KANSAS CITY, MO (KCTV) – July 3 is National CROWN Act Day, and Charley's Kitchen Cabinets (Charley's KC) is celebrating this historic day. The CROWN Act (Building a Respectful and Inclusive World for Natural Hair) was enacted to address microaggressions, and sometimes discriminatory behavior, against the natural hair of Black people and other people of color.
Shirley's KC successfully led the passage of the CROWN Act in Kansas City, Missouri, Lawrence, Kansas, Atchison, Kansas, and Wichita, Kansas, which ensures that individuals are free to embrace their natural hair and cultural hairstyles without facing prejudice or discriminatory practices in schools, workplaces, and public spaces.
Read also: Lawrence is the first city in Kansas to protect its residents from hair discrimination.
“Without the protections of the CROWN Act, people in our communities will continue to suffer deep-rooted, systemic discrimination.”
The impact of the CROWN Act goes beyond any one community. It includes workplace policies, improved employee morale, increased productivity, reduced turnover, and more. This legislation is essential to dismantling systemic racism and promoting cultural inclusion.
“People are unfairly judged and turned away from jobs, schools, and even employment opportunities because of their hair texture. This discrimination not only impacts self-esteem and mental health, but also has broader implications for economic development and workforce expansion,” Whatley said. “By ensuring everyone is treated with respect and dignity, regardless of their hair texture or style, we can foster more inclusive and equitable communities.”
Previous ReportsMissouri House gives tentative approval to anti-discrimination bill “CROWN”
Charlize KC calls on lawmakers, community leaders, and allies to continue supporting the CROWN Act and work toward its passage at the state level in Kansas and Missouri.
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