Events
November 16, 2023 – 6:00-10:00 PM ET
Rock the Jewels
“Rock the Jewels” is presented by Black in Jewelry Coalition and NYCJW with special guest Simone I. Smith.
Rock the Jewels is a celebration of diversity and creativity in the world of jewelry. This year marks the 50th anniversary of hip hop, and we are excited to commemorate this milestone by celebrating the influence of this unique musical genre on the gem and jewelry industry.
Join us for an evening of glamour, style, and celebration, as we gather at the breathtaking Elsie Rooftop on November 16th at 6pm.
Event Details: Rock the Jewels
Date: November 16th
Time: 6:00 PM-10:00 PM
Venue: Elsie Rooftop Address: 1412 Broadway NY, NY 10018
Dress Code: Cocktail attire with a touch of Hip Hop Jewelry
The event will feature a stunning exhibition of unique and exquisite jewelry pieces, highlighting the talent and craftsmanship of Black jewelers and celebrating Hip Hop. You will have the opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations with industry professionals, and immerse yourself in the vibrant and inclusive atmosphere of the event. Dance with us, savor delicious culinary delights, and connect with fellow jewelry enthusiasts and connoisseurs.
We look forward to welcoming you to Rock the Jewels and sharing an unforgettable evening celebrating the diversity and beauty of the jewelry industry.
September 19, 2023 – 6:00-7:00 PM ET (new rescheduled time)
You Have Jewelry Designs, Now What?
Join us for an engaging online presentation tailored specifically for emerging designers in the Black in Jewelry Coalition. Whether you’re new to the business or seeking a better understanding of accounting practices, this webinar is designed to equip you with essential knowledge and best practices in accounting and business management for small jewelry businesses. This is the third webinar in our five-part series “So you have jewelry designs, now what?”
JUNE 21, 20223 – 11:00 AM ET / 8:00 AM PT / 4:00 PM London / 5:00 PM goma
Introducing the Panzi Foundation Responsible Jewelry Community
BIJC and USAID’s Zahabu Safi (Clean Gold) Project collaborate to empower Black lives all along the jewelry value chain. On June 21st, 2023 we’ll introduce a new dimension to our focus on artisanal miners and their communities: co-manufacturing opportunities with Congolese jewelers.
This is another way to achieve maximum benefit to the country’s citizens and in this case, Congolese women. This webinar features Panzi Foundation and the Foundation’s jewelry project. Guests will have the opportunity to ask questions throughout this webinar. We’ll extend the 1-hour webinar for an additional 30 minutes for anyone interested in asking questions or speaking further with Panzi Foundation jewelers.
Speakers
Aubert Mwilambwe: Agreement Officer Responsible for USAID Zahabu Safi (Clean Gold) Project
Victor Idumba: Chief of Party, USAID Zahabu Safi (Clean Gold) Project
Rachel Brass: Director Market Linkages and Investment at Levin Sources, USAID’s Zahabu Safi (Clean Gold) Project
Elyssa Jenkins: Vice President of the Black in Jewelry Coalition and Director of Membership & marketing for the Jewelers Vigilance Committee
Julienne Zihalirwa: Jeweler and Trainer, Panzi Foundation Jewelry Project
Julienne is a dedicated jewelry and lapidary instructor at the Panzi workshop in DRC. In 2008, after experiencing rape, Julienne became a beneficiary at Panzi, where she received medical and psychosocial care. In 2015, Julienne was welcomed back into the Panzi family when she was selected as a participant of the City of Joy program. Following her time there, she returned home and became a leader in her community. Julienne was selected as one of the first beneficiaries of the jewelry project in 2019, and later started teaching other survivors at Maison Dorcas. Julienne has helped to certify more than 50 other women jewelers since 2020.
Rachel Aombaye: Jeweler and Trainer, Panzi Foundation Jewelry Project
Rachel was born in DRC and is 34 years old. In 2015, Rachel became a single mother following challenging circumstances. Particularly resourceful, Rachel always found ways to make it work for her son and herself. It is only in 2021 that Rachel joined the Panzi Foundation. Rachel started as a beneficiary of Panzi’s juice factory socio-economic reinsertion program. During the day, she would find time to visit the jewelry workshop and learn from the instructors, Julienne and Yvette. She later enrolled as a formal participant. Her motivation and her multi-talents in jewelry-making, lapidary and wrapping sparked the attention of the two trainers and staff at Panzi. Rachel quickly was selected for the training of trainers in Dar es Salam and came back to become an instructor herself in August 2022.
Nicole Batumike: Gender and Responsible Sourcing specialist at the Congolese non-profit Panzi Foundation.
Nicole has been developing Panzi’s ethical jewelry brand through the establishment of a traceable and inclusive mine-to-market model. Her current role also seeks to address the relationship between structural inequalities, Conflict Related Sexual Violence (CRSV) and mining by collaborating with international stakeholders, including US-based companies and policymakers. Nicole did her Masters in African Studies at Oxford University and received a BSc in International Business Management from the University of Applied Sciences in Geneva.
