Russell Simmons: The Diamond Empowerment Fund

Taddy Blecher (in the tie) and me, with Maharishi Institute Students, after meditation and discussion. The students presented me with special artwork they made for my visit. In South Africa this week for my work to grow the Diamond Empowerment Fund (D.E.F.), a non-profit I co-founded last year to support educational empowerment programs in African nations where diamonds are a natural resource. Traveled to Sun City, a couple of hours from Johannesburg at the invitation of the Diamond Trading Company (DTC) to speak to the Sightholders about diamonds for good and how they can get involved in supporting greater opportunity for young Africans through access to higher education. Varda Shine, the Managing Director of the DTC and a D.E.F. Board Member, gave us this important platform for D.E.F.'s cause and goals of getting the international diamond jewelry industry on board. FYI, the Sightholders are 78 companies from all over the world that have the exclusive opportunity to buy diamonds ... (link)