Our Hair, Our Voice, Our Right: A Live Panel on the CROWN Act with Senator Tameika Isaac Devine
- CUBNSC
- Aug 6
- 4 min read
By Javar Juarez | Columbia, SC — The Columbia Urban Broadcast Network (CUBN) invites the community to the Richland County Library Main Branch for a timely and powerful conversation on the CROWN Act — a bill that seeks to end race-based hair discrimination in schools, workplaces, and beyond. This live recording will feature a special appearance by Senator Tameika Isaac Devine, one of the state’s fiercest advocates for the legislation.
The event will bring together a dynamic panel of natural hair care professionals, HR specialists, and civil rights advocates to explore what it means to protect our crown and glory — not just culturally, but legally.
Our hair is neither a political protest nor a passing trend. It is a reflection of identity, history, and beauty — uniquely and powerfully our own. No one should be forced to sacrifice health, authenticity, or self-expression in order to meet someone else’s standard of professionalism.
Why It’s Personal for Senator Devine
In her exclusive CUBN interview, Senator Devine described her journey of embracing her natural hair — and the pressure she felt for years as an attorney and elected official to straighten it to appear “professional.”
“When I was younger, like most people, I went to a relaxer. It damaged my hair — parts of it fell out,” she shared. “Even when I went natural, I was still straightening it, still trying to fit someone else’s idea of acceptable.”
“It wasn’t until COVID, when I couldn’t go to the salon, that I embraced my natural curls. That journey — the awkward transition, the pressure, the judgment — it’s something too many Black women understand.”
But the issue, she explained, goes far beyond aesthetics.
“This isn’t just about how you look. It’s about health. Long-term chemical treatments have been linked to cancer, reproductive issues, and worsening maternal health outcomes — especially for Black women. We have to connect the dots. This is public health. This is civil rights.”
About the CROWN Act (S.584)
Originally introduced in the U.S. Senate, the CROWN Act (Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair) seeks to prohibit discrimination based on hair texture or protective hairstyles commonly associated with race or national origin.
As stated in Section 2 of S.584:
“In a society in which hair has historically been one of many determining factors of a person’s race, racial and national origin discrimination can and has occurred… because of how hair is styled.”
The bill notes that “Black women are 1.5 times more likely to be sent home from the workplace because of their hair,” and that race-based hair discrimination has no place in a country that promises liberty and justice for all.
Black Women Aren’t Alone in This Fight
The fight against hair discrimination extends beyond Black women. Black men also face racial profiling and workplace harassment because of their natural styles — particularly locked or twisted hair. Too often, these styles are targeted in schools, workplaces, sports, and even by law enforcement.
In one widely publicized case from 2020, a Texas family prepared legal action after their teenage son, DeAndre Arnold, was told he could not walk at graduation unless he cut his locks. Faced with the choice between his education milestone and his cultural identity, DeAndre risked in‑school suspension rather than conform to discriminatory rules ABC13 News.
Sadly, children are not spared from these injustices. In 2021, Jimmy Hoffmeyer, the father of 7‑year‑old Jurnee, sought justice after a teacher at her school cut her hair without permission. Just days earlier, Jurnee had proudly received a professional asymmetrical haircut to correct damage caused when a classmate cut her hair on the school bus. Instead of supporting her, a teacher took it upon themselves to cut her hair again, compounding the harm ABC News.
These cases make clear that discrimination based on natural hair is not limited to women — it is a systemic issue affecting the entire Black community. The CROWN Act seeks to end these humiliations and injustices by ensuring that no child, student, or professional is forced to sacrifice their dignity or cultural identity.
Senator Devine has been working with lawmakers and grassroots organizers to bring this legislation to life in South Carolina:
“This bill protects your right to show up as your authentic self,” she emphasized. “And the only way it passes is if the people demand it.”
Join the Conversation
CUBN encourages everyone — especially students, professionals, educators, and parents — to attend this free event and take part in the recording. You may also watch live on facebook and youtube @CUBNSC
Thursday, August 14, 2025
Richland County Library – Main Branch 1431 Assembly Street Columbia, SC
Live Recording + Panel Discussion at 6:00 PM
Open to the Public | Free Entry | Refreshments will be served
Let’s make it known: Our hair deserves protection — not permission.
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