The Beauty Changes Lives Foundation is commemorating the legacy of educator, mentor and visionary Fabio Sementilli with a scholarship honoring his contributions to professional beauty education. The Fabio Sementilli Professional Mentorship Scholarship was privately announced on Monday, May 22, during a Wella-hosted event celebrating Sementilli’s life and contributions to professional beauty education.

The scholarship honors Sementilli’s example of professional development throughout a hairstylist’s career journey.  Beginning in Spring 2018, licensed professionals may apply for advanced education programming at top-rated academies throughout the U.S. Course offerings will span the spectrum and include learning opportunities for new hairstylists, mid-career professionals and seasoned industry veterans. Details on the inaugural class offerings will be available October 2017.

Fundraising events at Premier 2017 and Cosmoprof North America 2017 will provide an opportunity for the industry to support the new scholarship initiative focused on supporting licensed professionals. Preview the announcement video and the fundraising challenge here.

 “As a mentor, educator and leader, Fabio changed lives for thousands of hairstylists around the globe,” said Lynelle Lynch, president of the Beauty Changes Lives Foundation. “While the industry mourns the loss of such a talented and inspiring visionary, we are honored that his generosity lives on through this scholarship and through leading brands such as COTY who hosted tonight’s celebration of his life.”

COTY has been a long-time supporter of the Beauty Changes Lives Foundation, and founded the first Beauty Changes Lives scholarship honoring an industry icon. Launched in 2013, the Vidal Sassoon Professional Beauty Education “Basic” and “Advanced” scholarships was established with a $1.5M gift and has since changed the lives of nearly 200 aspiring and licensed hairstylists.