CROWN Act, Juneteenth are about to be law in Minnesota

Last February, North News reported on the need for a CROWN Act in Minnesota.

By David Pierini, Editor

Black hair, its textures and styles, will soon gain legal protection from discrimination in Minnesota.

The CROWN Act (Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair) passed the Senate Thursday 45-19 and now awaits the signature of Gov. Tim Walz to become law. 

It was a tag team effort by two Northside lawmakers, Rep. Esther Agbaje and Sen. Bobby Joe Champion, who authored bills in their respective chambers, taking advantage of a Democratic strong hold in the House and Senate.

“The CROWN Act will ensure that no Minnesotan now or in the future can be discriminated against because of their natural hair,”  said Champion, who is also Senate president. “This kind of discrimination disproportionately affects Black women, who deserve to experience a welcoming environment in our state. Recognizing the right to wear natural hair in the workplace is another step toward creating a more inclusive Minnesota.” 

North News last February profiled the challenges Black men and women face navigating white spaces, especially in the work place, over what is considered a professional hair style. The newspaper reported on the CROWN Act after Agbaje’s first attempt at getting legislation to protect Black hair.

With Walz expected to sign it into law, language protecting natural hairstyles and texture will be added to the Minnesota Human Rights Act.

“Hair has been used as a proxy for race to deter qualified and talented individuals from applying for jobs and showing up to spaces as their authentic selves,” Agbaje said.  The passing of the CROWN Act signifies our commitment to ensuring every Minnesotan, especially our young children from black and brown communities, are given the opportunity to be themselves and feel empowered to be themselves.”  

In other news from the state Capitol, a bill that makes Juneteenth a state holiday also passed the Senate with more than 60 Democrats and Republican in support and will go to Walz to be signed into law. Champion was the bill’s chief author.

June 19, which later became known as Juneteenth, is already a federal holiday and commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans.