Bill To End Hair Discrimination In The Workplace And Schools Passes Senate Vote In California

Sen. Holly J. Mitchell

The CROWN Coalition, a national alliance comprised of the National Urban League, Western Center on Law & Poverty, Color Of Change, and Dove, is proud to announce the bill they are sponsoring, Senate Bill 188 (The CROWN Act), passed the Senate floor today in California.

Introduced by Senator Holly J. Mitchell, SB 188 aims to "Create a Respectful and Open Workplace for Natural Hair" (the CROWN Act) by clarifying that traits historically associated with race, such as hair texture and hairstyle, be protected from discrimination in the work place and in our K-12 public and charter schools.

"Many Black employees, including your staff, members, will tell you if given the chance that the struggle to maintain what society has deemed a 'professional image' while protecting the health and integrity of their hair remains a defining and paradoxical struggle in their work experience, not usually shared by their non-Black peers," said Senator Mitchell shortly before the Senate vote. "Members, it is 2019. Any law that sanctions a job description that immediately excludes me from a position, not because of my capabilities or experience but because of my hair, is long overdue for reform."

The C.R.O.W.N. (Creating a Respectful and Open Workplace for Natural hair) Act will ensure protection against discrimination in the workplace and schools based on hairstyles by prohibiting employers and schools from enforcing purportedly "race neutral" grooming policies that disproportionately impact persons of color. 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 will ensure 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.

"Dove has been committed to championing real beauty for women and girls for decades, and believes the individuality of all of our hair should be celebrated," said Esi Eggleston Bracey, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of North America Beauty and Personal Care at Unilever. "As a proud member of the CROWN Coalition, we're overjoyed to see that the California Senate passed SB 188, and look forward to continuing to drive equity and fairness for all women and men, particularly around hair inclusivity."

The CROWN Act corrects an inconsistency in existing anti-discrimination laws by amending the California Government and Education Codes to protect against discrimination based on traits historically associated with race such as hair texture and protective hairstyles. The Coalition, in support of The CROWN Act, aims to put an end to the significant injustices of hair discrimination that has spanned decades across the United States.

The CROWN Coalition

The CROWN Coalition is a national alliance comprised of the National Urban League, Western Center on Law & Poverty, Color Of Change, and Dove as sponsors of Senate Bill 188 'The Crown Act'. The CROWN Coalition members believe diversity and inclusion are key drivers of success across all industries and sectors.

For more information on SB 188 'The CROWN Act' click here to see the legislation.

CONTACT:
Motunrayo Tosin-Oni
Motunrayo.tosin-oni@sen.ca.gov
Office of Senator Holly J. Mitchell
Marcy Polanco, JOY Collective

Pushout: The Criminalization of Black Girls in Schools by Monique W. Morris

Fifteen-year-old Diamond stopped going to school the day she was expelled for lashing out at peers who constantly harassed and teased her for something everyone on the staff had missed: she was being trafficked for sex. After months on the run, she was arrested and sent to a detention center for violating a court order to attend school.

Just 16 percent of female students, Black girls make up more than one-third of all girls with a school-related arrest. The first trade book to tell these untold stories, Pushout exposes a world of confined potential and supports the growing movement to address the policies, practices, and cultural illiteracy that push countless students out of school and into unhealthy, unstable, and often unsafe futures.

For four years Monique W. Morris, author of Black Stats, chronicled the experiences of black girls across the country whose intricate lives are misunderstood, highly judged—by teachers, administrators, and the justice system—and degraded by the very institutions charged with helping them flourish. Morris shows how, despite obstacles, stigmas, stereotypes, and despair, black girls still find ways to breathe remarkable dignity into their lives in classrooms, juvenile facilities, and beyond.

Monique W. Morris is the co-founder of the National Black Women’s Justice Institute and writes a monthly column on black women and girls for Ebony.com. She is the author of Black Stats (The New Press) and lives in Oakland, CA with her husband and two daughters.

CHECK OUT THE BOOK

Why Black Teens May Feel Pulled Between Health and Hair

Cultural pressure surrounding hair is so powerful that some African-American adolescents say they avoid sweating because it could mess up their tresses.

Gym class, school sports and other exercise routines bring important health benefits. But sweating also means potentially bad hair days and ruining time-consuming and costly hairstyles.

