Jana’s Cosmetology Academy in Clementon recently was one of five schools in the country to be awarded $50,000 to be used to provide five $10,000 scholarships to those in need.
But, that’s only part of the story.
The grant came from the BeyGOOD Foundation, the nonprofit started by Beyoncé Knowles-Carter.
JCA CEO Atiya Johnson was ecstatic when she announced the news on Instagram late last month.
The Camden County academy was one of ten in the country to be honored, joining schools in Atlanta, Chicago, Houston and Los Angeles.
The $500,000 for this annual grant came from a partnership between the BeyGOOD Fund and Cécred, the hair care company Beyoncé also founded. The scholarship fund was created specifically to recognize the impact and importance of the cosmetology industry.
“Fostering talent, promoting professionalism and supporting entrepreneurships within the hair industry is deeply important to us,” the group said.
The group went on to say:
“Hairstylists have an immense impact on the people in their chairs,” the group wrote. “They create a sacred space where we can show up how we want and express ourselves through our hair.
“We’re honored to give back to this amazing community.”
To apply, click here.
The award follows the mission of the BeyGOOD Foundation, which focuses on economic equity by supporting marginalized and underresourced programs, committed to serving people through educational scholarships, the advocacy of internships and access to resources for advancing entrepreneurship and small business sustainability across the country and abroad, according to the website.