GRAAHI’s director of research, Andrae Ivy serves on the board of the Black Leadership Advisory Council (BLAC). At GRAAHI we’re proud to join with BLAC in order to support legislation to break down systemic barriers. Read the full news provided by BLAC, and click HERE to read more about the organization and the 11 recommendations they have made to the State of Michigan.
Members of the Black Leadership Advisory Council (BLAC) joined Gov. Whitmer, Lt. Gov. Gilchrist and Sen. Sarah Anthony to celebrate the signing of the CROWN (Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural hair) Act, which bans hair discrimination and removes barriers to Black Michiganders achieving economic prosperity.
“I am proud to sign … bipartisan legislation alongside Senator Anthony to end hair discrimination in Michigan,” said Governor Whitmer. “The CROWN Act will address hair discrimination Black Michiganders face at work, at school, and elsewhere. Black Michiganders must be able to wear their natural hairstyles however they choose and not feel forced to change or straighten their hair for interviews, work, or school. We know that 44% of Black women under the age of 34 have felt this kind of discrimination before and I am proud that we are taking an important step forward today to make our state more equitable and just. Let’s keep working together on our comprehensive Make it in Michigan vision to build a state where every Michigander can work, live, and raise a family.”
Read and share Gov. Whitmer’s press release.
Black Leadership Advisory Council Support & Recommendations
The CROWN Act was one of 11 policy recommendations BLAC offered to Gov. Whitmer in their 2022 report based on subject expert presentations and other forms of research and analysis.
“From bias in job recruitment to natural hairstyles being restricted in schools, our community is subjected to race-based discrimination every day, and the CROWN Act shows Black Michiganders – and the world – that we deserve equal opportunities and the freedom to show up as our most authentic selves,” said BLAC co-chair Dr. Donna Bell. “We applaud Gov. Whitmer and the legislature for bringing the CROWN Act to Michigan and banning hair discrimination in our state.”
“Following my work with Kent County to pass local policies to ban race-based hair discrimination, I am overjoyed to know all Black Michiganders will now receive these protections,” said BLAC co-chair Robert Womack. “The Black Leadership Advisory Council applauds our state leaders for passing this meaningful legislation and adding Michigan to the growing list of partners in this national movement.”
