnicities together. He also serves on the Board of Directors of several organizations, including Petra Nemcova’s Happy Hearts Fund, and is involved in numerous cause initiatives to empower people to be aware of and embrace their full potential.

The Permanent Memorial, honoring the memory of the victims of slavery, will be administered through the Permanent Memorial Fund by the UN Office for Partnerships (UNOP).

Completion date for the Permanent Memorial is set for 2012.  So far, the Fund has received $250,000 of the projected $3.5 m cost from 25 of the 122 Member States, co-sponsors of the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 63/5.

For more information about the Initiative and Mr. Simmons please contact Ms. Annette Richardson, Permanent Memorial Project Manager at 1+ (212) 963-1000 or via email at partner@un.org

Mission

Founded in 2007, The Diamond Empowerment Fund™ (D.E.F.) is a non-profit international organization with the mission to raise money to support education initiatives that develop and empower economically disadvantaged people in African nations where diamonds are a natural resource.

Established by individuals and businesses in the diamond and jewelry industries and others who are committed to the empowerment of Africa, we believe education is one of the most critical elements that powers society and empowers individuals to realize their full human potential. D.E.F. endeavors to partner with African education organizations that have a proven methodology for helping young people achieve success through self-determination, focus, and opportunity.

Vision – Helping Africans Help Africa

The Diamond Empowerment Fund (D.E.F.) envisions a future when poverty in African nations where diamonds are a natural resource is dramatically reduced through successful fund raising initiatives by the diamond jewelry industry to support projects that educate and empower Africans locally. D.E.F. envisions an effort involving the following:

• Diamond jewelry industry supporting D.E.F. through the sale of their products with donations to the Fund;
• People donating to the Fund and also choosing to purchase diamond jewelry products that support D.E.F’s mission;
• African individuals, educational and service organizations, and government entities addressing poverty and education in keeping with D.E.F’s mission.

Former President of Botswana, President F.G. Mogae at the Africa-America Institute

“For our people in Botswana every diamond you buy means food on the table, better living conditions, better health care, safe drinking water, more roads and much, much more. It means that we can build new power stations and expand our electricity network in the country”