“This was a really beautiful and joyous celebration, seeing our natural hair community come out to the State House while we’re in recess and celebrate the diversity that is Black hair in support of the Crown Act,” said Rhode Island State Senator Tiara Mack (Democrat, District 6, Providence).

The Crown Act (S2710) would would further define the terms ‘race and ethnicity’ to include ancestry, color, ethnic group identification, and ethnic background and inclusive of traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles.” If passed, this act would provide legal protection against race-based hair discrimination, prevent hair discrimination from keeping Black women out of workplaces and prevent hair discrimination from keeping Black children out of schools.

A similar bill was passed by the United States House of Representatives in March, and is moving on to the Senate. Connecticut and Massachusetts both passed state versions of the law last year.

“One of the reasons I’m really excited to host an event like this is because too often we don’t have members of our community feel comfortable coming to the State house,” said Senator Mack.

During the celebration of natural Black hair in the State House on Thursday, people were afforded the opportunity to have their hair photographed by photographer Langston Bowen and elected officials took small groups of people on tours of the State House. Towards the end, elected officials addressed those in attendance.

“When I was running for office… we had always said that we wanted to make this space [the State House], a place where we can be celebrated, where we can be seen,” said Senator Cynthia Mendes (Democrat, District 18, East Providence). “Where or concerns and needs could be not only amplified … But we also wanted to see moments of joy happening here…”

“This is important. This is actual history in the making,” said Representative Brianna Henries (Democrat, District 64, East Providence). “I agree with my colleagues that it’s well overdue that the representation here is no longer just the blood and the sweat and the tears of our ancestors in this building, but actually our presence as we stand here and we talk.”

Senator Mack noted the example and inspiration of watching the former Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health, Dr Nicole Alexander-Scott, on television every day during the Covid epidemic “with her locks, down to hear, that have been grown with years and years of love and visible Blackness…

“What that says to young girls and young boys and gender non-conforming folks every single day that they can have their hair, and be on the stage next to the Governor one day,” said Senator Mack.

Senator Mack also noted the example of recently confirmed United States Supreme Court Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson and her natural Black hair.

“I have a very complicated relationship with my hair,” said Representative Marcia Ranglin-Vassell (Democrat, District 5, Providence). “It’s complicated because I don’t know how to do it.”

The process of having her hair done contributed to Representative Ranglin-Vassell’s love of stories.

“One of the things that really energized me and gave me my love of stories was sitting in my yard, on the ground, and my grandmother telling me stories…” while doing her hair.

“The storytelling that happens with the person doing your braids is one of the most intimate experiences – I don’t even know how to describe,” said Senator Mack, noting that stories and Black hair are deeply embedded in Black culture. “Storytelling is joy. It’s sharing different moments with other folks.”