Beyonce Opens Cosmetology School in Brooklyn Rehab Center

On Friday (March 5) Beyoncé appeared with her mother Tina Knowles at the Phoenix House substance abuse center in Brooklyn, New York, where the two finally unveiled their longtime plan to open a cosmetology center.

Mayor Bloomberg was on hand for the ceremony, as the singer and her mother described the details of their new "seven-month cosmetology training course for adult men and women." Beyoncé, who grew up watching her mother operate a salon in Houston, Texas said it was something she felt would benefit women who were enrolled in the addiction recovery program. "I felt like they needed something that was geared towards women -- something that would teach them skills that would give them hope even after the Phoenix House," she said.

The singer made her first visit to the Phoenix House back in 2007 while conducting research for her role as Etta James in the film 'Cadillac Records.' She explained that she admired the strength of the patients -- especially the women -- who had "chosen to get better," and cited her positive experiences in her mother's salon as motivation for opening the cosmetology school. "I saw that a salon was a place for women to socialize, share stories, cry, laugh and get advice," Beyoncé said. "Most importantly, I saw the joy it brought my mother, knowing she was a part of their transformation."

All products for the Beyoncé Cosmetology Center of the Phoenix House Career Center Academy will be donated by L'Oréal, while Beyoncé and her mother Tina Knowles will donate $100, 000 annually to support the school. During the emotional launch ceremony, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz officially dubbed Mrs. Carter a "Brooklynite by marriage," and by "moxie." Jay-Z must be very proud.