Moderator: Christina T. Miller: Technical Advisor to the USAID’s Zahabu Safi (Clean Gold) Project, and Founder, Consultant at Christina T Miller Consulting
March 31, 2023 – 3PM ET
JCK Las Vegas 2023
Interested in exhibiting at JCK Las Vegas as part of the BIJC Collective? Join us for a Zoom call this Friday to learn about what’s required and what you can expect to experience.
Register here: (registration is now closed)
NOVEMBER 18, 2022 – 6:00-9:00 pm ET
Under the Faceted Sky
Connect with your fellow designers, dream mentors, and build relationships with your community while admiring and bidding on our beautiful prizes sponsored by Ben Bridge and a Black-owned jewelry line. Our mission at BIJC is the advancement of Black professionals in the gem, jewelry and watch industry. We are powering events that facilitate the opportunity for industry members of all facets of the jewelry world, network and collaborate on thoughts and ideas.
The event will host the first in-person NYC Jewelry Week Here We Are Awards Ceremony honoring the stand-out creatives from the Here We Are initiative. Here We Are is a platform established by NYCJW in 2019 to support underrepresented voices in the jewelry industry through action and impact. Each year they present three financial awards to select honorees of the platform. The awards are sponsored by David Yurman and Halstead.
We will be raffling off jewelry pieces from a couple of our BIJC members (to be announced soon- stay tuned). We also will be raffling off a prized painting by Aramis sponsored by Ben Bridge.
Raffle tickets start at $25 dollars plus tax and event admission is $50 dollars plus tax.
We hope to see you there and look forward to a great evening of networking!
This is a 21+ event.
Photos are being taken at this event and may appear in BIJC print or digital communications or marketing materials. By attending this event, you hereby authorize BIJC to use your photograph in any and all use related to the mission of the organization without compensation.
OCTOBER 27, 2022 – 11:00 AM ET / 8:00 AM PT / 4:00 PM London / 5:00 PM goma
How to Source Gold Responsibly from the DRC
With a collaborative approach, responsible sourcing from artisanal miners in the Democratic Republic of Congo, can work. For the second time, Black in Jewelry Coalition (BIJC) and USAID’s Zahabu Safi (Clean Gold) Project are collaborating to demonstrate how, by working together, we can support artisanal and small-scale gold mining communities in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It’s about staying informed and preparing manufacturing systems for a supply of traceable gold traded at prices negotiated by the miners themselves. Guests will be able to ask questions throughout the webinar.
One hour on Thursday Oct. 27 at 11 AM ET / 8 AM PT / 4:00 PM London / 5:00 PM Goma
More details to come!
Presenters:
- Aubert Mwilambwe – Agreement Officer Responsible for USAID Zahabu Safi (Clean Gold) Project (TBC)
- Victor Idumba – Chief of Party, USAID Zahabu Safi’s (Clean Gold) Project
- Lotanna Amina Egwuatu – Amina Stones
- Kyle Abram – Reflective Jewelry
- Rachel Brass – Director Market Linkages and Investment at Levin Sources, USAID’s Zahabu Safi (Clean Gold) Project
Moderator: Christina Miller – Founder, Consultant at Christina T Miller Consulting and Technical Advisor to the USAID, Zahabu Safi (Clean Gold) Project
SEPTEMBER 8, 2022 — 10:00 AM – 2 PM ET
47th Street Diamond Tour for Emerging & Established Designers
This four hour stroll of the 47th Street diamond district is for designers who have an interest in working with diamonds. The tour will be guided by a seasoned diamond professional and BIJC board members. It will be split into groups of self-identified emerging and established designers for a total of 10 participants. We will meet at the Gem Tower on 47th street (a government ID is required to be admitted to the suite). Exact details and tour schedule will be sent to the registered attendees.
July 5, 2022 — 10:00 AM – 2 PM ET
47th Street Stroll – Colored Gems and Jewelry Manufacturing
If you are intrigued about the sourcing of colored gemstones and want to learn more about the manufacturing process, than BIJC has the perfect event for you! Join us on Tuesday, July 5 from 10am to 2pm EDT for a guided stroll with a seasoned gem and jewelry professional in NYC’s Diamond District on 47th street! On the tour, we will visit colored gem dealers and jewelry manufacturing site(s).
This event is for BIJC members and there are only 10 spots so register now!
April 25, 2022- April 27, 2022
The AGS Conclave “Let’s Discuss Legacy”
The American Gem Society’s (AGS) International Conclave met in Oklahoma City, OK on Monday, April 25 through Wednesday, April 27, with pre-Conclave events that started Sunday, April 24.
Considered one of the primary benefits of membership in the AGS, Conclave is held in a new location each year, and features leading national speakers and industry experts, all teaching a variety of topics ranging from gemological training to sales, leadership, and marketing sessions.
Conclave was three days of jam-packed education and relationship building with some pre-conference fun starting on Sunday night! During the event, attendees had access to three phenomenal speakers, features speakers, and plenty of breakout speakers. What’s that mean to the attendees? It adds up to 15 hours of education! But wait, there’s more. We sprinkled in 20 hours’ worth of social activities, including networking breaks and events.
