Events & AwardsJun 09, 2025
CASE Awards Now Accepting Entries For 2025Events & AwardsMay 15, 2025
Poet Sekou Andrews to Give Closing Keynote at Converge
The event is also accepting poster submissions now through June 16.
Sekou Andrews, a Grammy-nominated artist, poet, and entrepreneur, will give the closing keynote address at Converge.
Las Vegas—Award-winning poet and entrepreneur Sekou Andrews will be the closing keynote speaker at Converge, a new industry event co-hosted by the American Gem Society (AGS) and the Gemological Institute of America (GIA).
The inaugural event will be held Sept. 7-10 in Carlsbad, California, at GIA’s headquarters and the Omni La Costa Resort.
Andrews blends inspirational speaking with spoken word poetry, coining a speaking style called “poetic voice,” which incorporates theater, comedy, strategic storytelling, and thought leadership.
His style has been described as “Hamilton” meets a Ted Talk, said organizers.
"Ending Converge 2025 with Sekou is a reflection of the creative energy and forward-thinking spirit we’re bringing to this event," said Katherine Bodoh, CEO of AGS.
"He will move, inspire, and challenge us in a way that’s unlike any traditional keynote. Sekou has a rare ability to transform ideas into emotion—and emotion into meaningful action."
The Grammy-nominated artist has two National Poetry Slam championships, multiple Clio awards, and an ABA “Entrepreneur of the Year” award.
Andrews, the founder and CEO of SekouWorld, Inc., has shared the stage with Stevie Wonder, John Legend, and Kendrick Lamar. He has spoken to audiences at Google, Nike, GE, the Mayo Clinic, and the American Medical Association.
“Sekou’s unique artistry connects deeply with people from every walk of life,” said Susan Jacques, president and CEO of GIA.
“His closing keynote will leave attendees feeling energized, empowered, and reminded of the transformative power of storytelling. We couldn’t imagine a better way to end Converge.”
Andrew’s closing keynote performance will be on Wednesday, Sept. 10 at 8:00 a.m. PT.
Neuroscientist and perception expert Beau Lotto will host the opening keynote event on Monday, Sept. 8 at 8:00 a.m.
Related stories will be right here …
The inaugural event will be held Sept. 7-10 in Carlsbad, California, at GIA’s headquarters and the Omni La Costa Resort.
Andrews blends inspirational speaking with spoken word poetry, coining a speaking style called “poetic voice,” which incorporates theater, comedy, strategic storytelling, and thought leadership.
His style has been described as “Hamilton” meets a Ted Talk, said organizers.
"Ending Converge 2025 with Sekou is a reflection of the creative energy and forward-thinking spirit we’re bringing to this event," said Katherine Bodoh, CEO of AGS.
"He will move, inspire, and challenge us in a way that’s unlike any traditional keynote. Sekou has a rare ability to transform ideas into emotion—and emotion into meaningful action."
The Grammy-nominated artist has two National Poetry Slam championships, multiple Clio awards, and an ABA “Entrepreneur of the Year” award.
Andrews, the founder and CEO of SekouWorld, Inc., has shared the stage with Stevie Wonder, John Legend, and Kendrick Lamar. He has spoken to audiences at Google, Nike, GE, the Mayo Clinic, and the American Medical Association.
“Sekou’s unique artistry connects deeply with people from every walk of life,” said Susan Jacques, president and CEO of GIA.
“His closing keynote will leave attendees feeling energized, empowered, and reminded of the transformative power of storytelling. We couldn’t imagine a better way to end Converge.”
Andrew’s closing keynote performance will be on Wednesday, Sept. 10 at 8:00 a.m. PT.
Neuroscientist and perception expert Beau Lotto will host the opening keynote event on Monday, Sept. 8 at 8:00 a.m.
Organizers are also looking for poster presenters for the event who would like to share their ideas, research findings, or other relevant information to the gem and jewelry industry.
Converge is a combination of AGS Conclave, the group’s annual education and networking event, and GIA’s Symposium, a research and education event held every five to seven years.
Submitted abstracts must fall into one of the conference’s research themes and will be reviewed for appropriateness and scientific merit.
The themes include:
Gemology: the evolving science of gems;
Diamonds: geology, characterization, evaluation, sources, treatments;
Colored stones: formation, identification, treatment localities;
Pearls: sources, identification, treatments; and
Instruments, new technologies, and techniques.
The abstracts should include:
Title of the proposed poster presentation;
Name, affiliation, mailing address, telephone number, and e-mail address of the presenter;
The conference theme for which the abstract is intended;
A brief summary of the research (about 400 words); and
One figure or table (optional).
Abstracts for the poster session have to be sent to posters@gia.edu by June 16.
Presenters must be registered for at least one day of Conclave.
For more details and to register, visit the Converge website.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
AuctionsNov 20, 2025
Vanderbilt Jewels Shine at Phillips Sale, Pink Diamond WithdrawnA 43-carat sapphire brooch from the Vanderbilt collection was the top lot of the Geneva sale.
