Melba Tolliver News Anchor whose Afro caused a stir

Centuries of Bias: Hair Discrimination Cases from the 1971 until now

Centuries of Bias: Hair Discrimination Cases from the 1971 until now

As far back as we know, one of the earliest publicized instances of hair discrimination in America occurred in 1971 with Melba Tolliver, a news reporter for WABC-TV. Tolliver wore an Afro while covering the wedding of President Nixon’s daughter, and the backlash she faced from her employer to change her natural hair or be removed from her assignment laid bare a harsh reality: embracing natural Black hair was considered unprofessional and unacceptable.

A few years later, in 1976, the legal landscape began to shift with the landmark case Jenkins v. Blue Cross Mutual Hospital Insurance, Inc. Beverly Jenkins was denied a promotion solely because of her Afro hairstyle, and her legal victory helped set a precedent that racial identity and natural hair were intertwined. However, before these cases came to light, hair discrimination was pervasive and normalized across all areas of society, largely going unchallenged.

Fast forward to today, and the battle against hair discrimination remains ongoing. From workplaces to schools to the entertainment industry, Black people are still being penalized for wearing their natural hair. This blog compiles 169 hair discrimination cases spanning from 2016 to 2024, each one a testament to the systemic nature of this problem.

But this is just the beginning, and we need your help.
If you know of any other cases of hair discrimination—whether they occurred in a workplace, at school, or in other settings—please share them with us. Our goal is to build the most comprehensive record of hair discrimination cases, to shed light on this widespread issue, and to continue the fight for equal hair rights.

Click the link below to submit any cases that aren't listed here, and together, we can ensure that every story is heard and no case is overlooked. 

