Following Texas Governor Greg Abbott officially signing H.B. 567, the Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural (CROWN) Hair Act, into law, one of the state’s only Black natural hair festivals has a new reason to rejoice the momentous occasion.
The new legislation has been designed to protect citizens from hair discrimination and specifically lists “braids, locks and twists” as hairstyles deserving protection.
With that said, the “Kinky Curly Coily Festival” featuring Cha’Keeta B Music will commence, teaching naturalistas from across the state how to treat, style and maintain their natural hair. The event is scheduled to take place at Dottiewood Studios with tickets ranging from $25-$35.
The festival will include training sessions and workshops on how to care for Black hair, as well as featuring hair products, sponsors and vendors who will answer much-needed questions from visitors.
“We just had to pass a law telling people not to discriminate against our hair, so obviously representation in educating other people that don’t have hair like ours is very important,” event organizer Lauren Riggins told KXAN. “If anybody else wanted to come and learn about our hair, because maybe they have mixed children or…a friend who might want to learn about how to grow or style or keep healthy natural hair…[the event] is for everyone.”
So, what are you waiting for? Don’t delay and buy your tickets today!
Background
The CROWN Act amends Chapter 21 of the Texas Labor Code to prohibit discrimination “on the basis of hair texture or protective hairstyle commonly associated with race” with an emphasis on “hairstyle[s] commonly associated with race,” which cover styles including afros, cornrows, bantu knots and high-top fades, among others.
The Act will go into effect in September and “applies to employers, labor unions, employment agencies, public schools, and institutions of higher education,” according to a Lexology report. “Currently, there are no cases that challenge the CROWN Act in the employment context.”
