The Black in Jewelry Coalition (BIJC) will celebrate creativity and accomplishments in the jewelry industry at its Rock the Jewels awards ceremony during NYC Jewelry Week. Held on Nov. 21 at the Elsie Rooftop, the event will honor trailblazers like Eddie Plein, known for his pioneering work with custom grills, and recognize Seattle-based Ben Bridge Jeweler for its commitment to diversity.
BIJC will also announce winners of the Behind the Shine Award and the Rising Star Award. The nominees for Behind the Shine include Tiffany Bryan Sr. (Catbird), Trish Carruth (Your Personal Jeweler), and Anna Samsonova (Samsonova Consulting). Rising Star nominees are Gwen Beloti (Gwen Beloti Collection), Symoné Currie (Metal x Wire), and Ola Erogbogbo (Deinté Fine Jewelry).
Malyia McNaughton, BIJC board chair, emphasized the importance of highlighting creativity, resilience, and impact through education, such as their Future Jewelers high school program launched this year. The honorees reflect BIJC's commitment to fostering inclusivity and excellence in the industry, paving the way for future generations.