Diamond in the Rough
March 5th, 2007
If blood diamonds are red, than good diamonds are green. Russell Simmons is using his voice and fashion company to support D.E.F.TM the Diamond Empowerment Fund, a group dedicated to developing black leadership in Africa. Among other things, the group teaches locals how to clean and cut diamonds, in the hopes of keeping the industry within the continent and empowering the next generation of Black African diamond executives.
Simmons challenges the diamond industry to be a leader in Black empowerment, and rather than boycotting an industry, his solution is to create a jewelry called the Green Initiative. Twenty-five percent of all proceeds support D.E.F.TM. You might have even spied Forest Whitaker dawning one of the pieces as he accepted his Oscar last month (the stunning piece featured an ueber-trendy uncut, unpolished diamond sans sparkle).
The Green Initiative and D.E.F.TM acknowledge the value of Africa’s natural resources as a vital part of the solution for changing the situation for the better. It mirrors the UN’s Oil-for-Food program, however functions as a commercial effort, counting on consumerism to fuel change and provide education and opportunity for the poverty-stricken society.
Entry Filed under: Future of Good
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