Dove — along with the Crown Coalition – aims to end hair discrimination. The Crown Coalition is a national alliance comprised of Dove, the National Urban League, Western Center on Law & Poverty and Color Of Change.

Marking a major milestone, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed The Crown Act (SB188) into law on July 3rd, 2019 — and this makes California the first state to ban hair discrimination in work and school.

“Dove is proud to be a part of changing the narrative for Black women and girls and anyone with textured hair, and we are excited to stand with The CROWN Coalition and Senator Holly J. Mitchell to make a tangible impact in the state of California,” said Esi Eggleston Bracey, executive vice president and chief operating officer of North America Beauty and Personal Care at Unilever. 

Bracey adds, “We are overjoyed to see Governor Newsom sign The CROWN Act into law today and are looking forward to continuing to drive legislative change in other states in the months to come.”

Senator Holly J. Mitchell comments, “The Crown Act is redefining the cultural norms of ‘professional images’ for all people.”

The Crown Act will prohibit employers and schools from enforcing purportedly “race neutral” grooming policies restricting natural hairstyles. Additionally, while anti-discrimination laws presently protect the choice to wear an Afro, Afros are not the only natural presentation of Black hair.

SB 188 ensures protection against discrimination based on hairstyles by extending statutory protection to hair texture and protective styles in the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) and the California Education Code. Senator Mitchell introduced the bill and garnered the support that ushered it through the California Senate in April 2019 and the California Assembly in June 2019.  

Join the movement that’s creating real change and aiding in the efforts to ensure Black men, women and children feel confident in expressing themselves. 

Sign the petition here — and learn how to get involved in bringing anti-hair discrimination legislation to your state.