So Woolford, a pediatrician at the University of Michigan’s C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital and Child Health Evaluation and Research Unit, along with her sister Carole Woolford-Hunt, Ph.D., of Andrews University in Michigan, and David Williams, Ph.D., of Harvard University, studied this cultural phenomenon. The researchers asked: Are lower levels of physical activity among African-American teens related to hair care?

The small study, which was recently published in BMC Obesity, included 36 African-American girls ages 14 to 17 in three states. The authors found a consistent theme among participants: Adolescent girls preferred straightened hair, which was viewed as the most “attractive” style, and said they avoided getting wet or sweating during exercise because they worried it would ruin their hairstyle.

Four main themes emerged from the study:

When concerns about hairstyles began between ages 8 and 15, participants changed from “juvenile” (natural) styles to “adult” (straightened) styles.

Participants avoided getting wet or sweating during exercise because their straightened hair became “nappy.”

Braids with extensions and natural styles were viewed as better for exercise, but not viewed as attractive.

Participants almost universally selected long, straight hairstyles as most attractive. Some thought short, natural hair was OK but that it “only looks good on some people.”

Read more about the study here: Why Black Teens May Feel Pulled Between Health and Hair

Barbie® Unveils One-of-a-Kind Doll Honoring Gabby Douglas

(Black PR Wire) EL SEGUNDO, Calif., - Barbie® honors Gabby Douglas, U.S. Women’s Artistic and Olympic Gold Gymnast (2012 London), by unveiling a one-of-a-kind doll in her likeness to remind girls they can be anything.

The 20-year-old athlete is a force to be reckoned with as she heads to Rio to defend her title. At just 16, Douglas was the first woman of color to win the individual all-around competition for gymnastics. Her confidence, work ethic and belief in herself make her an extraordinary role model to girls.

Named the next Barbie “Shero” honoree, a female hero inspiring girls by breaking boundaries and expanding possibilities for women everywhere, Douglas joins an esteemed group of women including Misty Copeland, Ava DuVernay, Emmy Rossum, Eva Chen, Trisha Yearwood and Zendaya, all who have also received the highest honor from the Barbie brand – being immortalized in plastic.

“I love a challenge. I love to push limits and I love that my very own Barbie celebrates me for being a role model to girls,” said Douglas. “Being honored as a Barbie Shero further motivates me to inspire girls by being the best I can be.”

The fashions for the doll were inspired by Douglas’ own signature GK leotard line that she wears while training hard in the gym. Dressed in a red, white and blue Gabby GK Elite leotard, the doll comes complete with a Nike warm-up suit. The doll is fully articulated, allowing her to do almost all of the moves Gabby performs.

“Playing with Barbie allows girls to imagine everything they can become," said Lisa McKnight, General Manager and Senior Vice President, Barbie. "While imagining you can be anything is the first step, seeing that you can is what makes all the difference. Role models like Gabby Douglas show girls that with determination and perseverance their potential is limitless.”

Check out the grassroots organization Black Girls Vote

Black Girls Vote (BGV) is a grassroots organization that seeks to uplift the Black community by educating and inspiring voting age Black women to understand the public policy decisions affecting their families and communities. The organizations goal is to empower Black women to change policy through the electoral process

Vision

To improve the lives of Black Women one vote at a time.

Mission

To inspire a community of women to use the democratic process to address issues that impact Black women.

Goals

To close the opportunity gap focusing on family, community and country and lending our collective voice to policies that support BGV, Inc. vision, mission and strategic goals to:

Advance education

Advance economic development; and,

Advance quality health care while improving outcomes

Learn more, get involved, and donate to Black Girls Vote here: http://www.blackgirlsvote.com/

Black Congresswomen form Congressional Caucus on Black Women and Girls.

Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ)

Today, Congresswomen Robin Kelly (IL-02), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) and Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09), announced the creation of the Congressional Caucus on Black Women and Girls, the first caucus devoted to public policy that eliminates the significant barriers and disparities experienced by Black women.

Despite more than 430 registered congressional caucuses and Member organizations, no group on Capitol Hill has sought to make Black women and girls a priority in the policy debates that occur here. The Congressional Caucus on Black Women and Girls will fill that gap, and provide the same attention for women that President Obama’s My Brother’s Keeper initiative has given to Black men and boys.

