Black in Jewelry Coalition Names Five New Board Members

The Black in Jewelry Coalition (BIJC) appointed five new board members on Wednesday.

The BIJC tapped Thomas Davis, director of business development at Select Jewelry, as vice president; Monalisa DePina, retail account manager for JCK Las Vegas and JIS Miami, as secretary; Jamie Batiste, founder of Rejected Hearts Club, as communications chair; and Namwezi Nicole Batumike, gender and responsible-sourcing specialist at Congolese nonprofit Panzi Foundation, as international committee chair. It also named Lavina Hunt- Lewis, vice president of regional operations at Signet Jewelers, to the board, it said last week.

“Welcoming these new board members builds on our ongoing work to strengthen partnerships, deepen representation, and create real, lasting pathways for professional growth across the jewelry, gem and watch industry,” said Elyssa Jenkins-Pérez, president and cofounder of BIJC, a nonprofit committed to advancing Black professionals within the gem, jewelry and watch industry.

This year, BIJC will continue to expand its global programming, including industry events, professional development and more member benefits as well as cross-sector partnerships, which is said would increase access and visibility for Black professionals throughout their careers.

Image: The five new board members. (Black in Jewelry Coalition)