DIAMOND EMPOWERMENT FUND\u2019S <\/o:p><\/span><\/span><\/b><\/div>\n
FIRST ANNUAL GOOD AWARDS LIGHTSUP MANHATTAN<\/span><\/span><\/b><\/o:p><\/span><\/span><\/b><\/div>\n
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New York, NY; January11, 2012\u2014<\/span><\/span><\/b>Atop the Empire Rooftop Hotel the DiamondEmpowerment Fund held its inaugural GOOD Awards on January 5, 2012. The festiveaffair kicked off a weekend filled with annual industry luncheons and galadinners.<\/o:p><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
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Fourindividuals received GOOD Awards for outstanding leadership in the area of goodcorporate citizenship, sustainability, and helping to communicate the diamondindustry\u2019s commitment to helping individuals through education in African diamond-producingnations. The four were:<\/o:p><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
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Ms. Varda Shine, CEO and the Diamond Trading Company (A De Beers Group Company)<\/span><\/span><\/b><\/o:p><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
Mr. <\/span><\/span><\/b>Edward Hrabak, SVP General Merchandising Manager and Sterling Jewelers Inc<\/span><\/span><\/b><\/o:p><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
Ms. Rebecca Foerster, U.S. Manager Marketing and Sales and Rio Tinto Diamonds:<\/span><\/span><\/b> <\/b><\/span><\/span><\/o:p><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
Ms. Ivanka Trump, Founder and Principal and Ivanka Trump Fine Jewelry (<\/span><\/span><\/b>Under the \u2018New and Brightest\u2019 category )<\/span><\/span><\/o:p><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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Videos of thehonorees and their good works can be found on diamondempowerment.org.<\/span><\/span><\/o:p><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
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A highlight ofthe GOOD Awards\u2019 evening was a jaw-dropping performance by Grammy-nominatedsinger Melanie Fiona, who almost brought the roof down with the incrediblerange of her voice and her R&B themed song choices. Another highlight wasthe rhythmic beat of music played throughout the evening by New York\u2019s famous DJM.O.S. <\/o:p><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
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Russell Simmons,co-founder of the Diamond Empowerment Fund and chair of its Advisory Boardsummed up the evening by stating <\/span><\/span>\u201cThe Diamond Empowerment Fund is unique to the diamondindustry. It\u2019s about action and empowerment on the ground in Africa. Thefirst-ever GOOD Awards is also unique and was designed to shine on a light onthose within the diamond and jewelry industry who understand the importance,urgency and impact education can have. I’m happy to say the event was asuccess.”<\/o:p><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Added Board President Phyllis Bergman, \u201cThe GOOD Awardsallowed us to put the Diamond Empowerment Fund on the map for the industry. Wehad an amazing turnout and the feedback has been incredibly positive. We aregrateful for the sponsorship from industry leaders, Sterling Jewelers, Inc, RioTinto Diamonds, Julius Klein and Ritani and the Gemological Institue of Amercia(GIA) whose support helped us put together such a wonderful event. Withadditional support from the industry moving forward, we can further our missionof building and strengthening diamond producing nations through the educationof their youth\u201d<\/span><\/span> <\/o:p><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
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Honoree IvankaTrump reinforced this message affirming \u201cit\u2019s just good business to care abouteveryone involved in the various layers of production\u2026especially when the endproduct is such a beautiful symbol of love\u201d.<\/o:p><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
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<\/o:p><\/span><\/span><\/b>About the Diamond EmpowermentFund<\/span><\/span><\/b><\/div>\n
The Diamond Empowerment Fund is a New York based non-profitorganization (EIN# 20-5967103) that raises money to support educationinitiatives in African nations where diamonds are a natural resource. It wasestablished in 2007 by a group of individuals and businesses in the diamond andjewelry industry, with the belief that education is essential to empower bothindividuals and society to reach their fullest potential.<\/o:p><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
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