Dove and the CROWN Coalition Celebrate 2nd National CROWN Day with Inaugural CROWN Awards
Presented by Dove and the CROWN Coalition, National CROWN Day, also known as Black Hair Independence Day, is back! National CROWN Day is a special holiday commemorating the inaugural signing of the first CROWN Act legislation in the United States in 2019 to "Create a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair." The July 3rd celebration will feature a full day of virtual events, including the inaugural CROWN AWARDS at 7:00 p.m. ET honoring Black women paving the way with contributions to culture, community, entrepreneurship, entertainment and the advancement of Black beauty.
To date, thirteen (13) states and twenty-nine (29) municipalities have enacted The CROWN Act, or laws inspired by The CROWN Act, but there is still more work to be done to make hair discrimination illegal across the country. With a federal bill introduced in both chambers of U.S. Congress in March 2021, National CROWN Day 2021 will be an intergenerational experience to mobilize the Black community and allies to call on federal legislators to pass The CROWN Act in Congress. Everyone is asked to join The CROWN Act movement and help us #PASSTHECROWN to end race-based hair discrimination in the U.S. by signing the petition at www.thecrownact.com.
In 2019, Dove and the CROWN Coalition partnered with then State Senator Holly J. Mitchell of Californiato introduce legislation to address the disparate impact of hair discrimination on Black people in workplaces and in schools. California Senate Bill 188 (SB 188) was introduced in January 2019 and signed into law on July 3, 2019, making California the first state to prohibit discrimination based on protective hairstyles and hair texture associated with race. One year later, on July 3, 2020, the first National CROWN Day was born with a virtual summit of renown experts and celebrities to elevate the public discourse on race-based hair discrimination and galvanize supporters and allies to #PASSTHECROWN nationwide. National CROWN Day became the hallmark of The CROWN Act movement that drives collective impact to end race-based hair discrimination nationwide.
The groundbreaking legislative movement and National CROWN Day are led by The CROWN Coalition, a national alliance founded by Dove, National Urban League, Western Center on Law & Poverty, and Color Of Change, and supported by over 80 community and advocacy organizations.
This year's events kickoff with a 7-day countdown of virtual engagement and community connections leading up to CROWN Day, which will feature a day of activations, including the inaugural CROWN Awards.
The inaugural CROWN Awards will highlight the extraordinary strength, grace and perseverance of notable Black women, whether at the forefront or behind the scenes of change, whose talents and leadership help advance the legacy of Black beauty and brilliance. The Legend CROWNS will celebrate honorees 50 and older; Iconic CROWNS will spotlight recipients ages 30-50; and Young CROWNS will highlight winners who are 30 and under. Award categories range from art and business, to music, sports and the champions of The CROWN Act legislation.
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