JA and BIJC Name Winners of Emerging Jewelers 2025 Award

The Black in Jewelry Coalition (BIJC) and Jewelers of America (JA) have revealed the grant recipients from this year’s accelerator program.

Katty Villapando Lyte and Mica Rencher of Shimmer Culture have won a grant of $10,000, JA said Tuesday. The Emerging Jewelers Accelerator Program (EJAP) offers a series of hands-on workshops tailored to help retail jewelry entrepreneurs gain the insights and tools necessary to launch and grow a thriving business in the industry.

The cohort’s four other participants — Brooke Brinson of Ed & Ethel’s Fine Jewelry, Jessenia Landrum of Jevela, Brittney Moore of Britt Moore Jewelry and Olga Shatrova of Olga Shatrova Jewelry — received grants upon completion of the program.

“The EJAP is an important part of our Impact Initiative,” said JA CEO David Bonaparte. “The 2025 cohort was outstanding. We know that they are the future for jewelry retail, and we look forward to seeing their businesses shine for generations to come.”

Image: Katty Villapando Lyte and Mica Rencher. (Jewelers of America)