February 17, 2022 — 1:00 PM ET (US & Canada)
WJA + BIJC | Celebrating Black History Month with Leading Black Women in the Jewelry & Watch Industry
Join Black in Jewelry Coalition and the Women’s Jewelry Association for an inspiring webinar on Thursday, February 17th at 1pm EST / 10am PST as we bring together women who are making a big impact advancing professional opportunities for Black women in the jewelry and watch industry.
WJA and BIJC members will share how they are celebrating Black heritage in their businesses, and how you can support them throughout the year too!
The panel includes: Lotanna Amina Okpukpara (Mina Stones), Nellie Barnett (GIA), Malyia McNaughton (Made by Malyia), and Adrianne Sanogo (Graduate Gemologist), moderated by Elyssa Jenkins-Pérez (JVC).
- Hear from WJA and BIJC Members about how they are celebrating their heritage this month and throughout the year, and working towards a more inclusive industry.
- Learn about industry-wide initiatives that are helping to advance and shape more opportunities for Black jewelry professionals, and how you can get involved and support these impactful activities.
- Understand how you can better educate yourself on diversity, equity and inclusion and how that will positively impact the future of your business, including your staff, your clients and your overall bottom line
February 16, 2022 — 2:00 PM ET (US & Canada)
Panel Discussion: Encounters with Bias and Racism
Listen to first-person accounts of bias and racism in the retail setting (from both consumers and employees), and learn how each encounter could have been avoided. The panel will be led by Reggie Johnson, Chief Diversity Officer/Senior VP at Signet Jewelers and a director for the Black in Jewelry Coalition.
January 19, 2022 — 2:OOPM ET (US and Canada)
“Get Rid of the BS.”
Risha Grant, a renowned expert on diversity and inclusion with a “no-holds-barred” style, will tackle hard but necessary questions about how to address social unrest and racial injustice. She’ll also offer practical advice for how to confront and get past biases to create more respectful, diverse, and inclusive communities.
friday, june 18, 2021 — 7:00 PM EST
BIJC's Juneteenth Celebration
Connect with us as we commemorate the 156th anniversary of the abolition of slavery in the United States! As we celebrate this historic event, we also want to highlight & support rich Black culture.
BIJC will be hosting a virtual event via zoom with Chef Rudy as our special guest. Held on Friday June 18th, at 7:00pm.
Chef Rudy (Instagram @ChefRudyStraker) will be making a mouthwatering Jerk Chicken entrée & a thirst-quenching Watermelon Mojito Cocktail.
The supply list is provided in the link below! Will be sent out soon. Let’s celebrate culture, talent, and history for a very special Juneteenth. Can’t wait to see you there!
wednesday, april 14, 2021 — 10:00 aM EST
Sister to Sister
The Black in Jewelry Coalition (BIJC) and USAID’s Zahabu Safi Project will hold a unique fireside chat webinar, “Sister to Sister: Creating relationships to support responsible sourcing of artisanal gold from Africa.”
This virtual event, which will be held Wednesday, April 14 at 10am ET, provides a space for panelists and participants to exchange information about their respective businesses, and discuss opportunities for success. Participants of the webinar learn how to responsibly source artisanal gold directly from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Featured panelists include:
Dr. Njanju Namazuba Zouzou, President of the Mineral Cooperative of Ukingo (Luhihi, South Kivu, DRC)
Huguette Kaleba Ngoie Kasongo, co-founder of SOGECOMI, a social enterprise whose goal is to improve the lives and wellbeing of mining communities in DRC through responsible sourcing and export of minerals
Ella Mindja, Zahabu Safi Project Officer and Community Liaison
The session will be moderated by BIJC’s: Lotanna Amina Egwatu, Creative Director and Principal at Mina Stones and Patricia Mweene, Founder and Creative Director, INONGE ZITA Jewellery/ Gemstone Value Chain Specialist
This free event is available to all.
Thursday, february 25, 2021 — 7:00 PM EST
Aldis Hodge: The One to Watch
Aldis is a force to be reckoned with, not only in the watch industry but in the entertainment industry as well. From “One Night In Miami” to horology, Aldis has us on the edge of our seats with his creative brilliance. Join us for a conversation about his journey into horology, the importance of representation and what it’s like to work in multiple industries.
The interview will be followed by Virtual Game Night. A celebration of Black History Month. #MoreThanAMonth #ShiningTogether
(Aldis’ image by Tim Swallow)
Thursday, february 11, 2021 — 6:30 PM EST
Sheryl Jones: A Rare Diamond in the District
Fri, November 6, 2020 — 8:00 PM EST
Happy Hour to Celebrate the Launch of BIJC
Join us for a celebration! On 6th of November at 8pm EST on Zoom, Meet and Network with fellow Black Jewelry Industry Professionals and allies. We will have a fun jewelry themes scavenger hunt, introduce you to the board and share details about what we have planned!
