DEF to Honor ‘Selma’ Actor, Former South African First Lady

Las Vegas--The Diamond Empowerment Fund has announced two more “Diamonds Do Good” award honorees to be celebrated at the annual gala held in Las Vegas.

Actor David Oyelowo will receive the International Vanguard Award and former First Lady of South Africa Her Excellency Graca Machel Mandela will receive the first Global Humanitarian Award at the event. 

They join retailer Helzberg Diamonds in being honored on June 4 at the Four Seasons Ballroom in Las Vegas.

Oyelowo, famous for films like “Selma” and “A United Kingdom” (a film that highlights the diamond trade in Botswana), is a British-born actor of Nigerian descent. He will receive the International Vanguard Award for his work with the GEANCO Foundation, which runs surgical missions and provides maternal and infant healthcare in Nigeria.

Oyelowo also recently founded the David Oyelowo Leadership Scholarship for Girls, which aims to provide opportunities for Nigerian girls to eventually become country leaders.

Machel, honored with the first Global Humanitarian Award from DEF, is a longtime political and social advocate. She served as the Minister of Education and Culture in Mozambique when she was only 29.

After leaving office, she worked as an expert for the United Nations Secretary General and produced a report on protecting children in armed conflict.

From 1975 to 1986 she was the First Lady of Mozambique, when her husband Samora Machel served as president until his death. Later she was the First Lady of South Africa from 1988 to 1999, when she was married to Nelson Mandela.

She also is the founder of the Graca Machel Trust, which aims to improve visibility for African women and children.

The Diamond Empowerment Fund already announced that Helzberg Diamonds will receive the Corporate Legacy of Philanthropy Award at the gala event this summer. 

The Kansas City-based retailer has long helped to serve its local community. It’s been involved with organizations ranging from the Girl Scouts to the Kansas City Zoo and founded the Diamond Council of America, and since 2009 has been particularly involved with Make-a-Wish America.

To purchase tickets or sponsorships for the Diamonds Do Good Awards gala, visit DiamondsDoGoodAwards.org.