Palestinian American, Dr. Farouk Shami arrived in the U.S. in 1965 to become an inventor, educator and entrepreneur. In 1986 he invented the first ammonia-free hair care system, securing his first patent. He founded Farouk Systems, Inc., an environmentally responsible company that manufactures CHI and BioSilk hair and skin products, exporting to more than 150 countries worldwide.
With attention to the health and safety of hairdressers and their clients, Shami collaborated with NASA scientists to produce ceramic thermal tools, hairdryers with low electromagnetic fields and a line of hair care tools that features nano silver. In partnership with LG Electronics, Shami is developing a new technology that takes the guesswork out of hair coloring. He holds 14 U.S. patents and 10 international patents and has 23 more pending.
Shami has lectured at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government Latino Leadership Initiative, as well as the University of Texas and the University of Houston. He has delivered commencement speeches at the University of Houston Downtown, Sam Houston State University, North American College and the American Friends School. His outstanding achievements and invaluable contributions to the academic and cultural development of the world-wide beauty industry earned him an honorary Doctorate of Beauty Art from the Council of Graduate Schools at Seo Kyeong University. He connected Seo Kyeong University with the University of Jerusalem where a new department for Beauty Art will begin this spring. Shami starred on Celebrity Apprentice and has judged Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants.
In memory of his late father, Sheik Mohammed Shami, Shami founded a school specializing in science and technology to educate young Palestinian women. In honor of his late brother, Dr. Jamil Shami, Shami has established scholarship funds for gifted Palestinian students in financial need. He has made contributions to Beir Zeit University’s School of Business and the American Friends School in Ramallah. He partnered with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to put street lights in his hometown village of Beit Ur al Tahta.
Shami’s board appointments include the National Defense University Foundation, the Greater Houston Partnership, Houston’s Better Business Bureau, the American Task Force on Palestine and the American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee. He is the recipient of numerous awards: Legend Award from the International Salon/Spa Business Network; Beauty Maker Award; Arrival Award from the University of Houston Law Center; Entrepreneur of the Year from Newt Gingrich; Apollo Award for being Green; Ameristar Award; Businessman of the Year from the American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, the Arab-American Cultural and Community Center and the American Task Force on Palestine. He has also been honored by St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the American Heart Association.
The Shami family has enjoyed a lifelong relationship with the Leonard family since 1955. Farouk and his family shared a home with Dr. Graham Leonard in Ramallah. Dr Leonard was the Pastor of the Friends Quaker Meeting and a teacher of History at the Friends Girl School, Ramallah. His home was across the street of the Friends Boy School making it easy for Farouk and his brother, Jamil, to attend school. During these years of shared meals and experiences the families bonded and are very close to this day.