Uncle Rush Is Back On The East Coast To Do Some GOOD (PHOTOS)

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Selita Ebanks, Noella Coursaris Musunka, Hana Nitsche, Angela Simmons, Russell Simmons and Phyllis Bergman at the 2nd annual GOOD Awards.

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Uncle Rush made his way back to the East Coast for the 2nd annual GOOD Awards last night at Lavo.

Celebs such as Angela Simmons, Selita Ebanks, Jeffrey Wright and a number of diamond industry heavyweights made their way to the midtown NYC event where DJ MOS kept the vibe just right as Estelle performed for the celeb-heavy crowd.

But the real reason everyone was there was for the boss man's non-profit Diamond Empowerment Fund (DEF). DEF joined with the international diamond industry to honor leaders committed to corporate social responsibility and promoting education empowerment and prosperity in Africa, where the majority of diamonds are mined.

DEF’s GOOD Awards were given to diamond industry legends Tiffany & Co. and Leo Schachter Diamonds (creator of the Leo Diamond), and to international model and humanitarian Noella Coursaris Musunka.

During the event, Russell addressed the crowd, saying:

“A strong Africa is an educated Africa. For the diamond industry to be sustainable in the future, empowerment of youth through education is essential.”  

Varda Shine, Vice President, Sightholder Services, De Beers Group and another co-founder of DEF, also addressed the crowd, saying:

“Education and the incubation of leaders of the future must always be our social priority, as it is this that leads to sustained progress, economic growth, and prosperity. Providing unrestricted access to schooling is the first step in creating a virtuous circle of development.”

Congrats to Uncle Rush on another successful event!