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April 2012, New York, NY<\/b>\u2014The Diamond Empowerment Fund (DEF) will host a special \u2018Diamonds at the W\u2019 party at the W Hotel South Beach in Miami, Florida, on Thursday, April 26 from 8:30pm to 11:30 p.m., during the American Gemological Society\u2019s (AGS) Conclave. Transportation to and from Conclave headquarters Doral Hotel and the W South Beach will be provided free of charge, as is the party.<\/span><\/div>\n
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<\/a><\/div>\nA \u2018Raffle for Education\u2019 will be held during the event, to support DEF\u2019s mission of empowering African youth through education in diamond producing nations. Among the prizes are two highly-sought-after tickets to Russell Simmons\u2019 famed, celebrity filled \u2018Art for Life\u2019 benefit at his home in Southampton, New York; a four-night stay during JCK Las Vegas at THEHotel, complete with a luxurious spa treatment, donated by JCK; two tickets to the 51st<\/sup> Rolex 24 at Daytona including a \u2018behind the scenes garage tour\u2019 by the Chip Ganassi Racing team compliments of the Gordon Group. Unique raffle items will also be available by media sponsor Haute Living. Attendees can purchase raffle tickets at the door or through DEF\u2019s website, diamondempowerment.org<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/div>\n
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<\/a><\/div>\nCathy Calhoun, a DEF governing board member and president of AGS, says, \u201cBoth the AGS and DEF understand the importance of education and promoting ethical business practices. AGS members develop superior skills and knowledge that ultimately helps protect the consumer. Through our industry\u2019s support of DEF, student scholars are developing the skills and knowledge to be the next generation of leaders in Africa.\u201d<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n
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<\/a><\/div>\nRussell Simmons, DEF founder and advisory board chairman adds, \u201cAccess to education is critical for sustained progress, economic growth and prosperity in diamond producing countries. Diamonds are a precious resource, and through good governance by the industry they can contribute to the development of Africa\u2019s other precious resource, its people.\u201d<\/i> Simmons was recently voted as the number one Social Change Agent in JCK\u2019s Top 50 Power List of Movers, Shakers and Tastemakers in the Jewelry Industry.<\/span><\/div>\n
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Phyllis Bergman, DEF president, adds, \u201cWe are so pleased to be able to offer AGS attendees an opportunity to get to know DEF a bit better in such a fun, \u2018ready for spring\u2019 venue\u2026and to aid our three beneficiaries is a wonderful statement to the industry\u2019s generosity.”<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n
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DEF\u2019s beneficiaries include: CIDA City Campus<\/b>, a business college in Johannesburg, South Africa, that is free to attendees with the requirement that they return to their native villages and teach for a period of time after graduation. The second is the African Leadership Academy<\/b>, a university preparatory school in Johannesburg that draws students from all 54 countries in Africa, and emphasizes leadership skills, African History, and entrepreneurial skills. DEF provides scholarships to all students from diamond-producing nations. The third beneficiary is the Botswana Top Achievers <\/b>program that selects the top high school students countrywide in Botswana, and affords them the opportunity to study at a university of their choice anywhere in the world. Graduates then return to Botswana to contribute to its economic, social and political development.<\/span><\/div>\n
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Sponsors for the event include, W Hotel South Beach, Bombay Sapphire, Haute Living, JCK, RideCentric and special thanks to the GIA. DEF is proud to share part of the proceeds from the \u2018Raffle for Education\u2019 with Jewelers for Children…together making a difference.<\/span><\/div>\n
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