In 2020, Philadelphia became the first municipality in Pennsylvania to enact legislation banning discrimination based on a person’s hairstyle.

Then-City Council member (now Mayor) Mayor Cherrelle Parker and former Council member Blondell Reynolds Brown partnered with the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations (PCHR) in 2020 to advance the city’s protections.

This past week, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro signed the state’s version of the CROWN Act into law, expanding the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act. The CROWN Act, which stands for “Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair,” solidifies protections against hair discrimination statewide. Pennsylvania becomes the 28th state to adopt a similar version of legislation.

“This is an issue of workplace fairness and free expression that in the past has disproportionately impacted Black and brown people, and especially Black women. Hair is an affirmation of personal identity and often represents one’s culture and heritage,” said PCHR Executive Director Renee Chenault Fattah. “We want people to bring their authentic selves to the workplace. No one should feel forced to leave a part of themselves behind when they come to work or school.”

“Pennsylvania’s passage of the CROWN Act reinforces what Philadelphia recognized years ago — that protecting people from hair discrimination is essential to equity and dignity. This legislation is more than just a policy change – it is a civil rights advancement,” said PCHR Chairman Kareem E. Thomas. “I’m proud to lead a Commission that helped set a clear standard with a clear message: natural hair should never be a barrier to opportunity.