Read more: Reps. Kelly, Watson Coleman, Clarke Announce Congressional Caucus on Black Women and Girls

The Black Doll Affair self-esteem movement

Aiming to change the way black girls are perceived and perceive themselves, with support from a few big names when it launches in 24 states across America and delivers thousands of free Barbie dolls in various cities, The Black Doll Affair’s message will go into overdrive on December 5th.

Lead by Taye Diggs’ kid sister, ShalomIsrael Diggs, on Saturday, December 5th, 2015 at 1:00 pm in 24 states across America, 36 Black Doll Affair Ambassadolls (city and state representatives for The Black Doll Affair) and hundreds of living Dolls (women of all nationalities, primarily black) will deliver a message of self-esteem! That moment in time will mark The Black Doll Affair’s largest black doll delivery ever! Since 2007, supported by their members, fans and corporate sponsors like Macy’s and Mattel, The Black Doll Affair has donated thousands of toy black dolls to little girls across the country and, earlier this year, thirty new Ambassadolls came on board to help this Christmas.

The Black Doll Affair (BDA) announced that it recently named ShalomIsrael as an Honorary Black Doll, appointed her as their Ambassadoll for Harlem, NY and placed her at the helm of its annual national Black Doll Affair Christmas Doll Deliveries in Atlanta - a unique event where living Dolls come to life to deliver donated dolls and a message rooted in self-esteem and love for the doll in the mirror. This year’s Black Doll Affair Christmas Deliveries will occur December 5th at 1:00PM in all time zones. The benefactors of The Black Doll Affair’s gifts have already been chosen by the Ambassadolls. However, in Atlanta at Macy's Greenbriar Mall, beginning at 3:00 PM, on a first come basis, ShalomIsrael and The Black Doll Affair will host a public self-esteem Christmas party and doll giveaway.

"Becoming an Honorary Black Doll has been such a wonderful opportunity. I've had the privilege of meeting amazing women, collaborating with local organizations in Harlem and bringing about self-awareness to myself and others. December 5th marks a very special day. So that I can learn from the Doll that started it all (Dana Hill, BDA Founder) as a new Ambassadoll and take what I learn into Harlem, I am being flown to The Black Doll Affair’s headquarters for its Christmas deliveries at Macy’s Greenbriar Mall. I’m excited to help continue to spread a message of hope, beauty and high self-esteem for black girls,” said ShalomIsrael.

With his book "Chocolate Me" (co-collaborated with his childhood friend Shane Evans) as the official children's book of the BDA and as an Honorary Black Doll Brotha (literally and figuratively speaking, Brothas are what men are called in the BDA), Taye had this to say about his sister joining him in the movement: "I'm proud to know that my sister is aligning herself with the highly esteemed and relevant Black Dolls. The service this organization provides in today's current racial climate is both necessary and appreciated. Knowing ShalomIsrael's enthusiasm and commitment in matters such as these, the possibilities are very exciting! I’m wishing this collaboration good luck, onward and upwards!"

For more information, to get the latest news on Atlanta’s Doll Deliveries and a complete list of doll deliveries around the country, visit blackdollaffair.com. Follow The Black Doll Affair Christmas doll deliveries via our Facebook page at: Facebook.com/theblackdollaffair

About The Black Doll Affair

Founded in 2007, The Black Doll Affair was created as a solution to doll tests that revealed that black children prefer white dolls and view black dolls asugly and bad. Diversity partners with Macy’s, Inc., and Mattel, Inc., The Black Doll Affair [BDA] is a social organization and self-esteem movement driven by its primary members, The Black Dolls. Secondary members are the Black Doll’s Porcelain Pals (non-black members) and Brothas (male supporters). The Black Doll Affair has grown into 24 states across America and Washington, DC. The Black Dolls range in shade and shape. Eighteen years and older, from college students to grandmothers, career women to ladies of leisure, they are women that band together to tackle the black girls issues with shadeism, self hatred and low self-esteem. To deliver their message of internal and external beauty, they donate toy black dolls to toddlers, host self-esteem summitsfor teens and produce special events that promote and uplift black women. For fun, the Dolls, their Porcelain Pals and Brothas, enjoy each other at social play dates. To express the importance of community service, annually they donate hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars to philanthropic causes that affect all races. These are the Affairs of The Black Dolls. For more information log onto blackdollaffair.com

Media Contact

Black Doll Affair Publicity

404-590-3655

***@blackdollaffair.com