Gov. Kehoe signs bill to ban race-based hair discrimination
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- A new Missouri state law now prevents discrimination on natural hair textures and styles associated with race.
The Missouri CROWN (Create a Respectful and Open Workplace for Natural Hair) Act was signed into law by Governor Mike Kehoe in July of 2025.
Missouri is the 28th state to pass the Crown Act. The law will ensure that black individuals are not unfairly treated in schools, workplaces and other settings because of how they wear their hair.
Common protected hairstyles include: braids, locs, twists, bantu knots, afros and textured hair.
Historically, black women are prone to experiencing hair discrimination in public places.
According to the Dove CROWN 2023 Workplace Research Study, black women's hair is 2.5 times more likely to be perceived as unprofessional.
LaTonya Williams, executive director at the Bartlett Center, said she's gotten comments about her appearance, especially her hair.
"About the color, it could be about the texture. It could be just about anything. And the main thing is 'unprofessional' is what I hear," she said.
According to the Economic Policy Institute, hair discrimination is rooted in systemic racism, and its purpose is to preserve white spaces.
Williams said her hair is seen as "unprofessional" because it’s not mainstream like other hair types or textures.
"It's not like the stereotypical, I mean, it's not blonde. It's not just like other people in the professional world or what you would imagine is, you know, in the professional world," she said.
Co-owner of KD’s Beauty Bar and hairstylist, Dai’Janise Wilbon, has been doing hair since she was a kid. She said she's never cared what anyone thought about her hair.
“I'm going to do what I want if you don't like it. It's always been that simple for me because I'm not ashamed of anything about me," Wilbon said. "My hair, nothing. And I'm not changing it."
A previous Associated Press article shares how students are getting punished because of their hair.
Williams said the expectation of black people changing their hair and appearance makes her angry.
“It's our hair and we're expected, you know, to change every aspect of us, including our hair," she said. "That's just really a shame, you know, that we're at this advanced day and age, you know, that we're still mocked over our natural appearances."
Williams said although she's glad the CROWN Act was passed, it makes her sad since it took so long to get passed in the first place.
"It's 2025, and number one, we're just now approving of our hair...Number two, you know that we actually have to make a law to approve of our hair," she said. "Like, I mean, if you look at those words, it's the law approving of our natural hairstyles...While it is an achievement, in all honesty, it's a sad achievement. You know, that's even a thing in the first place."
Wilbon also expressed her thoughts on the CROWN Act.
“I feel like that's a mixed emotion thing because, first of all, why is this even a concern? Why does anyone care what someone else is doing to their hair?" she said. "Because how I express myself or my hair doesn't affect you or your mood, whether it's a mohawk, a bob, you know, braids down to my toenails in the summertime."
Williams explained what black hair means to her and how complex it can be.
“It's your crown, you know. A black female, at times, it's often looked at as a curse,” she said. “I know that in the professional world, I've had to conform over medical reasons. If you mention hair to a black woman, you know, I mean, all of us are going to get excited. We love hair."
Wilbon talks about what black hair means to her and how it means everything.
“I feel like it's expressive..." she said. "Could be, you know, something, spunky. So I might have...like today I have a little bit of red. You know, those are my fall colors. So it's kind of by what's going on around me or how I'm feeling."
Currently, 22 states have not enacted the Crown Act. For more information about the CROWN Act, visit Dove's website.
