Hair care CEO Shami: 'Giving back is the art of transforming lives'

Reflecting on his more than 35 years of participating in community service, Houston-headquartered Farouk Systems head Farouk Shami considered it “the art of transforming lives,” according to a press release issued by the haircare company. The release said Shami is slated to be honored by Duarte, California-based private, nonprofit healthcare entity City of Hope at its Spirit of Life Celebration on July 10.

"Giving back is the art of transforming lives and creating a ripple effect of positive change in our world," Shami said in the release. "It's a powerful force that ignites hope, uplifts communities and shapes a brighter future for generations to come.”

His namesake company said the City of Hope will bestow upon him its Spirit of Life Award, which is presented to those whose professional and humanitarian accomplishments are deemed worthy of celebration. Per the release, Shami and his business have donated millions of dollars and numerous resources toward COVID-19 relief and provided assistance in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks and many natural disasters in the U.S.

According to the Farouk Systems’ website, the company specializes in manufacturing high-quality professional hair care products under the CHI, BioSilk and SunGlitz brands.

“The company provides the beauty industry with the latest innovations to a wide range of markets through multiple successful product lines and the finest educational support to better serve hairdressers and their clients,” the website said.

The release said the Palestine-born Shami owns 61 total patents with 22 pending.

Among Shami’s creations, the release said, are the first ammonia-free hair color, the first ceramic flat iron and the first-to-market digital color laboratory, the LG CHI Color Master Factory. Per Farouk Systems, Shami was the first to apply National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) technology in developing professional styling tools and hair care. The Spirit of Life Celebration will be held at the Zouk Nightclub at Resorts World Las Vegas.