Current Diamond Council of America President and CEO Terry Chandler is set to retire in January 2026.
Emerging Jewelers Accelerator Program Announces Second Cohort of Aspiring Jewelry Entrepreneurs
Six new retail businesses were selected for the 2025 program, which began in January.

Brought To You By Jewelers of America
The Black in Jewelry Coalition (BIJC) and Jewelers of America (JA) are midway through the second cohort of the Emerging Jewelers Accelerator Program (EJAP), an initiative designed to empower retail jewelry entrepreneurs with the knowledge and resources to build thriving businesses in the industry. Following the success of the inaugural cohort, which provided five entrepreneurs with hands-on education from subject-matter experts (SMEs), the program is expanding to welcome six new participants. The 2025 EJAP cohort includes:
- Jessenia Landrum of Jevela
- Brooke Brinson of Ed & Ethel’s Fine Jewelry
- Katty Villapando Lyte & Mica Rencher of Shimmer Culture
- Olga Shatrova of Olga Shatrova Jewelry
- Zoe Clark of CLARK
- Britt Moore of Britt Moore Jewelry
“At BIJC, we’re committed to creating pathways for lasting change in the jewelry industry,” said Malyia McNaughton, Board President of the Black in Jewelry Coalition, jewelry designer, and gemologist. “The Emerging Jewelers Accelerator Program is more than education, it’s a launchpad for the next generation of retail jewelry entrepreneurs. We’re proud to welcome this new cohort and support them as they sharpen their skills, expand their networks, and bring fresh ideas to the industry. We are thrilled to partner with JA on this very important initiative.”
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Beyond the workshops, EJAP alumni will continue to benefit from ongoing mentorship opportunities, quarterly workshops, and invitations to industry events, ensuring long-term support for their entrepreneurial journeys.
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