Groundbreaking legislation will prohibit hair-based discrimination and affirm equity for all residents

CUYAHOGA COUNTY, OH—On Tuesday, September 9, District 10 Cuyahoga County Councilman Michael J. Houser, Sr. will formally introduce legislation to adopt the Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair (CROWN) Act. The legislation will prohibit discrimination against residents based on hair texture or protective hairstyles such as braids, twists, locs, and Bantu knots.

The proposed ordinance would enact countywide protections against discrimination based on hair textures or hairstyles commonly associated with a particular race or national origin. It would be incorporated into Cuyahoga County’s broader anti-discrimination laws and would also make complementary changes to update the county’s employee handbook to ensure consistency with the new countywide requirement.

“Too many of our neighbors have been denied jobs or made to feel less than simply because of the way their hair grows naturally,” said Councilman Houser. “This legislation makes clear that in Cuyahoga County, we will not tolerate bias or exclusion. The CROWN Act is about fairness, dignity, and the freedom to be your authentic self.”

Councilman Houser’s effort has already drawn support from leading civil rights organizations, including the Cleveland NAACP and the Urban League of Greater Cleveland, both of which have underscored the importance of ending hair-based discrimination as part of the broader fight for equity and justice. Research underscores this urgency: “Being subjected to comments about hair is the sixth most common microaggression experienced by Black women at work, according to our 2024 Project Noir research. It is imperative that we have legal pathways to ensure that hair discrimination in our region is addressed,” said Chinenye Nkemere of Enlightened Solutions.

“While more than 20 states have passed versions of the CROWN Act, Ohio has yet to do so,” Houser added. “By advancing this legislation locally, I’m working to ensure that Cuyahoga County leads where the state has stalled. This is not just symbolic, it’s enforceable policy that strengthens our workforce, supports our youth, and makes our county more inclusive. By passing the CROWN Act, we send a clear message: discrimination of any kind has no place in Cuyahoga County.”

The legislation is expected to be formally introduced during the September 9^th Council Meeting. Following introduction, Councilman Houser will host a series of community conversations to engage residents, educators, employers, and civic leaders on the importance of the CROWN Act.