MajorsDec 07, 2023
24 Karat Club of New York Welcomes New MembersMajorsDec 19, 2023
Malyia McNaughton to Become BIJC Board President
The jewelry designer and GIA G.G. will step into the role next year as the organization welcomes three new members to its board.
PHOTO Jewelry designer Malyia McNaughton is the incoming president of the board for the Black in Jewelry Coalition.
PHOTO She will lead a board that will include three new members, from left, Jeffery Bolling, Pat Dambe, and Thomas Davis.
New York—The Black in Jewelry Coalition will have a new president and welcome new members to its board next year, the organization announced Monday.
In 2024, current BIJC Board President and Jewelers of America Chief Financial Officer Annie Doresca will transition to treasurer and current BIJC Treasurer Malyia McNaughton, a Gemological Institute of America Graduate Gemologist and the designer behind the Made by Malyia brand, will become BIJC board president.
Doresca and McNaughton are among the co-founders of BIJC.
“As we reflect on BIJC’s accomplishments in its first three years, I am deeply grateful for the dedication and resilience of our team. Together, we have achieved significant milestones in promoting diversity and equity within the jewelry industry,” Doresca said.
“I look forward to witnessing and being a part of BIJC’s continued growth under the exceptional leadership of Malyia. With her at the helm, I am confident that BIJC will reach new heights, making an even greater impact on our industry.”
Related stories will be right here …
In 2024, current BIJC Board President and Jewelers of America Chief Financial Officer Annie Doresca will transition to treasurer and current BIJC Treasurer Malyia McNaughton, a Gemological Institute of America Graduate Gemologist and the designer behind the Made by Malyia brand, will become BIJC board president.
Doresca and McNaughton are among the co-founders of BIJC.
“As we reflect on BIJC’s accomplishments in its first three years, I am deeply grateful for the dedication and resilience of our team. Together, we have achieved significant milestones in promoting diversity and equity within the jewelry industry,” Doresca said.
“I look forward to witnessing and being a part of BIJC’s continued growth under the exceptional leadership of Malyia. With her at the helm, I am confident that BIJC will reach new heights, making an even greater impact on our industry.”
Also in 2024, three jewelry industry professionals will join the BIJC board.
The new board members are: Jeffery Bolling, district manager at Signet Jewelers with more than 30 years of industry experience; Thomas Davis, director of business development at Select Jewelry Inc., who brings a wealth of experience in corporate management, specialty retail, manufacturing, merchandising, sales, and celebrity branding; and Pat Dambe, director of marketing and brand development within Botswana’s Ministry of Minerals and Energy. Dambe has more than 30 years of executive experience working for corporations and luxury brands in the United States and Africa.
Bolling, Davis, and Dambe join the continuing BIJC co-founders and board members in leading the organization.
They are:
— Elyssa Jenkins-Pérez, director of membership and marketing at the Jewelers Vigilance Committee, who will serve as board vice president;
— Lisa Jones, vice president of human resources at GIA, who will serve as board secretary;
— Nellie Barnett, GIA’s manager of corporate communications, who will serve as communications chair;
— Reginald Johnson, Signet Jewelers’ chief diversity officer and senior vice president for human resources in North America, who will serve as nominations chair;
— Adrianne Sanogo, GIA G.G., who will serve as education chair;
— Miya Owens, corporate counsel at Amazon, who will serve as a board member; and
— Lisette Scott, founder of Jam + Rico, who will serve as a board member.
BIJC’s 2024 board of directors is prepared to guide the organization toward a future marked by increased inclusivity, educational initiatives, and advocacy for Black professionals within the jewelry sector, the organization said.
For more information, visit the BIJC website.
More on Majors
The Latest
TrendsJun 20, 2025
Dua Lipa Stays On-Trend With Chunky Engagement RingThe singer’s ring ticks off many bridal trends, with a thick band, half-bezel setting, and solitaire diamond.
TrendsJun 20, 2025
Piece of the Week: Yvonne Léon’s ‘Python Gold’ BraceletThe bracelet references vintage high jewelry and snake symbolism as a playful piece where a python’s head becomes a working belt buckle.
CrimeJun 18, 2025
7 Men Indicted in $100M Brinks Jewelry HeistThe heist happened in Lebec, California, in 2022 when a Brinks truck was transporting goods from one show in California to another.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
AuctionsJun 18, 2025
Historic ‘Marie-Thérèse Pink’ Diamond Fetches $14M at Christie’sThe 10-carat fancy purple-pink diamond with potential links to Marie Antoinette headlined the white-glove jewelry auction this week.
