Last month at the Beauty Changes Lives Experience in Chicago, Sydell Miller, co-founder of Matrix, announced a $1 million donation from the Sydell & Arnold Miller Family Foundation to fund beauty and wellness scholarships over the next 10 years. The donation will support scholarships for cosmetology and esthetic students as well as licensed hairstylists, and expand the Miller family’s longstanding philanthropic legacy. Sydell made the announcement during her acceptance speech for the Beauty Changes Lives Foundation’s fifth annual Legacy Award. She and her late husband Arnie are the first co-recipients of the Legacy Award, which recognizes industry icons whose careers have defined a commitment to support professional beauty education (learn more about their partnership and industry legacy here).
The Miller’s gift will fund eight Beauty Changes Lives scholarships yearly in four different categories, including:
- The Arnold M. Miller “Findaway” Scholarship will celebrate students who demonstrate the “findaway” attitude and entrepreneurial spirit that defined Arnold Miller’s career. Awarded annually, this scholarship will fund up to $25,000 toward tuition for one student enrolled at an American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS) member school.
- The “Fashion Forward” Hairdressing Student Scholarship will be awarded to four students who exemplify the term “fashion forward” in their personal style and artistry. Each scholarship will fund 50 percent of tuition, up to $10,000 per student. The scholarships will be awarded annually to students enrolled in an AACS member school.
- The Sydell L. Miller “Total Image” Esthetic Scholarship honors Sydell Miller’s prescient insight years ago that skincare, esthetic treatments, cosmetics and body care would become key growth drivers in the professional salon industry. One $15,000 scholarship will be awarded annually to an esthetic student enrolled in an AACS member school.
- The NextGen Advanced Education Scholarship will be awarded to two licensed hairstylists working in their craft for two to five years. Winners will personify Sydell and Arnold Miller’s philosophy of being a student throughout life’s journey. Awarded annually, each scholarship will fund up to $5,000 toward an advanced educational program at a beauty school, advanced academy or manufacturer’s academy program.
The scholarships funded by the Sydell & Arnold Miller Family Foundation will open October 1, 2017. Additional information on the Sydell & Arnold Miller Family Foundation Scholarships, including how to apply, will be available on the Beauty Changes Lives website in May 2017. The competition window closes on January 31, 2018, and the inaugural winners will be announced during Cosmetologists Chicago/America’s Beauty Show 2018. A judging panel comprised of prominent hairdressers, industry personalities and a member of the Miller family will select winners.
Philanthropy is a longstanding tradition for the Millers, whose generosity supported the construction of the Sydell and Arnold Miller Family Pavilion housing the number one ranked Cleveland Clinic Heart and Vascular Center. "We are incredibly touched by the generosity of the Sydell & Arnold Miller Foundation,” says Lynelle Lynch, President and Founding Member of the Beauty Changes Lives Foundation. “Their passion, vision and philanthropic spirit evoke the very best of an amazing industry and we are humbled to accept this generous gift.”
About: With a mission to elevate, educate and empower, Beauty Changes Lives is uniting the industry and building awareness of the extraordinary career opportunities in the beauty, wellness and massage therapy industries. Learn more at www.beautychangeslives.org or find them on Facebook.