167 documented cases · 1975–2024
Date News story Location
Aug 6, 2024 Judge dismisses most claims in federal lawsuit filed by Black Texas student punished over hairstyleNews-Press NOW Galveston, USA
Jul 15, 2024 An Illinois man alleges he was fired by a Des Moines company for not cutting his dreadlocksDes Moines Register Des Moines, USA
Jun 28, 2024 Houchens Food Group to Pay $40,000 in EEOC Religious Discrimination LawsuitJD Supra Indianapolis, USA
Jun 13, 2024 N.J. influencer Samiyah Gaddy sues Ebin New York for alleged racial discrimination and harassmentThe Philadelphia Inquirer New York, USA
Apr 26, 2024 Ye Sued for Allegedly Discriminating Against Black Staff, Demanding Employee Cut Off His LocsComplex Simi Valley, USA
Apr 12, 2024 Coils & Kinks KKKarma: Medical Supply Company Ordered To Pay $50K To Black Employee Fired Over ‘Unprofessional’ Natural HairBossip USA
Apr 10, 2024 American Screening settles EEOC case of racial hair discriminationThe American Genius Shreveport, USA
Mar 13, 2024 CT NAACP: Enfield ShopRite employee faced discrimination because of hair colorFOX61 Connecticut, USA
Jan 25, 2024 Referees Accused Of Discrimination After Black Basketball Player Barred From Game Due To Hair BeadsEssence Maplewood, USA
Jan 18, 2024 A Black actor was denied a wig for a major Broadway tour. She’s now suing for racial discriminationLos Angeles Times USA
Jan 10, 2024 I Went Up Against the Texas Legal System's Anti-Trans Hair Policy — And WonACLU of Texas Texas, USA
Dec 19, 2023 Maryland Twisters Get Rocked by Discrimination Allegation Surrounding a 7-Year-Old Cheerleader Over Hair Policy UpheavalEssentiallySports Maryland, USA
Dec 7, 2023 Atlanta cop says city misled him into cutting his locsRolling Out Atlanta, USA
Nov 16, 2023 Michigan hair salon charged with discrimination over social media postsCBS News Traverse, USA
Nov 15, 2023 A Black New Jersey police officer has filed a lawsuit alleging that she was discriminated against for wearing a particular hairstyleFOX 5 New York New Jersey, USA
Nov 10, 2023 Black 7-Year-Old Kicked Off Cheer Team After Fight Over Her HairMSN Maryland, USA
Nov 9, 2023 Maplewood cop with traditional African hairstyle sues for hair discriminationNew Jersey Monitor Maplewood, USA
Sep 26, 2023 Duke Revises Policy to Prevent Race-Based Hair DiscriminationDuke Today —
Sep 18, 2023 Black student in Texas suspended twice for hairstyle despite state ban on racial discriminationPBS Mont Belvieu, USA
Aug 31, 2023 Black student suspended from Barbers Hill High School in Texas because his dreadlocks fell below his earlobes as his mom blasts ‘prejudice toward Black culture’ – in the same week the state outlawed racial discrimination based on hairMSN Houston, USA
Aug 19, 2023 Cheer coach resigns after parents say CMS cheer safety policy banning braids, wigs is discriminatoryWCNC Charlotte, USA
Aug 15, 2023 Fast-food worker with blonde braids sent home for having ‘unnatural’ hairHR Grapevine Harrisburg, USA
Jul 31, 2023 No free-for-all – Judges rule there must be limits on freedom of expression in dreadlocks caseThe Gleaner St Catherine, Jamaica
Jul 27, 2023 They Asked Me To Cut My 6-Year-Old Son's Hair. I Taught Them About Native Cultural Erasure.Yahoo North Carolina, USA
Jul 6, 2023 A Black schoolgirl spent two days in isolation because of an “inappropriate hairstyle”, her mum saidBBC Walsall, UK
Jun 22, 2023 SA study calls for more culturally sensitive school policies amid reports of hair discriminationABC Australia South Africa
Jun 20, 2023 Louisiana Slidell lawsuit child hair styleWDSU Slidell, USA
Jun 4, 2023 Testimony of Janai S. Nelson, Associate Director-Counsel, NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, before the U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security on TSA's policies to prevent unlawful policingCongress.gov USA
May 24, 2023 Bozoma Saint John’s Latest Partnership Takes On Hair Discrimination In The WorkplaceBlack Enterprise USA
May 15, 2023 ‘Queen Charlotte’ star Golda Rosheuvel said she ‘cried’ after hairstylists made her feel seen. Here are 17 Black celebrities who faced hair discrimination on set.Business Insider —
May 14, 2023 ‘Queen Charlotte’ star Golda Rosheuvel said she ‘cried’ after hairstylists made her feel seen. Here are 17 Black celebrities who faced hair discrimination on set.Business Insider Hollywood, USA
May 10, 2023 Cam Newton Believes His Dreadlocks Are The Reason Why He's Not Signed To The NFL: ‘I'm Not Changing’Blavity Atlanta, USA
Apr 23, 2023 Fired over dreadlocks, an Alabama woman sued and won $800,000AL.com Alabama, USA
Apr 12, 2023 Ritz job applicant informed of afro hair ban says hotel apology ‘disingenuous’The Guardian London, UK
Mar 21, 2023 After asking Native American boy to cut his hair, Leland school accused of discriminationStarNews San Jose, USA
