Events & AwardsJul 15, 2024
Halstead Announces 2024 Grant WinnerPolicies & IssuesJul 23, 2024
Diamonds Do Good Announces Its 2024 Entrepreneurship Grant Winners
The grant provided a total of $100,000 to support 13 entrepreneurs from diamond communities in Africa and India.
The Entrepreneurship Grants program supports winners with financial aid to scale their businesses and increase their societal impact, said Diamonds Do Good. Pictured here are three of the 13 winners, top right is Tresia Shituula, and bottom row left to right, are Monkgogi Moshaga and Mohamed Samu.
New York—Diamonds Do Good has announced the winners of its third annual Entrepreneurship Grants program.
Over a live Zoom ceremony on July 17, DDG awarded $100,000 total, with individual awards ranging from $5,000 to $20,000 to each of the 13 winners.
“Diamonds Do Good is thrilled to continue its support of entrepreneurs who hail from communities where natural diamonds are mined, cut, and crafted into exquisite jewelry,” said Nancy Orem Lyman, executive director of DDG.
“Our entrepreneurship grant winners embody the spirit of entrepreneurship and the power of innovative ideas to create positive change. We thank all our supporters from the diamond industry who make it possible for Diamonds Do Good to make these life-changing grants.”
The 13 winners are: Salamatu Conteh, Monkgogi Moshaga, Tresia Shituula, Mohamed Kamara, Matsepo Sello, Habib Turay, Mohamed Samu, Zephania Zakayo, Christian Mwijage, Jerusa David Kitoto, Sumit Ghosh, Risto Kandela, and Ayesha Tijueza.
Related stories will be right here …
Over a live Zoom ceremony on July 17, DDG awarded $100,000 total, with individual awards ranging from $5,000 to $20,000 to each of the 13 winners.
“Diamonds Do Good is thrilled to continue its support of entrepreneurs who hail from communities where natural diamonds are mined, cut, and crafted into exquisite jewelry,” said Nancy Orem Lyman, executive director of DDG.
“Our entrepreneurship grant winners embody the spirit of entrepreneurship and the power of innovative ideas to create positive change. We thank all our supporters from the diamond industry who make it possible for Diamonds Do Good to make these life-changing grants.”
The 13 winners are: Salamatu Conteh, Monkgogi Moshaga, Tresia Shituula, Mohamed Kamara, Matsepo Sello, Habib Turay, Mohamed Samu, Zephania Zakayo, Christian Mwijage, Jerusa David Kitoto, Sumit Ghosh, Risto Kandela, and Ayesha Tijueza.
The grant winners were chosen from six of the diamond-producing countries in Africa and India, and are in industries such as agriculture, education, electronics, and energy.
Since the program began in 2021, DDG has provided entrepreneurs financial aid to scale their businesses and increase their societal impact, said DDG.
The program is managed through United People Global (UPG) and its president, Yemi Babington-Ashaye.
UPG runs sustainability leadership training for “young changemakers” in over 100 countries and works on local projects to address the 17 Sustainable Development Goals from the United Nations.
More on Policies & Issues
The Latest
Lab-GrownJun 04, 2025
GIA Reverting to More General Terminology for Lab-Grown DiamondsIt will quit assigning the stones specific color and clarity grades in favor of applying “new descriptive terminology.”
Events & AwardsJun 04, 2025
As JCK Talks Returns, Don’t Miss These 12 SessionsFrom design trends to sustainability, here’s a roundup of can’t-miss education sessions at JCK Las Vegas.
CrimeJun 04, 2025
10 Safety Tips for the Las Vegas Shows The Jewelers’ Security Alliance offers advice for those attending the annual trade shows.
Brought to you by
The True Power Behind the Counter: Why Sales Associates Are the Heart of the Jewelry BusinessWhen investing in your jewelry business, it's important not to overlook the most crucial element of success: the sales associates.
MajorsJun 04, 2025
Amy Curran Promoted at Hill & Co.Her new role is director of strategic initiatives.
