People impacted by hair discrimination are encouraged to share their stories at micrownact.com
LANSING, Mich. (May 23, 2023) – Today, the Michigan Senate voted 33-5—with significant bipartisan support—to pass Sen. Sarah Anthony’s (D-Lansing) Senate Bill 90, also known as the CROWN (Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair) Act. Sen. Anthony’s bill will protect Michigan residents from discrimination in the workplace based on wearing their natural hair. The legislation now moves to the House for consideration.
“I am pleased to announce that the CROWN Act has passed in the Michigan Senate,” said Sen. Anthony. “Since I first introduced the CROWN Act in 2019, I have heard countless heartbreaking stories from people who have faced repercussions in the workplace or at school because of the way they wear their hair. Today’s vote sends a clear message: Hair discrimination has no place in the State of Michigan.
An overwhelming percentage of employees of color in the workplace feel their success or reputation is negatively impacted when they elect to style their natural hair texture or wear protective styles such as braids, locks, twists, and knots. This systemic discrimination based on one’s hairstyle has no place in Michigan, which is why adopting the CROWN Act is a necessary step to take towards breaking down these invisible barriers to success.
“For the Black diaspora here in America, the CROWN Act is necessary, because for us, the issues around what comes out of one’s follicles and what one does with them are not inseparable,” said Sen. Erika Geiss (D-Taylor), Chairperson of the Michigan Legislative Black Caucus. “Hair-based discrimination is among the forms of structural racism that many Black people have faced. Only recently have we acknowledged racism as a public health crisis and simultaneously we’ve turned keen attention towards improving mental health. That we took this vote during Mental Health Awareness Month is significant because the CROWN Act is not only a matter of racial justice, it’s a matter of protecting and preserving Black mental health. Let this vote today be the next step in making Senate Bill 90 among our crowning achievements.”
Earlier this year, Sen. Anthony was joined by other Senators and Representatives, including members of the Michigan Legislative Black Caucus, as well as impacted individuals for a press conference to discuss the importance of this legislation. A few weeks ago, Sen. Anthony, Adjoa B. Asamoah from ABA Consulting and the creator of the CROWN Act, Steve Japinga from the Lansing Regional Chamber, and Gabrielle Dresner from ACLU Michigan spoke in support of the bill at a hearing of the Senate Civil Rights, Judiciary and Public Safety Committee. More than 100 individuals and organizations also submitted cards of support on the bill in committee on May 4.
“Embracing natural hair is not a political statement or a trend, but an essential part of affirming the humanity and dignity of all individuals,” said Sen. Sylvia Santana (D-Detroit). “With our collective effort to dismantle entrenched biases, challenge discriminatory policies, and create inclusive spaces—including today’s vote—we move closer to building a society that values and respects the inherent beauty of every individual, regardless of their hair texture or cultural background.”
“For years, Michigan’s Black community has told us that addressing hair discrimination is an essential step in making sure that Michigan law reflects the values of our state” Sen. Anthony said. “Our job as lawmakers is to lift the voices of the often unheard in the halls of power and this bill does just that. I urge my colleagues in the Michigan House of Representatives to support this legislation so we can deliver this bill to the governor’s desk and make the CROWN Act law in our state.”
Sen. Anthony has also launched a website, micrownact.com, to provide additional information and collect stories of people who have been impacted by hair discrimination.
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