Mar 16, 2023 This young lady, high school aged, came in & interviewed. Afterwards, Shannon says… “I know it’s a trend, but natural hair isn’t professional for an interview. I could see if she already had the job or for everyday wear, but she shouldn’t wear it to an interview.” The other lady sitting with her agreed.Facebook Raleigh, USA
Mar 2, 2023 Black women struggle to fight hair discrimination in corporate AmericaSpectrum News Columbus, USA
Mar 2, 2023 ‘My hair is not my character’: Teens ask San Antonio council to ban natural hair discriminationSan Antonio Express-News San Antonio, USA
Mar 1, 2023 ‘You need representation’: Durham student advocates to end hair-based discriminationWRAL Durham, USA
Feb 26, 2023 Native moms who sued school after hair cutting support bill seeking to protect students’ religious, cultural freedomLincoln Journal Star USA
Jan 10, 2023 Applicant’s refusal to cut dreadlocks was protected by Title VII, EEOC saysHR Dive Kentucky, USA
Oct 20, 2022 Tatum ISD hair discrimination lawsuit in federal courtLongview News-Journal —
Aug 29, 2022 Family calls O'Gorman High School dress code ‘culturally biased’Argus Leader Sioux Falls, USA
Aug 17, 2022 How Nathalie Emmanuel Fought Hair Discrimination On SetAllure USA
Aug 17, 2022 How Nathalie Emmanuel Fought Hair Discrimination On SetAllure —
Aug 8, 2022 Black women embrace wearing ‘natural’ hair at workThe Columbus Dispatch Delaware, USA
Jul 29, 2022 Mass. just banned hair discrimination. These twins helped pave the way.The Washington Post Boston, USA
May 10, 2022 My granddaughter could still face discrimination for her natural hairThe Washington Post —
May 7, 2022 Targeted hair discrimination at East Bernard school, says motherKXXV East Bernard, USA
May 2, 2022 Another Black Texas Student Faces Hair DiscriminationThe Root Needville, USA
Apr 29, 2022 Texas high school policy banning braided or twisted hair has stopped a teen from attending school, his mom saysCNN Houston, USA
Apr 29, 2022 Texas high school policy banning braided or twisted hair has stopped a teen from attending school, his mom saysCNN Houston, USA
Apr 29, 2022 A youth soccer player was ejected from a Bucks County game for wearing hair beadsThe Philadelphia Inquirer Philadelphia, USA
Apr 22, 2022 6 Kids Speak Out Against Hair DiscriminationThe New York Times New York, USA
Mar 26, 2022 “Why Are You Contouring My Nose?” Black Canadian Actors Share Their Experiences with Hair and Makeup DiscriminationAllure Canada
Mar 17, 2022 CNN Settles Racial Discrimination Lawsuit Filed by Black Manager of Hair and Makeup DepartmentMediaite Washington, USA
Dec 15, 2021 Black Women on Body Discrimination, From Colorism to Natural Hair DiscriminationTeen Vogue —
Dec 14, 2021 Basketball Australia apologizes for hair rule Tiffany Mitchell called outJust Women's Sports Melbourne, Australia
Dec 6, 2021 San Diego man sues employer for discrimination over natural hair styleCBS News San Diego, USA
Dec 6, 2021 7 Times a Black Person Was Discriminated Against Because of Their Natural HairBlavity Texas, USA
Dec 4, 2021 A Black job applicant is suing over hair discrimination, but the company says it was a misunderstandingCNN San Diego, USA
Dec 4, 2021 A Black job applicant is suing over hair discrimination, but the company says it was a misunderstandingCNN Florida, USA
Oct 28, 2021 Black woman fired for wearing natural hair instead of a wig, Louisiana lawsuit saysSun Herald Shreveport, USA
Oct 27, 2021 American Screening Sued by EEOC for Race DiscriminationEEOC Shreveport, USA
Oct 22, 2021 ACLU sues Magnolia ISD over male students’ hair length policyABC13 Magnolia, USA
Oct 20, 2021 Hair discrimination should be designated as a form of racism, campaigners and MPs saySky News UK
Sep 18, 2021 Michigan Man Alleges Racial Discrimination in $1 Million Lawsuit Against School Whose Employee Cut Daughter's HairComplex Michigan, USA
Sep 16, 2021 US man files $1m lawsuit after Michigan teacher cuts child’s hairBBC Michigan, USA
Aug 1, 2021 A Lawsuit Alleges That an Albuquerque Middle School Discriminated Against a Black Student Due to Her HairThe Root Albuquerque, USA
Jul 8, 2021 Rockville Catholic school’s hairstyle policies face scrutiny for racial discriminationWTOP Rockville, USA
Jun 28, 2021 Family accuses school head of discrimination over hair braidsCyprus Mail Larnaca, Cyprus
Jun 9, 2021 How a dreadlocked student sparked a movement for Black hair politicsDazed Ghana
May 27, 2021 Rooted: 3 North Texas men with loc'd hairstyle were told ‘cut your hair to get the job’WFAA Dallas, USA
May 17, 2021 Black lawmaker wearing her hair natural fights for right of all Black women to do the sameLouisiana Illuminator USA
May 13, 2021 Black high school softball player told to remove beads cuts hairUSA Today Durham, USA
May 12, 2021 Umps tell Black NC softball player to cut her hair during a game. ‘It was humiliating’News & Observer North Carolina, USA
