National CROWN Day, presented by Dove and the CROWN Coalition, is back and expanded to a two-week celebration to commemorate the inaugural signing of the first CROWN Act (July 3, 2019) to “Create a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair.” This year’s celebrations mark the fourth CROWN Day, and will kick-off during the 2023 BET Awards, followed by several signature events during the ESSENCE Festival of Culture in New Orleans, LA.
The hallmark event of National CROWN Day is the annual CROWN Awards on Sunday, July 2. Hosted by Tai Beauchamp, the ceremony will highlight the extraordinary strength, grace, and impact of notable Black women and girls – both at the forefront and behind the scenes of change – whose talents and leadership help advance the legacy of Black beauty and brilliance. Some honorees and attendees include Caroline Wanga, Camille Friend, MC Lyte, Quvenzhané Wallis, Michelle Miller, Lynae Vanee, Tabitha Brown and Kym Whitley.
“Dove is proud to return to the ESSENCE Festival of Culture to celebrate the continued progress that has been made to end hair discrimination in the US,” stated Esi Eggleston Bracey, President of Unilever US & CEO of Unilever Personal Care, NA. While there is much to celebrate with 23 states and 50 municipalities that have passed CROWN legislation, there is still work to be done to ensure protections and inclusivity. We look forward to uplifting Black women and girls who are standing proudly in their full, unapologetic beauty as part of this year’s fourth annual CROWN Day festivities.”
As part of this year’s CROWN Day celebration, Dove is inviting newscasters across the country to wear their natural and protective styles on air and on their social channels on Monday, July 3 to represent the beauty and diversity of Black hair on air.
2023 National CROWN Day celebrations include:
- June 12 – Beloved children’s YouTube series Gracie’s Corner releases special “Gracie’s CROWN” episode, spotlighting the importance of loving and celebrating your hair.
- June 21-24 – Black@Cannes CROWN Conversations focused on normalizing natural hairstyles on screen and shifting culture.
- June 25 – 2023 BET Awards in-show video to affirm that Black hair IS professional.
- June 30 – ESSENCE Beautycon “For the Love of Black Beauty” Panel featuring award-winning Actor Kym Whitley, celebrity hairstylist Camille Friend and Dove Self-Esteem Project Educator Dre Brown.
- July 2 – Third annual CROWN Awards, hosted by Tai Beauchamp and honoring trailblazers and gamechangers across various fields.
- July 3 – National CROWN Day – Black Hair Independence Day will kick-off with a “CROWNs & Conversations” breakfast celebration in New Orleans, LA. Newscasters from across the US will wear their natural and protective styles on-air and take to social media to post photos of their #NaturalHairOnAir. All celebrating National CROWN Day are invited to post photos and videos using #CROWNProud.
About The CROWN Coalition
The CROWN Coalition was formed in 2019 by founding members Dove, National Urban League, Western Center on Law & Poverty and Color of Change to “Create a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair.” This alliance was formed to create a more equitable and inclusive experience for Black consumers through the advancement of hair discrimination legislation known as The CROWN Act. The CROWN Coalition now includes over 100 community organizations working toward real, actionable change.
The CROWN Coalition was created by Dove, along with a team of Black women, including Esi Eggleston Bracey (President of Unilever USA & CEO of Unilever Personal Care, North America), Adjoa B. Asamoah (CEO of ABA Consulting), Orlena Nwokah Blanchard (Managing Partner of Seven Elements Group) and Kelli Richardson Lawson (CEO of House of JOY).
The CROWN Act and laws inspired by the CROWN Act have passed in 23 states and 50 municipalities since 2019. For more information on the CROWN Coalition, and Dove research studies on hair discrimination, visit www.thecrownact.com.
*Legislation inspired by the CROWN Act
About Dove
Dove started its life in 1957 in the US, with launch of the Beauty Bar, with its patented blend of mild cleansers and ¼ moisturizing cream. Dove’s heritage is rooted in care – proof, not promises grew Dove from a Beauty Bar into one of the world’s most beloved beauty brands.
For 65 years, Dove has been committed to broadening the narrow definition of beauty in the work they do. This includes the ‘Dove Real Beauty Pledge,’ and commitment to:
Portray women as they are in real life with honesty, diversity and respect. We feature women of different ages, sizes, ethnicities, hair color, type and style.
Represent individuals with zero digital distortion, with all images approved by the women they feature.
Help young people build body confidence and self-esteem through the Dove Self-Esteem Project, the biggest provider of self-esteem education in the world with a goal to educate 250 million young people by 2030.
