$69,500 in Scholarships Awarded
to Cosmetology and Barber Students Nationwide!
Minneapolis, MN – November 2025: Nineteen deserving students from across the United States each received scholarships from the Joe Francis Haircare Scholarship Foundation. A total of $69,500 in scholarship awards makes this the highest gifting year for the Foundation.
The Foundation was created in honor of Joe and Flo Francis, well respected entrepreneurs, who never forgot their early struggles, and continuously looked for ways to help others succeed in the haircare industry. Over the past 28 years the Foundation has awarded 507 scholarships, a total of $710,800 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 legacy, the Joe Francis Haircare Scholarship Foundation, awarded two $5,000 scholarships in each of their names.
Recipient of the $5,000 Flo Francis award is Ammari Tamani, and the $5,000 Joe Francis award is Steven Igo. Both Ammari and Steven’s personal stories, and commitment to their education and career path are impressive. Congratulations Ammari and Steven on receiving these legacy awards.
In addition, we recognize 17 future barbers and cosmetologists each awarded $3,500 scholarships. These deserving students demonstrated a strong commitment to completing their barber/cosmetology education as well as financial need.
Ammari Tamani
Recipient of the $5,000 Flo Francis Award Westchester School of Beauty Culture, Mount Vernon, NY
Steven Igo
Recipient of the $5,000 Joe Francis Award Merrell University of Beauty Arts & Science, Jefferson City, MO
Aquino-Truss, Mariah
Bella Capelli Academy, Pittsburgh, PA
Barbes, Anastasia
Aveda Institue, Minneapolis, MN
Boleyn, Ellen
Aveda Institute, West Des Moines, IA
Bult, Adia
Empire Beauty School, Hooksett, NH
Holland, Lena
Wade Gordon Academy, Lubbox, TX
Ibarra-Gomez, Juan Carlos
The Barber School, Midvale, UT
Jones, Kiviyon
Franklin Institute, Houston, TX
Pepe, Ashli
Iowa School of Beauty, Urbandale, IA
Rike, Allyson
Aveda Institute, West Chester, OH
Rombach, Kaitlyn
Sylvain Melloul Academy, Lynchburg, VA
Sanders, Jillian
The Salon Professional Academy, Holland, MI
Severance, Kelly
Pinnacle Institute of Cosmetology, Mooresville, NC
Toney-Bruckner, Gabriella
Aveda Institute, Madison, WI
Waugh, Isabell
Iowa School of Beauty, Sioux City, IA
Images Not Available:
Amiss, Lily Empire Beauty School, Hooksett, NH
Gonzalez, Marcelle Gateway Community College, Phoenix, AZ
Houg, Cammeron Northwest College of Beauty, Tualatin, OR
Joe Francis
In 1994, the Joe Francis Haircare Scholarship Foundation was started 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 with 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.