Minneapolis, MN • November 8, 2023
Fifteen deserving students from across the United States each received scholarships from the Joe Francis Haircare Scholarship Foundation. A total of $55,500 in scholarship awards make this year the highest gifting year for the Foundation.
Joe and Flo Francis started with a one chair barbershop, and they never forgot those early struggles, continuously looked for ways to help others find opportunities in the hair industry. Over the past 26 years the Foundation has awarded 472 scholarships, a total of $612,300 in awards, to students enrolled in cosmetology and barber programs. The scholarships go directly toward tuition costs for cosmetology and barber education.
In memory of Joe and Flo Francis, founders of the Joe Francis Haircare Scholarship Foundation, two $5,000 scholarships are awarded in each of their names.
Recipients of the $5,000 Flo Francis and the $5,000 Joe Francis Awards
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- Emerald Pankewich, Zhair Academy, Overland Park, KS
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- Trayton Brewer, Barber School of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
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- Rickie Dean Phagan’s Beauty College Bend, OR
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- Sarah Evans Empire Beauty School Somersworth, NH
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- Evelyn Fullagar Aveda Institute Augusta, ME
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- Kelsey Garrett Aspire Beauty School Cookeville, TN
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- Brandy Hawkin Summit Salon Academy Anderson, IN
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- Clifford Johnson III SO CA College of Beauty Escondido, CA
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- Kyra Marks Aveda Institute Brandon, FL
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- Selene Roades IntelliTec College Grand Junction, CO
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- Adrianna Rodriguez-Law Paul Mitchell School Oviedo, FL
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- Kimberleigh Rood Empire Beauty School Shamokin Dam, PA
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- Karla Vazquez The Temple Annapolis Annapolis, MD
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- Rose Praser College of DuPage Glen Ellyn, IL
Image not available: Bren Fredrickson, PCI Academy,Plymouth, MN
Each scholarship recipient demonstrated a strong commitment to complete his or her barber/cosmetology education as well as financial need.
In 1994, the Joe Francis Haircare Scholarship Foundation was initiated by a prominent industry expert, Rick Goldberg, a dedicated board member until his passing in 2013. It was Rick’s vision to establish this Foundation in recognition of the life and achievements of Joe and Flo Francis, founders of The Barbers Corporation and the franchise systems: Cost Cutters, City Looks Salons, and We Care Hair, now Regis Corporation subsidiaries.
Joe Francis’ story is literally one of rags to riches, beginning his first job as a shoeshine boy for a local barber school. His labors eventually led him to enroll as a barber student where his entrepreneurial spirit flourished and his lifelong career in the industry took off. He built state of the art hair salons and began franchising first as The Barbers Hairstyling for Men and Women, Inc.
He took his company public and established The Barbers Corporation. The Barbers grew to 1,200 franchise hair salons in the United States and Europe. Flo became Chairwoman of the Board of the Barbers International Corporation after Joe passed away in 1994. Under her leadership the corporation thrived and strengthened its position as a leader in the international salon industry. Together, they were recognized for their industry leadership and inducted into the International Franchise Association Hall of Fame. Joe was inducted posthumously into the National Barbers Hall of Fame. The impact of their tenacious entrepreneurial spirit on the haircare industry is forever their legacy.
Daughter, and President of the Foundation, Barbara Francis, announced, “My parents worked tirelessly to strengthen the industry and elevate the hairstyling profession. They believed it offered a path to self-fulfillment and reward. Joe and Flo were determined to help deserving individuals launch their career, wanting to give back to an industry that gave them so much.”
Applications for future scholarships are accepted from January through June 1st of each year, with award notifications made each September. For more information, visit the Foundation’s web site: www.joefrancis.com or email: [email protected].
Contact:
Barb Francis, President
Joe Francis Haircare Scholarship Foundation
(651) 769-1757
www.joefrancis.com
