The Nnergy Two Toned Ankh Angel combines Egyptian and Ghanaian symbols
The Nubian Ankh Angel With Gye Nyame Center is a culmination cultural, spiritual and symbolic principles
Photos By Brian W. Carter
Jewelry with Class and Culture
We’ve all passed a jewelry store and even went in to look at all the shiny jewels and diamonds. Most of us have purchased a necklace, bracelet or ring, buying something for a loved one or special occasion at some time or another. But have you ever gone to a jewelry store that will custom make your ideal jewelry—from scratch?
Wazir Salaam and Monnae Michaell have brought the community a place that does just that in Jendayi Collection (JC). Michaell, an actress by trade, who recently starred in the biographical sports film, 42, as Jackie Robinson’s mother Mallie Robinson, is the owner of JC and takes pride in what’s she’s bringing to the community.
“I love that fact that I can go somewhere and it looks like me,” said Michaell. “Whether it’s symbols, flavoring… the jewelry is the vehicle—I liked filling a void that was obviously there.”
Originally from New York, Michaell’s acting career led her to Los Angeles where she would meet her future husband in Salaam. A veteran in the jewelry industry in his own right, Michaell joined in on her husband’s passion.
“What I love about what we do is we recycle,” said Michaell. “We renew and repurpose things, so you can bring in old pieces of jewelry, things you think may not have any value.
She continued, “We take it altogether and with some imagination, we can create something completely different.”
JC is definitely a different kind of jewelry store with unique designs that embrace a variety of cultures. Everything in JC has an accent of culture from the rings to pendants, you are sure to find something unique and authentic.
“It started with the African Diaspora, absolutely, because I believe life starts there,” said Michaell. “We honor all cultures…we (all cultures) have something in common.”
Jendayi is a one-of-a-kind store that embraces beauty across all cultural lines. They customize jewelry around their customer and that is truly unique within itself. “Jendayi means ‘to give thanks, ’ it’s a word from Zimbabwe,” said Michaell. “We wanted to have a culturally inspired store, company, that focused on high quality-inspired, custom design.”
Jendayi is located inside the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza on the 1st floor.
Below: Store owner, Monnae Michaell (left) stands with customers from New York and her husband, Master Jeweler, Wazir Salaam (Right, white shirt)
For more information on Jendayi Collection, please visit their website at http://jendayi.co/african-wedding-rings.php.
brian@lasentinel.net
