Did you know that Black women are 80% more likely to change their natural hair to meet social norms or expectations at work and are 1.5 times more likely to be sent home from the workplace because of their hair?* While many people experience discrimination based on their appearance, society’s bias has resulted in unfair judgment and discrimination against Black women based on hair texture and protective hairstyles, including braids, locs, and twists, that are inherent to their race. The CROWN Act is working to end hair discrimination.
The CROWN Act, which stands for “Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair,” is a law that prohibits race-based hair discrimination, which is the denial of employment and educational opportunities because of hair texture or protective hairstyles including braids, locs, twists or bantu knots.
Founded in 2019, The CROWN Coalition is the official national supporter of The CROWN Act movement, an alliance cofounded by Dove, National Urban League, Western Center on Law & Poverty and Color Of Change, with support from over 80 organizations. Their mission is to advance efforts to end hair discrimination and to create a more equitable and inclusive beauty experience for Black women and girls.
In the US, the laws in many states do not currently afford protection for race-based hair discrimination, even if the hairstyle is inherent to racial identity. That means Black women can be denied opportunities for employment or professional advancement without consequence and Black children can be denied entry to school or educational opportunities because of their natural hair.
The CROWN Act is enacting change. First introduced in California in January 2019 and signed into law on July 3, 2019, the inaugural CROWN Act expanded the definition of race in the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) and state Education Code, to ensure protection in workplaces and in K-12 public and charter schools. Since then, The CROWN Act has galvanized support from federal and state legislators in the movement to end hair discrimination nationwide.
To celebrate this historic day, please join us in celebrating the 2nd annual National CROWN Day on July 3rd, 2021! CROWN Day is a day to celebrate Black hair independence while sounding a national call to drive federal legislation that will ensure that Black people have the right to wear their natural hair however they choose.
CROWN Day 2021 is an exciting virtual experience through social engagement, authentic storytelling, and a series of activities to help us #PassTheCROWN. Events include a virtual community health and fitness workout, The First Annual CROWN Awards, and The CROWN After Party.
For more information or to sign the petition, visit https://www.thecrownact.com/.
*Dove 2019 CROWN Research Study
