FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DOVE AND THE CROWN COALITION CONGRATULATE THE STATE OF NEVADA FOR PASSING THE CROWN ACT, MAKING IT THE TWELFTH STATE TO BAN HAIR DISCRIMINATION
GOVERNOR STEVE SISOLAK SIGNED THE BILL INTO LAW ON JUNE 4, 2021
#THECROWNACT
ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, NJ – JUNE 11, 2020 -- The CROWN Coalition, an alliance founded by Dove, National Urban League, Western Center on Law & Poverty and Color Of Change, and the official founders of The CROWN Act movement, are excited to add the state of Nevada as the latest state to enact The CROWN Act. Nevada is now the twelfth state to pass legislation (Senate Bill 327) banning race-based hair discrimination. Introduced by State Senators Dina Neal (D) and Dallas Harris (D), SB327 expands the definition of race to include traits associated with race such as “protective hairstyles.” Protective hairstyles shall include but are not limited to natural hairstyles, braids, locs, and twists.
On April 19, 2021, the bill passed in the Nevada Senate with a 20-1 vote and passed in the Assembly on May 21, 2021, with a 33-8 vote. Governor Steve Sisolak signed the bill on June 4, 2021. SB327, known as The CROWN Act, will revise Nevada’s provisions governing the policy for all school districts and schools in this State to provide a safe and respectful learning environment, and the Nevada Equal Rights Commission to investigate certain acts of prejudice against a person with regard to employment.
“The CROWN Act was a huge deal for me this session,” states Senator Dina Neal. “I used this bill to set the standard for policy across the state that hair discrimination entitles women of color to a right to redress legal claims based on hair type.”
Nevada joins California, New York, New Jersey, Virginia, Colorado, Washington, Maryland, Delaware, Connecticut, New Mexico, and Nebraska, as states that have passed legislation protecting Black and Brown people from hair discrimination in school and the workplace. So far, twelve states have made The CROWN Act or legislation inspired by The CROWN Act, law. A federal bill was reintroduced in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate in March of 2021.
“We are thrilled that Nevada has joined the nationwide movement to end race-based hair discrimination through The CROWN Act,” said Esi Eggleston Bracey, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of North America Beauty and Personal Care at Unilever. “The Dove team and the CROWN Coalition are proud to champion this important movement, and we will continue to commit our resources and platforms to advance legislation until The CROWN Act is law in all fifty states and at a federal level.”
Help #PASSTHECROWN. Join The CROWN Act movement, working to pass this important legislation nationwide, by signing the petition at www.TheCROWNAct.com.
About The CROWN Coalition
The CROWN Coalition is a national alliance founded by Dove, National Urban League, Color Of Change, and Western Center on Law & Poverty to end race-based hair discrimination in America. The Coalition, now consisting of more than 80 supporting organizations, is the founder of the CROWN Act movement and was the official sponsor of the inaugural CROWN Act legislation in California in 2019. For a full list of CROWN Coalition members, visit www.thecrownact.com.
The CROWN Coalition is proud to have supported anti-hair discrimination legislation in California, New York, New Jersey, Virginia, Colorado, Washington, Maryland, Connecticut, Delaware, and Nevada. The bills address unfair grooming policies that have a disparate impact on Black women, men, and children and has drawn attention to cultural and racial discrimination taking place within workplaces and public schools. The CROWN Coalition members believe diversity and inclusion are key drivers of success across all industries and sectors.
###
SAVE THE DATE, Saturday, July 3, 2021 is National CROWN Day!
Contacts:
Marcy Polanco
202.885.5527
Shemika Harmitt
Shemika@joycollective.com
202.885.5527