Black in Jewelry Coalition (BIJC) and Jewelers of America (JA) have jointly developed the Emerging Jewelers Accelerator Program (EJAP), a series of interactive workshops to provide selected new retail jewelry entrepreneurs with a deeper understanding of how to build and maintain a successful business in the jewelry industry.
The EJAP program will consist of a cohort of five carefully selected retail jewelry entrepreneurs and a wide variety of established subject-matter experts (SME). The SMEs will lead interactive workshops during the eight-month program.
After the workshops are complete, participants will provide a presentation encapsulating the program’s educational content and how it would be utilized in their business. One of the participants will be eligible to receive a $5,000 grant. The remaining four will be awarded $1,250 each. Following the completion of the EJAP program, the cohort will continue to have access to periodic check-in calls, quarterly workshops, and invitations to industry events.
Program Curriculum
The Emerging Jewelers Accelerator Program Workshop Curriculum will consist of the following topics:Business Strategy
HR/Operations
Product Development/Jewelry Forensics
Accounting
Marketing & Sales
Legal
Insurance and Security
Ethical Sourcing and Manufacturing
The EJAP is proudly supported by the JCK Industry Support Fund.
Subject Matter Experts
SME’s will create and lead an interactive workshop on their specialty that is 1-2 hours in length. Subject matter experts agree to mentor the entrepreneurs throughout the eight-month program duration. Stipends are available for up to $1,000. SME’s may choose to donate back the stipend back into the fund prize money to be given to the cohort.SME Requirements
- Time commitment of 1-2 hours of presenting to participants, not including prep time
- In business a minimum of two years
- Experience providing presentations in your area of expertise
- Provide a copy of presentation at least 2 weeks prior to conclusion of program
- Business has an EIN
- Residing in the United States, ability to accept US bank-drawn checks
Participant Requirements
EJAP participant's will have a time commitment of 1-5 hours per month over an 8-month period.Participant Eligibility Requirements
- In business a minimum of two to five years
- Own a jewelry business that sells directly to consumers
- Business has an EIN
- 18+ years of age, residing in the United States, ability to accept US bank-drawn checks
- Willingness to complete the program in its entirety, including completing pre- and post program surveys and final accelerator grant presentation. Participants can have no more than two absences or they will not be eligible for any grant money.
- Permit JA and BIJC to utilize their image and name on their websites and in current/future promotions
- Upon completion of the program, participants will provide a presentation that implements the teachings of the curriculum and how it will impact their business as well as how they would utilize the cash grant
- Final presentation should be no more than seven minutes in length
Thank You to Our Supporters
The EJAP is made possible thanks to a grant from the JCK Industry Fund.About the JCK Industry Fund
The mission of the JCK Industry Fund is to support the jewelry industry’s long-term success and growth by providing grant funding to impactful organizations with the vision and programming to drive sustainable improvements across the industry.
