The Wella Company’s Hairdressers at Heart Announces Three New Initiatives

Hairdressers at Heart, a community founded by the Wella Company’s commitment to support and celebrate hairdressers at every stage of their career, is proud to introduce three new programs. These new initiatives, kicking off in November, are designed to improve the lives of professionals in the industry and their clients through scholarships, childcare services and fundraising. 

Carole Protat, Senior Director Brand Education at the Wella Company, declares that the next three months will be critical to supporting both hairdressers and their clients. 

“We’ve selected three organizations that are filling major gaps in the industry,” says Protat. “Starting today, we are excited to open applications for Fabio ICAN Scholarships, where we will award six salon professionals across the US and Canada with $1,000 scholarships to continue their education.” 

The Fabio ICAN Scholarships were created in tribute to the late Fabio Sementilli, Wella educator and mentor to many in the hairdressing profession. The scholarship winners will be selected from a questionnaire on the Hairdressers at Heart website. Salon professionals can enter on a rolling basis now through June 1, 2021. Two winners will be announced each quarter (on December 15, March 15 and the last 2 on June 15), on the @WellaEducation Instagram page. 

In December, timed to the holiday season, Hairdressers at Heart is pleased to support Pretty Ponytails, a community-based organization in Charlotte, NC, that offers hair care kits to at-risk and under-served girls ages 1-18 years old, with a $5,000 donation. Wella Professionals and Sebastian Professional, two brands under the Wella Company, are also donating products to fulfill 500 haircare kits. 

According to Pretty Ponytails founder, Glenisha Thomas, the organization relies on donations to provide kits to their community. “At Pretty Ponytails, we believe that when girls feel good about themselves, they will perform better in school and social settings. We strive to help them succeed and excel academically, socially and in the future,” says Thomas. “We are so appreciative of this donation from Hairdressers at Heart, as we know these kits will have a meaningful impact on our girls.” 

For National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month in January, Hairdressers at Heart will continue fighting against human trafficking with a $10,000 donation to the Polaris Project, for the second year in a row. 

“Salons are a common venue for trafficking victims to pass through,” says Protat. “As hair and nail professionals, it’s our job to do everything we can to recognize the signs and help in the effort to shut down human trafficking.” 

For more information about Hairdressers at Heart, click here