Weekly QuizJun 20, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
EditorsJun 18, 2025
Q&A: Caryl Capeci Dives Into Cruise Jewelry ShoppingThe Starboard Cruises SVP discusses who is shopping for jewelry on ships, how much they’re spending, and why brands should get on board.
AuctionsJun 18, 2025
16th-Century ‘Gresham Grasshopper’ Ring Sells for $56KThe historic signet ring exceeded its estimate at Noonans Mayfair’s jewelry auction this week.
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America is Headed to Las Vegas for JCK 2025The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.
CollectionsJun 18, 2025
Kirk Kara Celebrates 135 Years With New JewelsTo mark the milestone, the brand is introducing new non-bridal fine jewelry designs for the first time in two decades.
SourcingJun 18, 2025
Gemfields Sells 36-Carat Rough RubyThe gemstone is the third most valuable ruby to come out of the Montepuez mine, Gemfields said.
TechnologyJun 18, 2025
Alex Brown Named President of Smithee GroupFounder and longtime CEO Ben Smithee will stay with the agency, transitioning into the role of founding partner and strategic advisor.
EditorsJun 17, 2025
The Best New Jewelry from Couture 2025, Part 1Associate Editor Natalie Francisco shares 20 of her favorite pieces from the jewelry collections that debuted at Couture.
ColumnistsJun 17, 2025
Peter Smith: Is Your Comp Plan a Hiring Hindrance?If you want to attract good salespeople and generate a stream of “sleeping money” for your jewelry store, then you are going to have to pay.
AuctionsJun 17, 2025
Colored Gemstones, Signed Jewels Shine in Sotheby’s High Jewelry SaleThe top lot was a colorless Graff diamond, followed by a Burmese ruby necklace by Marcus & Co.
EditorsJun 16, 2025
Q&A: Bogolo Joy Kenewendo on Mining, Tariffs, and the Energy of Las VegasFollowing visits to Vegas and New York, Botswana’s minerals minister sat down with Michelle Graff to discuss the state of the diamond market.
IndependentsJun 16, 2025
Greenwich St. Jewelers Launches Commitment Campaign Celebrating LGBTQ+ CouplesThe “Your Love Has the Perfect Ring” campaign showcases the strength of love and need for inclusivity and representation, the jeweler said.
MajorsJun 16, 2025
Ivette Nersesyan-Stephanopoulos Joins Tiffany & Co.The former De Beers executive is the jewelry house’s new director of high jewelry for the Americas.
MajorsJun 16, 2025
Catbird Names WNBA Star Nyara Sabally as Its New Brand AmbassadorThe New York Liberty forward is the first athlete to represent the Brooklyn-based jewelry brand.
CollectionsJun 13, 2025
Piece of the Week: Robinson Pelham’s Pear EarringsTake a bite out of the 14-karat yellow gold “Fruits of Love Pear” earrings featuring peridots, diamond stems, and tsavorite leaves.
Events & AwardsJun 13, 2025
AGA to Host ‘Diamonds From Mine to Market’ Education ConferenceThe one-day virtual event will feature speakers from De Beers, GIA, and Gemworld International.
EditorsJun 12, 2025
15 Questions With Jewelry Photographer Ella SophieThe California-based creative talks jewelry photography in the modern era and tackles FAQs about working with a pro for the first time.
AuctionsJun 12, 2025
Vintage Patek Philippe From the ‘50s Sells for $4M at Sotheby’s Al Capone’s pocket watch also found a buyer, though it went for less than half of what it did at auction four years ago.
Events & AwardsJun 12, 2025
Gabriel Love Foundation Introduces Scholarship Honoring Elias GabrielThe foundation has also expanded its “Stronger Together” initiative with Jewelers for Children.
AuctionsJun 12, 2025
Former De Beers Exec Celine Assimon Joins BonhamsAssimon is the auction house’s new chief commercial officer.
EditorsJun 11, 2025
Q&A: Al Cook on Differentiating Natural Diamonds, Traceability, and TariffsThe De Beers Group CEO discusses the company’s new “beacon” program, the likelihood diamonds will be exempt from tariffs, and “Origin.”
MajorsJun 11, 2025
Pandora Bets on Las Vegas for First North American FlagshipThe Danish jewelry giant hosted its grand opening last weekend, complete with a Pandora pink roulette wheel.
GradingJun 11, 2025
Tiffany Stevens Exits IGI, Lab Appoints New Board LeaderIndustry veteran Anoop Mehta is the new chairman and independent director of the IGI board.
