The Howard County Office of Human Rights & Equity will close out Black History Month exploring the ways African Americans have experienced discrimination not just because of their skin, but the texture and style of their hair. Hairstyles like braids, locks, and twists have kept many from earning employment opportunities or advancing in various leadership opportunities. In fact, in 2019 The CROWN Act was created by Dove and the CROWN Coalition in partnership with then State Senator Holly J. Mitchell of California. Part of their work included researching hair discrimination. They found that

"Black women are 50 percent more likely to be sent home from the workplace because of their hair, and 80 percent of Black women feel the need to change their hair from its natural state to fit in at the office."

On March 10, 2020 Maryland's legislature successfully passed House Bill 1444, a bill banning racial discrimination including for traits associated with hair texture and certain hairstyles. In Howard County it is illegal to discriminate against anyone based on their personal appearance. According to the Howard County Code of Ordinances

"personal appearance means outward appearance of a person with regard to hair style, facial hair, physical characteristics or manner of dress."

Join us on Thursday, February 24th at 12:00 p.m. for a lunch and learn discussion moderated by Yolanda F. Sonnier, Administrator of the Howard County Office of Human Rights and Equity. This virtual event will share the history of African American's experience with discrimination based on personal appearance and the ways the laws protect you in the state of Maryland, and in Howard County more specifically. Our panelists are Dr. Denise Boston, Equity & Restorative Practices Manager at the Howard County Office of Human Rights & Equity, Todd Givens, Investigator at the Howard County Office of Human Rights & Equity, and Marla Moore, Outreach Coordinator at the Howard County Office of Human Rights & Equity.