TRESemmé has kicked off its annual enrollment period for the Future Stylists Fund, where another class of aspiring Black female hairstylists can apply to receive a $10,000 scholarship to offset the cost of their cosmetology school tuition, in addition to exclusive career-advancing opportunities from TRESemmé.

In 2020, TRESemmé created the Future Stylists Fund, an annual $100,000 scholarship program to help advance the careers of aspiring Black female hairstylists, and the brand is excited to share that they are continuing this commitment by launching the third year of this program this fall. The Future Stylists Fund is an extension of TRESemmé’s ongoing commitment to elevate the Black community in beauty and fashion, and advocate for diverse representation and equitable treatment of hairstylists.

The Research

From difficulty identifying a stylist fluent in styling textured hair to a lack of education in cosmetology school, there is no shortage of challenges for Black women sitting in the styling seat or standing behind it. TRESemmé conducted two national studies on textured hair biases, which uncovered that stylists lack education and training when it comes to styling and caring for textured, curly, and coily hair types.

• This has led to an overwhelming number of Black women (86%) who have reported challenges when it comes to consistent, quality haircare at salons, including difficulty finding a stylist who could care for their type/texture of hair and even outright discrimination or bias due to their hair type. *

• Surveyed stylists agree that education is the top growth driver that would help them advance in their career (40%) and three in four stylists (75%) wish they had more training in how to style Black hair. **

* Results are based on a survey of 1000 Black women (ages 18+) in the United States. KRC Research fielded the survey from October 15 through 22, 2020.

** Results are based on a survey of 500 professional hair stylists who serve at least 50% women in the United States. KRC Research fielded the survey from October 15 through 27, 2020.

The Results

Heading into Year Three, the brand shared some highlights that show how TRESemmé has kept up the momentum for the Future Stylists Fund program since launching in 2020:

• To date, 20 women from across the country have received over $200,000 in scholarship funds and 14 have completed cosmetology school and have gone on to receive their license.

• The last two classes have participated in exciting networking and career-advancing opportunities, including going backstage at NYFW in September to meet TRESemmé stylists.

• Additionally, two of our Future Stylists Fund recipients from previous years even went on to assist Lacy Redway’s styling team backstage at this year’s Fe Noel show at NYFW.

“This experience has changed the trajectory of my career in the beauty industry by giving me the tools that I need to broaden my skills and introducing me to so many wonderful people that I can learn from. The Future Stylists Fund means so much to me because I know what it has done for my career, and I want that experience for all black women within the industry. TRESemmé has shown their dedication to the promise they made when starting this program, and best of all, I've gained lifelong friends and family because of it.”

–Davanay Ellis, TRESemmé Future Stylists Fund Recipient (Class of 2020/Year1)

Who is Eligible and How to Apply

This year, celebrity hairstylists Lacy Redway and Nai’vasha will be returning as Selection Committee members along with Cara Sabin, Beauty and Wellbeing GM at Unilever North America, who is new to the Selection Committee this year, to encourage aspiring Black female hairstylists looking to break into the industry to apply, review the applications, and select this year’s recipients.

Ten applicants will be nominated by the Selection Committee to receive the following benefits from TRESemmé:

• Funding: An award of $10,000 (a $100,000 annual commitment) to each of the 10 Black women looking to become hair professionals, helping to offset cosmetology school tuition costs that may be holding them back from earning their hairstylist license.

• Experience: Further investment in the recipients’ futures by offering industry exposure and career-advancing opportunities to foster meaningful growth.

• Exposure: Exclusive exposure through the TRESemmé channels and community, in addition to mentorship and development resources from members of the TRESemmé network.