Councilmember Jawando and Council President Navarro to hold press conference on CROWN Act

For Immediate Release: Friday, October 11, 2019

ROCKVILLE, Md., Oct. 11, 2019—Councilmember Will Jawando and Council President Nancy Navarro will hold a press conference on Bill 30-19, the CROWN (Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair)Act, on Tuesday, Oct. 15 at 1 p.m. at the Council Office Building (100 Maryland Ave. in Rockville). The CROWN Act would prohibit discrimination against certain types of natural hairstyles, including braids, locks, afros, curls and twists, and would ensure that individuals who are discriminated against because of the appearance of their natural hair can seek a civil penalty of up to $5,000 through the County’s Office of Human Rights. Montgomery County is the first local jurisdiction to introduce such legislation. Several states, including New York and California, have recently adopted or introduced similar measures. A Council public hearing on the CROWN Act will begin immediately following the press conference at 1:30 p.m.

What:Press conference

When:Tuesday, Oct. 15 at 1 p.m. 

Where:Capital Crescent Trail Room, fourth floor, Stella B. Werner Council Office Building, 100 Maryland Ave. in Rockville

Who:

• Councilmember Will Jawando
• Council President Nancy Navarro
• Wendy Greene, professor of law at Drexel University Kline School of Law and Francis Lewis scholar in residence at Washington and Lee University School of Law, anti-hair discrimination advocate and expert witness for California bill hearing
• Kelli Richardson Lawson, CEO, JOY Collective
• Orlena Nwokah Blanchard, president, JOY Collective
• Jeanette Conrad-Ellis, Montgomery County resident who wears natural hair

Contact:For further information about the press conference, contactCouncilmember.Jawando@montgomerycountymd.gov or call 240-777-7972.

Councilmember Jawando’s remarks at the introduction of the CROWN Act on Sept. 24 can be viewed here:https://youtu.be/uyxkuFHubH8.

Council President Navarro’s remarks can be viewed here:https://youtu.be/Cxto6kD29-Q.

 

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Release ID: 19-329
Media Contact: Cecily Thorne 240-777-7972