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As a result of the support and partnership from the CROWN Coalition, a broad-based coalition comprised of Dove, the National Urban League, the Western Center on Law and Poverty, the Links, Inc. and many other natural hair advocates and civic organizations, California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act now includes in the definition of race \"traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles,\" the latter including \"hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists.\"

Any California employers with grooming policies that prohibit protective hairstyles or schools with dress codes that prohibit locs, twists or braids, must now amend those policies.

The goal of the CROWN Act is to guarantee that black women and men can choose how to wear their hair without fear of bias or discrimination. And that hiring managers will be educated about the new law to prevent preconceived biases about natural hairstyles from influencing hiring decisions.

As Governor Newsom said at the bill signing, \"This is beyond hair.\"

Our nation remains unstable in regards to race relations, and the CROWN Act is but one element of the broader conversation about our need to understand people and cultures that are different from our own.

California was first but certainly won’t be the last state to take this stand. I have heard from hundreds of people from around the nation who want to know how to help bring this change to their state.

I have also heard from young women across California who say that they now know that their box braids will no longer lead to school suspensions.

It is time for us all to create open and respectful spaces for everyone.

As the song lyric in my mom’s favorite song, \"Let there Be Peace on Earth,\" reminds us: \"And let it begin with me.\"

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