Weekly QuizMay 30, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsJun 04, 2025
Daymond John to Give Keynote at JCK Las VegasThe entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.
CollectionsJun 03, 2025
In Her Latest Collection, Viviana Langhoff Is Leaning Into GoldThe designer is embracing bold pieces with weight to them in “AU79,” a collection she celebrated with a creative launch party.
Brought to you by
Clienteling Isn’t a Buzzword. It’s an Essential Business Model.More shoppers are walking out without buying. Here’s how smart jewelers can bring them back—and the tool they need to do it right.
FinancialsJun 03, 2025
Signet Jewelers Sees Turnaround in Q1 With Sales Ticking Up 2%On an earnings call, CEO J.K. Symancyk discussed what’s working for the company and how it’s preparing for the potential impact of tariffs.
SurveysJun 03, 2025
Consumer Confidence Improves in May The index partially rebounded after months of decline, due in part to the U.S.-China deal to temporarily reduce import tariffs.
CollectionsJun 03, 2025
Dakota Johnson Is Roberto Coin’s New Brand AmbassadorThe actress stars in the latest campaign set in Venice, Italy, and is set to participate in other creative initiatives for the jeweler.
GradingJun 03, 2025
Mason-Kay Jade Adds ‘Fei Cui’ to Jade ReportsThe company has joined other labs, including GIA and Lotus Gemology, in adopting the Chinese term for "jadeite jade."
SourcingJun 02, 2025
Gemfields’ June Auction to Include 36-Carat RubyThe large stone will be offered at its June sale along with a selection of secondary-type rubies from a new area of the Montepuez mine.
GradingJun 02, 2025
GSI Opens New Lab in Thailand Located in Bangkok, the laboratory is Gemological Science International’s 14th location worldwide.
TrendsJun 02, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Three Gems for June Those born in June have a myriad of options for their birthstone jewelry.
SourcingJun 02, 2025
David Allouche Joins Grandview Klein DiamondsThe diamond industry veteran has been named its senior sales executive.
FinancialsMay 30, 2025
Movado’s Q1 Sales Slip Amid ‘Challenging’ Retail Environment The company plans to raise the prices of select watches to offset the impact of tariffs.
CollectionsMay 30, 2025
Piece of the Week: Renato Cipullo’s ‘Hematite Blaze’ NecklaceDesigned by founder Renato and his daughter Serena Cipullo, it showcases a flame motif representing unity and the power of gathering.
CollectionsMay 29, 2025
Britney Spears Files Trademark for New Jewelry LineThe pop icon is one step closer to launching her “B Tiny” jewelry collection, a collection she first began posting about last fall.
Supplier BulletinMay 29, 2025
Inoveo Platinum Grain, Exclusively Distributed by StullerSponsored by Stuller
SourcingMay 29, 2025
Grizzly Auctions 6,620-Carat EmeraldIt was featured in the miner’s latest sale, which brought in $24.8 million.
TechnologyMay 29, 2025
GemFind Launches AI Product Description SoftwareGemText AI uses artificial intelligence to generate tailored product titles, descriptions, and tags with jewelry-specific language.
MajorsMay 28, 2025
Graff Unveils New Las Vegas FlagshipThe 3,300-square foot location is the jeweler's largest store in North America.
CrimeMay 28, 2025
8 Convicted in Kim Kardashian Jewelry Heist TrialAging and with myriad health issues, none will serve time for their roles in robbing the billionaire celebrity at gunpoint in 2016.
CollectionsMay 28, 2025
NY Liberty’s 2024 Championship Rings Honor Historic WinThe WNBA team received rings imbued with meaning, from leaf motifs and its Liberty torch to the number of diamonds used.
MajorsMay 28, 2025
Andrew Rickard Named JBT PresidentA longtime executive at RDI Diamonds, Rickard has served on the JBT board for the past five years.
MajorsMay 27, 2025
MJSA to Become Part of Jewelers of America The two organizations have signed an affiliation agreement that’s expected to be finalized in the coming weeks.
