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

CUYAHOGA COUNTY, OH—Tonight, District 9 Cuyahoga County Councilwoman Meredith Turner stands alongside County leaders as a sponsor of the Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair (CROWN) Act legislation, which would prohibit discrimination on the basis of a person’s hair texture or hairstyle in the areas of housing, employment, and places of public accommodation.

Councilwoman Turner has been a strong advocate for implementing the CROWN Act across Cuyahoga County for many years.

“As a Black woman, this issue is personal to me,” said Councilwoman Turner. “I’ve experienced firsthand the pressure to conform to Eurocentric beauty standards just to be seen as ‘professional.’ Our hair is a reflection of our identity, and no one should be judged or discriminated against because of how they wear it. By supporting the CROWN Act, we are protecting our children, celebrating our culture, and making sure every person in Cuyahoga County has the freedom to show up as their authentic self. I’m grateful to my colleagues, including Councilmen Michael J. Houser and Robert E. Schleper, Jr. who recognize the value of this legislation and the importance of standing with Black women, children, and families in the fight for equity.”

While the CROWN Act has gained national momentum, advocates continue to push for its adoption at the federal and state level, including Congresswoman Shontel Brown and Representative Juanita O. Brent. Councilwoman Turner believes passing legislation in Cuyahoga County is an essential step to fostering inclusivity and equity across the state.

“The Council of Cuyahoga County is making an important step in clarifying that a systemic form of racial discrimination on the basis of hairstyles associated with racial identity is prohibited under local law,” said Dr. Wendy Green, legal architect of the foundational California CROWN Act. “This ordinance is vital to better ensuring that one’s human and civil rights to express their identities and to be free from all forms of racial discrimination are respected and protected in Cuyahoga County.”

Through the passage of this ordinance, Councilwoman Turner aims to elevate the stories of residents who have experienced hair-based discrimination by hosting community conversations where residents can learn more, share their perspectives, and shape a more inclusive future.

Essence Doucet, a resident of Shaker Heights, said, “My hair is my crown. It’s glorious you see. It’s curly, it’s strong, it’s rooted in me. Long gone are the days of shame and despair. From now on I’ll say I love my hair.”

Turner encourages residents to learn more about the CROWN Act and to engage with their local representatives to advocate for change. To learn more about the CROWN Act, visit thecrownact.com.

Dr. Adjoa B. Asamoah, who leads the CROWN Act Coalition and is the scholar and strategist championing the national movement, praised the Council for its legislation: “The statutory protection the CROWN Act extends to hair is critically important at the local level, and I applaud Councilwoman Meredith Turner (who I have worked with to create a more just society for years) and her colleagues for introducing it in Cuyahoga County.”