Hosted by NYCJC and The APEX Museum: A First-of-Its-Kind Contest Offering Artists Cash Prizes And A Cultural Journey To Ghana
Harlem native and entrepreneur Gary Jones founded New York City Jewelry Connection (NYCJC). He is a member of the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce & The Harlem Tourism Board. NYCJC proudly announces the launch of the inaugural Atlanta Juneteenth Design Competition. This groundbreaking nationwide contest invites jewelry designers to create original pieces that honor and commemorate the Black experience in America. The competition began on October 1, 2025, and will conclude on January 20, 2026. This marks a historic milestone. It is the first jewelry design competition explicitly dedicated to celebrating Juneteenth. This federal holiday commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. Designers from across the country are invited to send their pendant designs. These designs should capture the spirit and resilience of this pivotal moment. They should also show the cultural significance in American history.
This unique competition reflects more than artistry; it is a call to engage with history through design. Each pendant submission must show creativity and technical skill. It must also show the ability to express the enduring narrative of freedom, remembrance, and cultural pride that Juneteenth symbolizes. “The jewelry we wear often becomes part of our identity and tells a story without words,” explained Gary Jones, founder of NYCJC. “Juneteenth is not only about looking back—it’s about honoring a legacy while inspiring future generations. We’re inviting designers to translate that meaning into wearable art that will live on as a cultural symbol.”
The Atlanta Juneteenth Design Competition will be judged by acclaimed designer Lu Willard. She is an internationally recognized jewelry artist. Her career spans decades. Willard is renowned for creating custom pieces for music’s greatest icons. These include Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, and Aretha Franklin. Her skill ensures that the winning design will meet the highest standards of craftsmanship. It also honors the emotional and cultural resonance that the competition demands. “Jewelry carries the weight of memory and meaning,” Willard said. “This competition allows us to uplift Juneteenth by transforming history into art that can be worn, shared, and remembered for generations.”
One grand prize winner of the competition will get a seven-day, all-expense-paid trip to Ghana, Africa. This award highlights the competition’s mission to connect African heritage with contemporary American celebration. It creates a tangible connection between the past and the present. Two runners-up will each get a $1,000 cash prize, ensuring that multiple designers are recognized for their efforts. Each participant will contribute a $15 entry fee per pendant design submission. This fee keeps the contest accessible to both emerging and established designers. The competition offers both monetary rewards and a transformative travel experience to Ghana. This gives artists an opportunity that extends far beyond recognition.
For full competition details, rules, and submission guidelines, designers can visit the official website at https://hbcuamazing.com/pages/atlanta-juneteenth-design-competition
Send Jewelry Designs to hbcuamazing@gmail.com
The competition is hosted by The APEX Museum, Atlanta’s premier institution dedicated to preserving and sharing the African American story. Founded in 1978 by filmmaker Dan Moore, Sr., the African American Panoramic Experience Museum is widely known as The APEX Museum. It has been a beacon of cultural preservation for nearly five decades. Located in Atlanta’s historic Sweet Auburn district, the museum chronicles the history of African Americans. This history stretches from its African origins through enslavement, emancipation, and civil rights struggles. It includes contemporary achievements. Its extensive exhibits and collections serve as vital educational resources for local, national, and international visitors. “The APEX Museum provides the perfect cultural foundation for this competition,” said Jones. “Their commitment to preserving history makes them an ideal partner in celebrating Juneteenth through contemporary artistic expression.”
By elevating Juneteenth through wearable art, NYCJC hopes to create lasting symbols of freedom, heritage, and resilience. “Juneteenth is about legacy, history, and the future we build together,” Jones emphasized. “Through this competition, we honor our past while inspiring creativity and pride. The designs submitted will show not only artistry but also the ongoing journey of freedom, resilience, and cultural celebration.” Winning designs will become emblems of this shared history. They will be jewelry that speaks to both the struggles and triumphs of the African American journey.
About Gary Jones
Gary Jones himself brings a life story deeply intertwined with community empowerment and cultural preservation. He was born and raised in Harlem. He is a member of the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce and the Harlem Tourism Board. Jones developed a passion for basketball and community programs from an early age. At the age of 12, he and his twin brother started playing basketball. They participated in the legendary Rucker Park Program, Each One Teach One. Decades later, that experience came full circle. NYCJC partnered with the program to design a commemorative basketball pendant. This pendant supports the program’s mission. Jones graduated from Bedford Park Academy. There, he earned the National Honor Society Award. He then attended Old Westbury and Morehouse College. Alongside his studies, he worked in his family’s business, cultivating the entrepreneurial drive that continues to define his career.
In 2021, a trip to Louisville, Kentucky, inspired Jones to launch New York City Jewelry Connection. He envisioned a company that honored Black history through fine jewelry. It would also reinvest in communities by supporting youth programs and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Since its founding, NYCJC has forged partnerships with major organizations. These include the National Council of Negro Women, the Delta Research and Educational Foundation, and The APEX Museum. By blending skills in business development, marketing, and cultural connection, Jones has positioned NYCJC as a brand. It celebrates legacy, empowers communities, and creates opportunities for future generations.
The launch of the Atlanta Juneteenth Design Competition signifies a unique opportunity to create a new tradition in commemorating Juneteenth. For designers, it is an open invitation to contribute to history through jewelry. This ensures that future generations have symbols of freedom and pride to cherish. These symbols can be worn close to their hearts.
Media Interviews for Gary Jones: Contact Joy Parris –jparris@richgirlproductions.com
For competition Inquiries, contact Gary Jones ( 410)429-0869
