Beyonc?(C), Lorraine Schwartz Create GIA Scholarship

RAPAPORT... Singer Beyonc?(C) Knowles-Carter and designer Lorraine Schwartz will pay for two Black industry professionals to earn a graduate gemologist degree from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA).The performer will choose the recipients of The Beyonc?(C) Knowles-Carter x Lorraine Schwartz GIA Scholarship, the organization said Friday. Each will receive full tuition and paid expenses for a distance-learning program."It is an honor to have this scholarship in my name, but the best part is teaming up with my friend Lorraine Schwartz to give two people an opportunity to learn," said Beyonc?(C). "We both believe that learning is constant. This is a chance to learn from the best, create generational wealth and turn a love of gems into a career."Schwartz gifted the funds for the first scholarship to Beyonc?(C) for her birthday, while the GIA matched the amount to create a second scholarship, the institute noted.Last month, Schwartz launched a separate initiative with the Natural Diamond Council (NDC) to give minority jewelry professionals $1 million in credit for diamond financing, mentorship and access to partners and networks. Designers for that project will be selected by a committee that includes Beyonc?(C)'s mother, Tina Knowles, and former Destiny's Child bandmate Kelly Rowland.Image: Beyonc?(C) Knowles-Carter and Lorraine Schwartz. (Gemological Institute of America)