LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Mayor Greg Fischer signed the CROWN Act Thursday, banning discrimination against a person based on their natural hair or hairstyles in Louisville. The acronym stands for Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair.
What You Need To Know
- Mayor Fischer signed the CROWN Act Thursday morning
- The act bans discrimination against a person based on their natural hair or hairstyles
- It also protects residents from unwanted touching
- According to the CROWN Research Study by Dove, conducted in 2019, Black women's hair is 3.4x more likely to be perceived as unprofessional
“Communities that embrace culture and diversity are strong communities,” said Fischer. “I hope this measure educates our community about the connection between hair and identity that has long been a part of Black culture, and the need to respect and protect the freedom to freely express oneself through hair style.”
It is now illegal to discriminate based on natural hair or hairstyles including natural texture and color, as well as braids, locks, twists and coverings related to a person's national origin. It also protects residents from unwanted touching, including touching of the hair.
At the signing, members of the Real Young Prodigy's youth music group, which advocated for the ordinance, performed their official song "CROWN."
“We hope that people understand the importance of the youth voice and advocacy and how effective it is to use their language such as Hip Hop to help create awareness and change,” said Director of the Real Young Prodigy’s Antonio Taylor. “We will continue to fight for the Crown Act to be passed statewide and on the federal level until every person has the freedom to wear their hair as they so choose with the law protecting their right to do so.”
According to the CROWN Research Study by Dove, conducted in 2019, Black women's hair is 3.4x more likely to be perceived as unprofessional. The ordinance "strives to dismantle those biases in the workplace and schools," said a release from the mayor's office.
“The CROWN Act was first passed by the California legislator back in 2019 as a result of ongoing biased discrimination towards natural hair, adornments and coverings,” said Councilwoman Keisha Dorsey, D-District 3. “Hair texture is one of many distinguishing factors of one’s race while various coverings and adornments are reflection of one’s culture. I am proud of this community’s unapologetic pursuit of justice, freedom, equity and excellence. The protection now extended to ones CROWN is major win for the entire community. Keep going!”
Last October, Covington was the first city in Kentucky to ban hair discrimination with its own CROWN Act.