Bridgeja' Baker (pronounced Bridgeja-jay) is a jewelry designer from New Orleans, Louisiana with over 12 years of experience in the jewelry field. Baker is a senior at The Savannah College of Art & Design, with a major in Jewelry and a minor in Business Management. Bridgeja' began her business at the age of 10, after an orthodontist visit that lead her into the doors of a beading shop. Over the years, Bridgeja has received many awards and accolades including, City Business Innovator of the Year Award, The Artie Award from Delta Sigma Theta, a letter of recognition from Former First Lady Michelle Obama's Chief of Staff (Melissa Winter), received a Proclamation from the City of New Orleans, recognized by the SCORE foundation for being a minority owned small business, etc. Over the years, Bridgeja' has had the pleasure of making jewelry for 5 wedding parties, making custom pieces for various political figures and actors/ actresses in New Orleans, as well as being featured in various publications in Louisiana as well as other states. Bridgeja's inspiration for creating jewelry comes from her love of her hometown, New Orleans. Bridgeja is inspired by New Orleans because the city is so full of history, beautiful architecture, and culture. Bridgeja's goal is to create custom jewelry pieces and create lasting relationships with her clients.
Media Coverage/Accolades
2016
Essence Festival Rising Star Award Sponsored by Coca-Cola
2014
Gambit’s 40 Under 40 Years of Age Achievers Award
The Network Journal (Jan. 15, 2014) Teenpreneur’s Custom Jewelry Line now on QVC
2013
Bend-A-Bangles on sale on QVC.com (Dec. 6, 2013)
Nola Nights Magazine Nov 2013 New Orleans Talented Kids)
Small Business Administration Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award
Small Business Showcase TV Show
2012
SCORE Outstanding Minority-Owned Small Business Award sponsored by AT&T
My information was published in a book called “The Diva Guide to Style and Self Respect It’s your pocketbook to success! (Authors Cheryl A. Wadlington and Sonya Beard).
Eyes Wide Opening The Tony Brown Show
Artie Award from Delta Sigma Theta Sorority
WBOK Radio Interview (Aug.)
Louisiana Weekly Newspaper Article: Local “Teenpreneur” scores national recognition
Fellowship Journal “Bridgeja’ Baker: Presidential Jewelry Designer”
New Orleans Unplugged.com Success by Design: A Young Business Phenom’s Foundation of Excellence
TheStreet: Teenager a Gem in Minority-Owned Small Business Sector
Victims & Citizens Against Crime Merit Award
Data News Weekly Local Women Named Outstanding Minority-Owned Small Business
I participated in the Senate Committee roundtable discussion entitled “Closing the Wealth Gap through the African American Entrepreneurial Ecosystem”. I was recognized as being “the youngest witness in the Senate Small Business Committee’s history according to Senator Mary Landrieu.
2011
Eyes Wide Opening the Tony Brown Radio Show
Tribune Newspaper: A Real Gem
Black Enterprise Small Business Teenpreneur Award Nominee
The BOSS Network: Featured Young BOSS: Creative Jewelry by Bridgeja’
Isidore Newman School Newsletter: Bridgeja’ 15: Young Entrepreneur
Certified as a Minority Owned Small Business (Women’s Business Enterprise National Council)
Art in the Yard
Black Pages: Thirteen-Year Old 9th Grader Makes Her Mark in the Jewelry Business
2010
Los Angeles Sentinel (Dec. 31-Jan. 2010) Bridgeja’ Baker A “Gem” Who Decides to Make Gemstones
Asante Award Honoree (Nov. 13, 2010)
Girls Going Places Entrepreneurship Award Program Finalist (Aug, 10, 2010)
Interviewed by Sabrina Wilson on Fox 8 TV station (Essence Fest July 2010)
The Network of Business Women (April 2, 2010)
Data News Weekly (May 29-June 4, 2010) Doing great things at a young age
The Proclamation from the City of New Orleans (February 25, 2010)
Pre-Teen America Scholarship & Recognition Program Semi-Finalist (June 11, 2010)
Scholastic News (Feb, 1, 2010)
Cox Cable TV interview (Jan 26, 2010)
2009
The Green Business Report Volume XX (Dec. 9, 2009)
City Business (Innovator of the Year Honoree September 28th & Oct. 4th 2009)
The Times Picayune Sept. 10, 2009 Community News Section)
The SPCA Newsletter (Sept. 17, 2009)
The Gambit (June 30, 2009)
The Eastern New Orleans Newsletter (June 29, 2009 & Oct. 5, 2009)
The Louisiana Weekly (June 8-June 14, 2009 front page) Business savvy creative youth
Nola.com
The Times Picayune (May 28, 2009 Community News Section)
Speaking Engagement for the Healthy Start Program (June 15, 2009)
I received an acknowledgement letter for the jewelry design I submitted to Mrs. Michelle Obama for consideration as her jewelry designer.
I am committed to support organizations that I believe in. I have donated a percentage of my earnings to the following organizations: The New Orleans Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Children's Hospital, Unity of Greater New Orleans and Mother's Helpers. I have also donated speciality items to the following organizations to help with their fundraising efforts: The Louisiana Breast Cancer Task Force, The Hume Child Development & The A.P. Tureaud Chapter of the Black Law Student Association.