by Alisa Gumbs
July 14, 2026
The longtime entrepreneur and spouse of LL Cool J extends her observe document of superstar partnerships with a collaboration impressed by Rapsody’s new album.
A brand new jewellery assortment from Simone I. Smith Jewellery is coming this summer time. And it’s impressed by Grammy Award-winning rapper Rapsody’s upcoming album, God Gotta Afro & Gold Hoops.
The total assortment drops in August, however the Raveen Hoops, designed in 18K yellow gold plating and out there in two sizes, can be found for pre-order now. The assertion hoops have fun Black magnificence by symbolic design components together with an Afro choose and a lady’s silhouette, and the title pays homage to the Black-owned haircare model Raveen, recognized for championing pure hair in the course of the Afro period.
“I selected to collaborate with Rapsody as a result of she’s not solely an outstanding artist, she’s additionally an expensive buddy. She has at all times supported my model, and I’ve at all times admired her type, power, spirit, and authenticity,” stated Smith in an announcement. “The Raveen Hoops are a celebration of tradition, sisterhood, and the fantastic thing about embracing who we’re.”
Rapsody additional defined, “Creating The Raveen Hoops with Simone appears like the right bodily expression of this album. The ring represents the heirloom. The Afro choose represents the language. The girl’s silhouette represents the divinity, magnificence, and energy of Black womanhood on the heart of all of it.”
In accordance with her web site, Smith co-founded Simone I. Smith Jewellery in 2011 following her prognosis of stage III chondrosarcoma, a uncommon sort of bone most cancers. It began with a signature lollipop pendant, then got here hoop earrings, bangles, necklaces, and a males’s jewellery assortment. By way of her partnership with the American Most cancers Society, she donates a portion of proceeds from every sale to the continued battle towards the illness.
Smith spoke with BLACK ENTERPRISE completely in regards to the new jewellery assortment and the ability of partnering with different Black ladies:
You began your jewellery line 15 years in the past. What have been the keys to working a model that lasts?
God has been on the heart of every thing. I’ve stayed true to who I’m, created timeless items as a substitute of chasing tendencies, listened to my prospects, and by no means compromised on high quality or goal.
Through the years, you’ve collaborated with plenty of artists, like Sergio Hudson and Mary J. Blige. What makes for a profitable partnership?
The very best partnerships are constructed on belief, respect, and shared values. When everybody brings their genuine creativity to the desk with the identical purpose, that’s when the magic occurs.
Your Sister Love jewellery assortment with Blige and your new collab with Rapsody are primarily based on sisterhood and the ability of Black ladies. Are you able to communicate to the significance of girls in enterprise working collectively?
When ladies help one another, all of us win. There’s room for all of us to succeed, and after we collaborate as a substitute of compete, we create alternatives which are greater than any one in every of us.
You even have a line together with your daughter, Samaria Leah. What recommendation are you able to share about working with household?
Respect one another’s strengths. Let everybody convey their very own imaginative and prescient to the desk, talk truthfully, and at all times shield the connection earlier than the enterprise.
What do you hope the following era of girls are studying about entrepreneurship?
I hope they perceive that earlier than beginning a enterprise, they need to ask themselves if there’s a spot within the market for what they wish to construct. What void are you filling? And when you’re coming into an area that already exists, what makes your model completely different? Encompass your self with a fantastic staff that’s simply as passionate in regards to the imaginative and prescient as you’re. Keep genuine, work onerous, be affected person, be constant, and keep in mind that your repute is one in every of your best property.
RELATED CONTENT: Simone I. Smith Hosts ‘Sismas’ Custom in Honor of Sisterhood
