New York, NY – Black in Jewelry Coalition (BIJC) and Jewelers of America (JA) announce the winning participant of the 2025 Emerging Jewelers Accelerator Program (EJAP), a series of interactive workshops designed to provide selected new retail jewelry entrepreneurs with a deeper understanding of how to build and maintain a successful business in the jewelry industry.
Following a final presentation, Katty Villapando Lyte & Mica Rencher of Shimmer Culture, LLC were selected as the recipient of the $10,000 grant.
“The Emerging Jewelers Accelerator Program (EJAP) has been transformative for Shimmer Culture in ways we could not have achieved on our own. The workshops led by seasoned industry professionals were invaluable. Coming from outside the jewelry world, there was so much we didn't know, and EJAP sessions gave us the kind of insider knowledge that would have taken multiple years to learn on our own. From refining our operations to better understanding customer engagement, each session gave us actionable insights that we immediately applied. In just nine months, we've seen measurable growth in engagement, customer relationships, and sales. EJAP didn't just accelerate our progress – it fundamentally changed the trajectory of our business,” said Katty and Mica of Shimmer Culture LLC.
The cohort’s four other participants: Brooke Brinson, Ed & Ethel's Fine Jewelry; Jessenia Landrum, Jevela; Brittney Moore, Britt Moore Jewelry; and Olga Shatrova, Olga Shatrova Jewelry, each received grant funds for completing the program.
“The Emerging Jewelers Accelerator Program is an important part of our Impact Initiative. 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,” says Jewelers of America President & CEO David Bonaparte.
The EJAP program, supported by the JCK Industry Fund, hosted interactive workshops conducted in the following core business topics: business strategy, accounting, HR/operations, legal, product development, jewelry forensics, ethical sourcing, sales, marketing, security and insurance. The program’s subject matter experts were Nikki Carlson, Mariel Diaz, Jennifer Gandia, Cecilia Gardner,
Scott Guginsky, William Jones, Jennifer Mulvihill, Emily Phillippy, Adrianne Sanogo, Jennifer Shaheen, and Susan Wheeler.
“Serving as a judge for the EJAP competition for the second consecutive year was an honor and deeply fulfilling. As the Immediate Past President and Co-Founder of the Black in Jewelry Coalition and now President of the BIJC Education Fund/ Future Jewelers Academy, a 501(c)(3) and recipient of the inaugural JA Impact Initiative, I’m inspired by programs that uplift independent voices. As an independent jewelry designer and gemologist, this initiative is especially meaningful to me, and I’m deeply committed to advocating for designers and independent jewelry companies. The $10,000 grant awarded to the winners, along with additional funding provided to other participants, is truly impactful and will help strengthen the foundation for designers and independent retailers to grow and thrive in an evolving industry,” says Malyia McNaughton.
In addition to the interactive workshops, JA and BIJC also invited the cohort to attend the JCK Show in Las Vegas. Katty and Mica shared, “The program's funding and credibility also made it possible for us to attend JCK – an opportunity that would have otherwise been out of reach.”
The EJAP Committee is made up of: Regina Ciarleglio, Jewelers of America; Annie Doresca, Jewelers of America; Molly Fallon, Jewelers of America; Sharie Fogarty, Jewelers of America; Dahlia Fyffe, Jewelers of America; Amanda Gizzi, Jewelers of America; Lisa Jones, Gemological Institute of America; Malyia McNaughton, Made by Malyia; Susan Posnock, Jewelers of America; and Adrianne Sanogo; Black in Jewelry Coalition.
Information on the EJAP can be found on the Black in Jewelry Coalition’s website and Jewelers of America’s website.
