MAKING A DIFFERENCE
MAKE LIFE BRILLIANT KORMAN’S GLOBAL COMMUNITY
I n August 2022, Korman owners Kat and Larry Stokes had the remarkable opportunity to travel to Africa on an educational trip with our partner, Grandview Klein Diamonds. They viewed the Namibian diamond mining process each step of the way, and visited communal projects where the need for support is great. With factories and operations in Namibia, Botswana, and South Africa, Grandview Klein Diamonds has become the largest diamond manufacturer in the U.S. and the supplier of the top quality diamonds you see at Korman. Their core values of craftsmanship, trust, dedication and integrity allow them to support the industries and communities in which they do business, inspiring others to do the same. Korman is proud to stand with Grandview Klein in their mission to come alongside the communities that have given so much to us. Today, mining has become Namibia’s leading economic sector, yielding millions of diamonds each year and largely contributing to the growth of the country’s GDP. Operating 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, the Benguela Gem employs over 130 people, primarily Namibian citizens, and has completely shifted Namibia’s overall diamond yield. Previously sourcing 95% through land mining in the early nineties, 70% of their diamond yield now comes from marine mining, producing more diamonds than ever before. The Namibian Diamond Trading Center, (NDTC), employs around 100 experts in their field, who clean, sort, weigh, and value each diamond before distributing the lots amongst the 11 sight holders every month. Each of these sightholders are required to have a local manufacturing facility, offering even more job opportunities in the diamond industry. The profits from the sightholders are split 50/50 between De Beers and the Namibian government through their partnership, known as NamDeb. Throughout this process, approximately 80-85% of the money produced from diamond mining is returned to the Namibian government and utilized for the betterment of their people. Investing over $4 million each year into training programs in the mining sector, Namibia continues to grow, with 300-400 graduates from these programs annually. In conjunction with Grandview Klein and its fellow jewelry retailers, the
“I can’t begin to tell you how important it is to partner with the countries in which mining is so prevalent. We are redefining the process from the mine to design by discovering ways we can assist the local communities. These machines will not only deliver a resource for people in need today, but will inspire corporations that have a desire to reinvest their dollars with the people of Namibia for tomorrow.” – LARRY STOKES In their mission to redefine the process from the mine to design, Grandview Klein and Korman have continued to come alongside communities in need. From building an orphanage years ago to providing medical supplies and equipment on a regular basis, they are dedicated to supporting communities based on their most pressing needs. “This summer, we had the privilege to meet some of the students from the Eros Primary school in Windhoek,” Kat Stokes said. “We were able to make substantial donations to their educational fund that provides scholarships and sanitary pads to young girls.” This need for support goes far beyond the country of Namibia. Upon traveling back through Johannesburg, Kat and Larry Stokes were able to visit the Kliptown Youth Program (KYP). Kliptown is an impoverished community in South Africa with limited running water and a severe lack of resources. In a community where access to basic human needs is a daily struggle, residents of Kliptown founded the youth program as a place where children can go to participate in tutoring, athletic, and arts programs, instilling hope in their futures and empowering the next generation. Functioning as an after school and preschool program, the program shows children that there is a path to success and growth. Inspired by their mission, the Stokes were able to donate essential school supplies to the KYP. These values and practices that
Stokes were able to contribute to the donation of three life-saving, modern dialysis machines to the new Grandview Klein Diamond Dialysis Center in a low income area of Windhoek. On August 10, 2022, Namibia’s Minister of Health of Social Services, Dr. Kalumbí Shangula, and Lead Physician Dr. Erkana, accepted the donation on behalf of the Oyetweni Health Centre.
Korman shares with Grandview Klein goes far beyond our partnership or inspiring trip to Namibia and South Africa. Korman is dedicated to uplifting our own community each and every day, supporting local non- profits monetarily and physically in any way we can, in a way in which aligns with the Korman core values.
16 KORMAN MAGAZINE
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