Dear CROWN Act Supporter,

We are excited to announce Dove has launched a new partnership with the world’s largest professional network, LinkedIn, in support of the CROWN Act! Through this strategic partnership, Dove and LinkedIn will work together on a series of actions to help end race-based hair discrimination in the workplace nationwide, including: NEW research, free LinkedIn Learning Courses and efforts to raise awareness and garner support of the CROWN Act. We’ve linked the official press release HERE for your reference.

We Fielded New Research 

Race-based hair discrimination remains a systemic problem in the workplace disproportionately impacting Black women’s employment opportunities and professional advancement.  To bring awareness to this issue, Dove and LinkedIn co-commissioned CROWN 2023 Workplace Research Study detailing the systemic social and economic impact of hair bias and discrimination against Black women in the workplace in 2023.

CROWN 2023 Workplace Research found that: 

• Black women’s hair is 2.5x more likely to be perceived as unprofessional,
• Bias against natural hair and protective styles can impact how Black women navigate the hiring process. 
  • Approximately 2/3 of Black women (66%) change their hair for a job interview. Among them, 41% changed their hair from curly to straight.
  • Black women are 54% more likely (or over 1.5x more likely) to feel like they have to wear their hair straight to a job interview to be successful.
• Hair discrimination has led Black women to have a negative experience or outcomes within the workplace.
  • Black women with coily/textured hair are 2x as likely to experience microaggressions in the workplace than Black women with straighter hair.
  • Over 20% of Black women 25-34 have been sent home from work because of their hair.
• Young Black professionals are feeling the pressure from hair discrimination the most.
  • Nearly half (44%) of Black women under age 34 feel pressured to have a headshot with straight hair.
  • 25% of Black women believe they have been denied a job interview because of their hair, which is even higher for women under 34 (1/3).

Creating an Equitable & Inclusive Work Environment

Together, Dove and LinkedIn will be providing a suite of free LinkedIn Learning Courses that support a more equitable work environment to all LinkedIn users, with a goal to educate 1 million hiring managers and workplace professionals by the end of 2023.
How to Access & Complete Learning Courses:
1. Visit Dove LinkedIn Learning Blog to view and select available DEI Learning Courses
2. Complete course requirements (i.e., videos, quizzes, etc.) accessible on computer, tablet or phone
3. Receive Certificate of Completion to download and/or showcase on your LinkedIn profile

For more information, visit Dove.com/LinkedIn

We Need Your Support!

• Spread the word that Black hair IS professional! Post photo of you rocking your natural hair, share your personal hair journey in the workplace, and tag members of your community to share their personal hair stories on their social media platforms, tagging @Dove, @LinkedIn and #BlackHairIsProfessional
• Follow Dove on LinkedIn to stay up to date on the latest campaign updates
• Continue to encourage friends, family, and members of your community to support the CROWN Act by signing the petition

As always, thank you for your continued support of the CROWN Act. Together we can end hair discrimination once and for all!

Esi Eggleston Bracey

CEO Personal Care, Unilever North America

President, Unilever US