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Cuyahoga County council introduces 'Crown Act' ordinance to ban hair‑texture discrimination; broad public support voiced
Summary
Council introduced Ordinance 20250004 to prohibit discrimination based on hair texture or hairstyles associated with race; dozens of cosmetologists, civil‑rights groups and the county executive voiced support during public comment.
Cuyahoga County Council gave first reading Tuesday to Ordinance 20250004, a proposal to add protections in county code banning discrimination on the basis of hair texture and hairstyles commonly associated with race or national origin.
The ordinance was referred to the Human Resources, Appointments and Equity Committee for further consideration. The county executive told the council he supports the measure and asked to be listed as a sponsor on the legislation.
Public comment on the “Crown Act” was extensive: cosmetologists, service‑industry workers, and advocacy groups described workplace and school incidents in which people with Afro‑textured hair said they were told to change their hair to meet rules or to gain employment opportunities. Chinania Enkemra of Enlightened Solutions, a local racial and gender justice organization, said the law would protect dignity and economic opportunity, and cited local research showing hair‑based discrimination harms retention and advancement.
Multiple cosmetologists described customer experiences and the economic and emotional costs of forced hairstyle changes. Kendra Weems, a licensed cosmetologist, said she had seen customers feel “stress” over being told to cut hair or alter locks for work advancement. Delisa Delcan of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women Greater Cleveland Chapter told council members that natural and protective hairstyles are “a sense of pride, identity, and in some cases, a deeply spiritual or religious connection.”
The ordinance text read on the floor would amend county code sections 15‑01.01 and 15‑01.02 and employee handbook language to prohibit discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodations based on hair texture or hairstyles commonly associated with a particular race or national origin. The council recorded the referral; no committee vote or implementation specifics were included in the meeting transcript.
Council members thanked the many residents and professionals who spoke and said they would forward the measure to the committee for more detailed consideration.
