13. The Crown Act and Legal Battles Over Hair

The CROWN Act, first passed in California in 2019, represents a landmark step in combating hair discrimination by legally protecting the right to wear natural hair textures and protective styles in workplaces and schools.
For Black women, this legislation affirms the importance of self-expression and cultural identity, addressing long-standing biases that have impacted employment and educational opportunities. The act’s growing adoption across states marks progress toward equity and respect for Black beauty. To learn more about the CROWN Act and its significance, read about it here.