28 March 2024

City of Hope honors Farouk Shami

City of Hope, an international non-profit organization dedicated to cancer research and treatment, will honor Dr. Farouk Shami, at its upcoming fundraising gala Spirit of Life Celebration presented by the National Beauty Industry.

This year City of Hope announces the return of our Spirit of Life Celebration at Cosmoprof, Las Vegas. The return of this gala event will celebrate an industry titan, Dr. Farouk Shami, Chairman and Founder, Farouk Systems. The gala’s main goal is to raise funds for the City of Hope, a National Cancer Institute designated as a comprehensive cancer center for cancer, diabetes, and other life-threatening diseases.

For over 35 years, The Spirit of Life Award has been presented to individuals who exemplify the ideals and values that have guided City of Hope for over a century, compassion, service, integrity, curiosity, excellence and collaboration. The award is intended to honor an outstanding leader for his or her contribution to business and community. It recognizes an individual for their worthy efforts in uniting the industry as a whole. Moreover, this common effort should be to eradicate cancer alongside City of Hope. Indeed, Dr. Farouk Shami, this year’s Spirit of Life Award honoree, well deserves such recognition.

Dr. Farouk Shami – a man of the world

From immigrant to outstanding business leader

Farouk Shami immigrated to the United States from Palestine with only $71.00 in his pocket and plenty of determination to succeed. Having earned his cosmetology license in 1966, he began working in a salon. This would be humble beginnings of a career that would eventually impact the entire professional hair industry and the world. But in 1978 he was forced to leave a career he loved due to health issued caused by an allergic reaction to the ammonia found in hair color.

So after this “false start”, Farouk Shami turned his career around, determined to help other hairdressers with his same problem. After many tests and trials, a revolutionary “ammonia-free” hair color arrived on the market: Sunglitz. His passion and perseverance drove him to develop a safer product not only for hairdressers, but for their clients as well.

Then in 1986, he decided to found Farouk Systems, Inc. After having built enormous success with Sunglitz®, he was able to create more innovative products and tools under the BioSilk and CHI lines. Dr. Shami’s businesses now count more than 2,500 employees and product distribution in over 144 countries worldwide.

Farouk Shami on the floor of his new manufacuturing facility for hair dryers and straitening irons at Farouk Systems in Houston, Friday, August 7, 2009. Farouk, a Palestinian-born hairdresser who built a $1 billion manufacturing company in Houston around the ÂìChi,Âî a tool for straightening hair, is moving all of his production of hand-held appliances from Asia back to the U.S. CREDIT: Michael Stravato for Wall Street Journal

More than overcoming daunting obstacles and achieving the success, Farouk Shami also represents the American Dream. He also continues to inspire others in a book he wrote about his growth and success entitled “American by Choice”.

Sharing his success

After having succeeded in making his own personal dream come true, Farouk Shami continues to grow in terms of his business as well as his own special brand of humanity.

While education and my background has positioned me into this role, I hold dedication and commitment to my employees and the future of the company a priority,” explains Dr. Shami. “My plans include building new partnerships, creating new Advanced American Technology, and growing the future of cosmetology students and schools.

Indeed, Dr. Shami has established scholarship programs, including the CHI Partner School Program. This program has provided scholarships to students pursuing careers in cosmetology as well as training and resources. The program also cover financial assistance and access to industry experts.

He also created the first CHI Lone Star College-North Harris School of Cosmetology to help provide professional development for instructors, CHI products for students, and expanded career opportunities for its graduates.

Moreover, Dr. Farouk Shami and Farouk Systems, Inc. have donated millions of dollars and resources to support various philanthropic causes. Just a few of them are mentioned below:

Philanthropy in Health Care

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Farouk Systems, Inc. donated $17.5 million worth of hand sanitizer and haircare products to:

  1. Community and non-profit organizations
  2. Schools
  3. Homeless shelters
  4. Frontline workers
    1. Healthcare professionals
    2. First responders
    3. Government agencies
  5. Food banks
Natural Disaster Relief Efforts

Dr. Shami has donated millions of dollars and haircare products to help with Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Harvey, and other natural disasters nationwide.

Environmental Causes & Relief Efforts

Farouk Systems, Inc. has developed eco-friendly haircare products that are vegan, sulfate-free, gluten-free, paraben-free, and safe for the environment.

Prime Waste Solutions recognized Farouk Systems, Inc. with the 2021 Sustainability Impact Award

Estetica congratulates Dr. Farouk Shami winning the prestigious Spirit of Life Award for his tireless dedication to improving the beauty industry and putting people first!

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