CollectionsNov 20, 2025
Rebecca Rau Jewels Debuts With ‘Then & Now’ CollectionRau is a fourth-generation art and antique dealer from M.S. Rau gallery whose first jewelry collection merges artifacts with modern design.
Policies & IssuesNov 20, 2025
RJC Names New Executive DirectorFormer De Beers sustainability leader Purvi Shah will take over the role in February 2026.
Brought to you by
Impacting Tomorrow TodayHow Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.
WatchesNov 20, 2025
LVMH Takes Minority Stake in Citizen Group-Owned Movement Maker La Joux-Perret is based in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, and makes solar quartz as well as mechanical watch movements.
Weekly QuizNov 13, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
GradingNov 20, 2025
Julia Griffith Joins SSEF as Head of EducationShe previously taught at Gem-A and is the founder of The Gem Academy.
CollectionsNov 19, 2025
Larkspur & Hawk Celebrates 25 Years With Helena Bonham Carter CampaignThe British actress and her daughter modeled pieces from the brand’s new “Palette” capsule for its “Once Upon a Time” holiday campaign.
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line CatalogRoseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.
TechnologyNov 19, 2025
Google Has a New Form for Reporting ‘Review Bombing’ Attacks Plus, the tech giant shares the steps retailers should take if they believe they’re a victim of a review extortion scam.
IndependentsNov 19, 2025
Houston Jeweler Keith Shaftel Retires, Next Generation Steps In Danny and Gaby Shaftel are now Shaftel Diamonds’ CEO and chief operating officer, respectively.
TrendsNov 19, 2025
Midas Chain Releases 2025 Holiday Style GuideThe jewelry manufacturer’s seasonal offering features its new “Melodie” bangles, as well as mini stud earrings and layering pieces.
MajorsNov 18, 2025
Lugano Diamonds Files for Bankruptcy, Looking for BuyerThe Chapter 11 filing follows the resignation of CEO Moti Ferder, who stepped down after an investigation into the company’s finances.
SourcingNov 18, 2025
Another Diamond Company CEO Steps DownMark Wall, president and CEO of Canadian mining company Mountain Province Diamonds, will vacate his position next month.
CrimeNov 17, 2025
Police Searching for 2 Suspects in Murder of Father, Son Jewelers Faustino Alamo Dominguez and his son, 25-year-old Luis Angel Alamo, were gunned down following an armed robbery at their jewelry store.
GradingNov 17, 2025
IGI Announces New President of North AmericaTiffany & Co. veteran Jeffrey Bennett has stepped into the role.
MajorsNov 17, 2025
Look Inside Robbins Brothers Fine Jewelers’ New Pasadena FlagshipThe showroom is located in a historic 1920s building in the Playhouse District.
Policies & IssuesNov 14, 2025
U.S., Switzerland Reach Deal That Drops Tariff to 15%The Swiss government announced the deal, which cuts the tax on Swiss imports by more than half, on social media Friday morning.
AuctionsNov 14, 2025
Napoleon’s Diamond Brooch Blows Away Auction Estimates A buyer paid $4.4 million for the piece, which Napoleon wore on his hat for special occasions and left behind when he fled Waterloo.
FinancialsNov 14, 2025
Richemont’s Q2 Jewelry Sales Up 12%Plus, how tariffs and the rising price of gold are affecting its watch and jewelry brands.
CollectionsNov 14, 2025
Piece of the Week: Silvia Furmanovich’s ‘Butterflies in Flight’ Jewelry BoxFurmanovich designed the box to hold Mellerio’s “Color Queen,” a high jewelry collection consisting of 10 rings.
Events & AwardsNov 14, 2025
JCK Names New Event DirectorJennifer Hopf, who has been with JCK since 2022, will lead the execution of the long-running jewelry trade show.
IndependentsNov 13, 2025
127-Year-Old New Orleans Jeweler to CloseAdler’s Jewelry is set to close its two stores as 82-year-old owner Coleman E. Adler II retires.
IndependentsNov 13, 2025
Green Lake Jewelry Works to Move to New Seattle StudioFounder Jim Tuttle shared how a dedication to craftsmanship and meaningful custom jewelry fueled the retailer’s double-digit growth.
MajorsNov 13, 2025
Vahan Jewelry Founder Leon ‘Sacha’ Der Calousdian Dies at 85The third-generation jeweler is remembered as a passionate creative with a love of art, traveling and sailboat racing.
CrimeNov 12, 2025
Father, Son Jewelers in Chicago Victims in Double Homicide JSA and Cook County Crime Stoppers are both offering rewards for information leading to the arrest of the suspect or suspects involved.
AuctionsNov 12, 2025
‘Mellon Blue’ Diamond Sells for $7M Less Than It Did a Decade AgoA buyer paid $25.6 million for the diamond at Christie’s on Tuesday. In 2014, Sotheby’s sold the same stone for $32.6 million.
AuctionsNov 12, 2025
Historic Rolex Oyster Fetches $1.7M at Sotheby’sMercedes Gleitze famously wore the watch in her 1927 swim across the English Channel, a pivotal credibility moment for the watchmaker.
