MajorsMay 01, 2025
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BIJC Launches New Education Fund
BIJC President Malyia McNaughton will shift roles to lead the new foundation, and Elyssa Jenkins-Pérez will succeed her as president.
Jewelry designer Malyia McNaughton (left) will transition out of her role as BIJC president to lead the new BIJC Education Fund, and Elyssa Jenkins-Pérez (right) will take over as the organization’s new president.
New York—The Black in Jewelry Coalition (BIJC) has announced the establishment of the BIJC Education Fund, as well as two leadership changes.
The new 501(c)(3) foundation is focused on expanding educational access, mentorship, and career pathways to empower youth and underserved communities interested in the jewelry industry, said BIJC.
It will be led by jewelry designer Malyia McNaughton, who will transition out of her role as BIJC board president.
With a strong background in philanthropy and workforce development—including service with AmeriCorps and Club Esteem—McNaughton brings a unique combination of creative and community leadership to her new role, said BIJC.
She regularly serves as a keynote speaker and panelist at educational institutions, such as the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), using her platform to inspire the next generation of jewelers.
Elyssa Jenkins-Pérez, head of North American development at the Responsible Jewellery Council, will succeed McNaughton as the new president.
The BIJC Education Fund aims to ignite passion, cultivate creativity, and unlock career pathways by providing hands-on training, mentorship, and opportunities for skill development, said the organization.
It will also include collaborations with industry professionals and educational institutions to create a more inclusive and diverse future, said BIJC.
Currently, the foundation partners with the Brooklyn STEAM Center in the Brooklyn Navy Yard and the Baldwin High School at Shubert in Long Island, two places where BIJC hosts the Future Jewelers Academy, its jewelry-focused education program for high school students.
The academy, launched last spring, has served more than 30 students and continues to expand its reach, said BIJC.
Joining McNaughton on the BIJC Education Fund board of directors are gemologist Adrianne Sanogo as vice president; Lisa Jones, vice president of human resources at GIA, as secretary; and board members Jenkins-Pérez and Reggie Johnson, SVP, North America, field human resources and chief diversity officer at Signet Jewelers.
The leaders bring experience and passion for diversity, equity, and inclusion and will guide the foundation in scaling its programs and impact, said the organization.
“The jewelry industry is at a critical crossroads. With thousands of skilled bench jeweler positions going unfilled, we’re witnessing a growing gap that threatens the future of American craftsmanship,” said McNaughton.
“As traditional training pipelines disappear and fewer young professionals enter the trade, our foundation is committed to addressing this labor shortage head-on—by investing in education, apprenticeship programs, and workforce development that will sustain and strengthen the industry for generations to come.”
Related stories will be right here …
The new 501(c)(3) foundation is focused on expanding educational access, mentorship, and career pathways to empower youth and underserved communities interested in the jewelry industry, said BIJC.
It will be led by jewelry designer Malyia McNaughton, who will transition out of her role as BIJC board president.
With a strong background in philanthropy and workforce development—including service with AmeriCorps and Club Esteem—McNaughton brings a unique combination of creative and community leadership to her new role, said BIJC.
She regularly serves as a keynote speaker and panelist at educational institutions, such as the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), using her platform to inspire the next generation of jewelers.
Elyssa Jenkins-Pérez, head of North American development at the Responsible Jewellery Council, will succeed McNaughton as the new president.
The BIJC Education Fund aims to ignite passion, cultivate creativity, and unlock career pathways by providing hands-on training, mentorship, and opportunities for skill development, said the organization.
It will also include collaborations with industry professionals and educational institutions to create a more inclusive and diverse future, said BIJC.
Currently, the foundation partners with the Brooklyn STEAM Center in the Brooklyn Navy Yard and the Baldwin High School at Shubert in Long Island, two places where BIJC hosts the Future Jewelers Academy, its jewelry-focused education program for high school students.
The academy, launched last spring, has served more than 30 students and continues to expand its reach, said BIJC.
Joining McNaughton on the BIJC Education Fund board of directors are gemologist Adrianne Sanogo as vice president; Lisa Jones, vice president of human resources at GIA, as secretary; and board members Jenkins-Pérez and Reggie Johnson, SVP, North America, field human resources and chief diversity officer at Signet Jewelers.
The leaders bring experience and passion for diversity, equity, and inclusion and will guide the foundation in scaling its programs and impact, said the organization.
“The jewelry industry is at a critical crossroads. With thousands of skilled bench jeweler positions going unfilled, we’re witnessing a growing gap that threatens the future of American craftsmanship,” said McNaughton.
“As traditional training pipelines disappear and fewer young professionals enter the trade, our foundation is committed to addressing this labor shortage head-on—by investing in education, apprenticeship programs, and workforce development that will sustain and strengthen the industry for generations to come.”
To her new role as BIJC president, Jenkins-Pérez brings experience in membership engagement, operational knowledge, and marketing.
BIJC said her strategic leadership will support the organization’s continued focus on community-building, education, and industry transformation.
“As the founding vice president of BIJC, it’s an incredible honor to now serve as president as we enter this exciting next chapter,” said Jenkins-Pérez.
“From the beginning, BIJC has been about building something bigger than ourselves. Our theme for this year, ‘Rooted in Community, Rising Together,’ reflects the legacy we’ve built and the future we are shaping. I’m committed to continuing our mission of advancing equity, opportunity, and representation across the gem, jewelry, and watch industry.”
With Jenkins-Pérez, the current BIJC board of directors includes Jones as secretary; Johnson as nominations chair; Sanogo as education chair; Donovan Tomlinson, CPA and partner at SAX LLP, as treasurer; Nellie Barnett, founder of Nellbells Fitness, as communications chair; and Thomas Davis, director of merchandising and business development at Select Jewelry Inc., as sponsorship chair.
Board members include McNaughton; Miya Owens, corporate counsel at Amazon; Lisette Scott, founder of Jam+Rico; Jeffery Bolling, founder of Jeffery B Jewelers; and Pat Dambe, executive secondment, director of marketing and brand development for Botswana’s Ministry of Minerals and Energy.
For more information about the BIJC Education Fund and upcoming initiatives, click here.
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