By james art Ms Banton said she experienced racism while training and remembers being kicked out of shows for no real reason.
She said one tutor described her as “hot black stuff” because one of her favorite techniques – stalking – involves the use of black tar.
She started a support group for jewelers during the coronavirus pandemic and founded the MasterPeace Academy in 2021 after hearing about other jewelry designers’ experiences with racism.
The academy trains local young people, especially those who feel there are barriers to entry into the jewelery trade.
Ms Banton said she initially thought she needed to “grow a thick skin”.
“But when I interviewed 60 black jewelers, I got the same stories,” she said.
She created the academy “as a safe place so that no one experiences racism as they retrain in this craft.”
Since the establishment of the academy, about 30 students have completed its diploma.
“I feel a sense of responsibility that it’s up to me to make a difference for the next generation of black jewelers, because if not me, then who?
“We want to work with organizations to make the future brighter. Not just for black students, but for everyone in the jewelry trade.
“We want to leave trade safer, fairer and fairer than we found it.”