GOLDSBORO, NC – Cosmetology students at Wayne Community College have been selected to receive scholarships totaling $25,000 from the Cécred x BeyGOOD Fund, a joint initiative between hair care brand Cécred and charitable foundation BeyGOOD, both founded by Grammy-winning artist Beyoncé Knowles-Carter.
Civella Beauty Academy in Goldsboro, where WCC students attend cosmetology classes, was chosen as one of only five educational institutions nationwide to participate in the prestigious scholarship program.
The funding will support students enrolled in WCC’s Cosmetology program as well as high school students taking the college’s Natural Hair Care Specialist course. According to Sheena Morning, owner of Civella Beauty Academy, the scholarship covers comprehensive educational expenses including tuition, registration fees, examination costs, and licensure requirements.
“With the exception of the new students who started this August, all of our currently enrolled students are awarded,” Morning said. “All of the students’ tuition is paid for through their graduation period up to 2026.”
The scholarship program also includes retroactive benefits, with cosmetology graduates who were enrolled when the award was announced eligible for tuition reimbursement for previously paid expenses.
Morning successfully navigated a competitive application process that included meeting with program managers and the BeyGOOD team. She provided a virtual tour of the academy and participated in extensive interviews before being selected as a funding recipient.
The five institutions were chosen based on rigorous criteria including financial need, community impact, curriculum inclusivity, student support systems, and academic performance. The other selected schools are located in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Detroit, and Washington, D.C.
Beyond financial support, Civella Beauty Academy received a substantial donation of Cécred hair care products. The academy, which already provides discounted beauty services to the public, has introduced a luxury “Cécred experience” to its service menu.
Representatives from the Cécred education team and BeyGOOD foundation traveled from Los Angeles to Goldsboro to provide hands-on training to academy staff and students on proper product usage and application techniques.
“It exposes our students to high-quality brand products,” Morning explained, emphasizing the educational value of working with premium beauty industry materials.
Wayne Community College’s Cosmetology program operates under the college’s Workforce Continuing Education Services division. The program ensures students receive appropriate training and the required contact hours necessary to meet licensure requirements established by the North Carolina Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners.
The scholarship represents a significant investment in the future of beauty industry professionals in eastern North Carolina, providing students with both financial support and exposure to high-end products and techniques that will enhance their career prospects upon graduation.
