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Frances Simmons-Ellis, Illinois Beauty & Barber Coalition (IBBC) President

Experience

1988: Attended John Amico School of Designs, Downtown Chicago, IL (Completed)

1993-2003:  She began her one woman “Wrapbraids” show style perfection look.
1997: Roundtable discussion with Vitale Hair Products Company to help create natural hair products

1998: Attended the International Academy Of Designs- Chicago, IL

1999 Received Chicago Public Schools Vendors #
1999: Developed WB Traction Alopecia Prevention workshops for Chicago Public Schools (CPS)

2000: Produced the #1 Braid Video: Wrapbraids VHS Technique Video
2002: Founder of A Better Tomorrow for Today’s Teens (ABT) 501 (c)3 org.
2003: Systematic Proper Procedure (SPP)
2004: Received contract from CPS for braid workshop
2004: SPP Wrapbraids Workshops Pivot Point Academy Schools Chicago, IL
2007: Became the author of Wrapbraids…The Formula to Success manual

2007-2015: Partnered with Youth Guidance inside CPS – ABT Youth Development Program (YDP)

2009-2014: Partnered with After School Matters – YDP Hair Expression Career Training CPS Students
2010: Became a member of the Illinois Association of Hair Braiders; Pioneered with other experts to create the curriculum for Illinois-Hair Braiders License (IHBL)

2011: IDFPR Received Hair Braiding Teacher’s License
2011: Became member of Chicago’s Inventors
2013: Board member IL chapter, National Beauty Culturist’s League

2014 VP of the Natural Hair Professionals (NHP)
2014: Owner, WB Natural Hair Institute
2014: Incorporated WB Natural Hair Institute, PC
2015: Opened ABT Youth Employment Facility; Young And Ready Project YARP Pre-Apprentice Program
2016: First Apprenticeship WB Natural Hair Therapy Salon
2016: Pioneer/Organizer for Illinois Beauty Coalition of Professionals (IBCP)-Illinois
2017: YARP first Pre-Apprentice Program One of the highlights- Braid Technician Analyst (BTA) training

2017: ABT was Awarded Dept. of Planning and Development | City of Chicago TIFWorks Grant, for their YARP Beauty & Construction Train For Hire Curriculum

2018: Received Master of Professional Cosmetology (MPC) at the National Institute of Cosmetology; Washington, DC

2019: Received NPI Prosthetics Case Management; P2P Certification & Training Institute, Birmingham, AL

2020: Received Copyrights & Trademark “So You Think You Can Braid” United States Patent and Trademark Office

2022: President/Founder & Organized beginning stages for the Illinois Beauty and Barber Coalition (IBBC) Illinois membership recruitment Summer of 2023

2022: Received Trichology Certification, P2P Certification & Training Institute, Birmingham, AL

2022: Became a Board Certified Holistic Health Practitioner; (Member) American Association of Drugless Practitioners (AADP)

2023: Frances Simmons Ellis, LLC; Business Incubator-Chicago IL

Industry Affiliations:

2005: Frances created self-esteem curriculum for youth and adults through hair expression Chicago Public School (CPS)
2007: Health Hair Initiative Movement; creating forum to educate the public about Traction Alopecia (TA) premature hair loss
2009/10: A presenter at Mayor Daley’s book club conference-Chicago, IL
2009: WGN News Micah Materre as ” Chicago’s Very Own
2009: Chicago Tribune Dawn Trice; writes article “STYLIST DOES WONDERS FOR GIRLS’ SELF- ESTEEM”
2011: Dawn Trice writes article “New Law Woven for Hair Braiders”
2013-Present: Volunteer Advisor MetroSalonPro Natural Hair Fest Chicago
2013-14: Natural Hair Panelist at the Proud Lady Beauty Show-Tinley Park Convention
2014: Dawn Trice writes article “hairstyles reshape notions of beauty”
2015: Received the “Marion N’ Zingo Stamps” Black Heritage Community Activist Award
2015: YARP Pre-Apprentice Program; Intro: West Humboldt Park Asst., Chicago Ave. Corridors

2018: Became Soror-THETA NU SIGMA; The Division of The National Beauty Culturist’ League, Washington, DC

2019: Received The AIDA GIBSIN TFC Image & Modeling- Outstanding Community Service and Leadership Award
2020: Received African American Contractor’s Association (AACA) Outstanding Education & Training of the Year Award

2021: Frances Simmons-Ellis Production/Host Hair Gossip Studio- Chicago IL

2024: Illinois Beauty & Barber Coalition, Galewood, IL 60639