Apr 19, 2021 After Suspending an 11-Year-Old Black Boy for Wearing Braids, Texas School District Faces LawsuitBlack Enterprise Troy, USA
Mar 18, 2021 After West Side School Forces 4-Year-Old To Remove His Braids, Parents Ask: Why Are We Policing Black Children’s Hair?Block Club Chicago Chicago, USA
Mar 17, 2021 This family fought a West Side school’s ban on Black hair styles — and now Illinois could ban hair discriminationChalkbeat Chicago, USA
Feb 22, 2021 Japan Hair Controversy Highlights Harmful School PoliciesHuman Rights Watch Osaka, Japan
Dec 17, 2020 Halo Collective: It’s time to end hair discrimination in British schoolsgal-dem South London, UK
Dec 6, 2020 16-Year-Old Black Student With Natural Hair Asked By School To ‘Get Her Hair Done’Essence —
Nov 23, 2020 Join Us In The Fight To Eradicate Hair DiscriminationGrazia UK
Oct 26, 2020 Judge Rules Banning Dreadlocks In The Workplace Is Not DiscriminationEssence Mobile, USA
Aug 18, 2020 Texas school district’s dreadlocks ban discriminatory, federal court rulesThe Texas Tribune Houston, USA
Jul 2, 2020 As a Black woman, I faced hair discrimination on my second day in the NavySan Diego Union-Tribune USA
Feb 10, 2020 Ruby Williams: No child with afro hair should suffer like meBBC London, UK
Feb 7, 2020 Pupil repeatedly sent home from school over afro hair wins £8,500 payoutThe Independent London, UK
Jan 28, 2020 U.K. boy Farouk James can’t find school that will allow his long, natural hair; mother fights hair discrimination policyCBS News London, UK
Dec 20, 2019 NJ bans hair discrimination after wrestler forced to cut dreadlocks or forfeit his matchNorthJersey.com Buena, USA
Dec 2, 2019 Catholic schools are still cracking down on braids and cornrows despite anti-discrimination lawsYahoo New York, USA
Nov 12, 2019 CROWNing Glory: New York City Just Resolved Its First Hair Discrimination Case—and a Celebrity Stylist Is Going to PayThe Root New York, USA
Apr 3, 2019 Mother-Daughter Duo Demand Dominican Government Ban Hair Discrimination In SchoolsBET Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Feb 27, 2019 Mother of boy ordered to cut dreadlocks accuses school of racial discriminationMetro London, UK
Feb 23, 2019 When hair breaks rules: Some Black children are getting in trouble for natural hairstylesNBC News Florida, USA
Jan 31, 2019 Boys should be allowed to have long hair at school – Victoria Uni law professor Dr Dean KnightNewshub Auckland, New Zealand
Jan 10, 2019 Father sues school for sending home his dreadlocks-wearing daughterPunch Kenya
Dec 22, 2018 Referee's questionable call for wrestler to cut dreadlocksLink to be added New Jersey, USA
Nov 30, 2018 Dad Takes Legal Action Against School That Banned Son’s DreadlocksYahoo Apopka, USA
Sep 13, 2018 London school that told boy to cut off dreadlocks backs downThe Guardian London, UK
Aug 26, 2018 Tokyo Vanity Can Rest Easy after Judge Temporarily Blocks Niece’s School from Enforcing Natural Hair PolicyAtlanta Black Star Los Angeles, USA
Aug 22, 2018 ‘Unnatural’ hair causes Black girl to be expelled from Catholic schoolRolling Out Terrytown, USA
Aug 16, 2018 Florida school receiving death threats after turning away 6-year-old with dreadlocksUSA Today Florida, USA
Jul 11, 2018 Sydney barber who refused to cut girls’ hair settles discrimination case9News Sydney, Australia
Jul 8, 2018 I’ve learned to embrace my afro with confidence but employers are still discriminating against Black hairMetro London, UK
Jul 3, 2018 Temp Agency Says No Dreadlocks, Braids And Beards In ‘Discriminatory’ PolicyHuffPost UK Birmingham, UK
Apr 18, 2018 A Black woman lost a job offer because she wouldn’t cut her dreadlocks. Now she wants to go to the Supreme Court.Vox USA
Feb 28, 2018 A Visual History of Iconic Black HairstylesHistory.com —
Oct 9, 2017 Destiny Tompkins Files $1 Million Discrimination Lawsuit Against Banana Republic After Ex-Store Manager Called Her Braids ‘Too Urban’BET New York, USA
Sep 15, 2017 This Morning viewers furious at ‘racist’ school who banned boy with dreadlocks leaving his mother in tearsMirror —
Aug 23, 2017 Mother says North Texas school district’s ban on son’s long hair is gender discriminationDallas News Joshua, USA
Aug 17, 2017 Meet The Army Sergeant Who Fought The Army’s Ban On BraidsFacebook —
Jul 17, 2017 When Black Hair Violates The Dress CodeNPR —
May 26, 2017 Las Vegas Reporter Receives Racist Hate Mail Saying Her Hair Isn’t Properly CleanedBlavity —
May 21, 2017 Cook v. Mystic Valley Regional Charter SchoolACLU Massachusetts Massachusetts, USA
May 16, 2017 2 Black Students Question School Discipline For Hair ExtensionsWBUR Malden, USA
Mar 31, 2017 School hair furore shows basic misunderstanding of anti-discrimination lawSydney Morning Herald Bentleigh, Australia
Mar 28, 2017 Waitress Sent Home From Work for Wearing Her Natural Hair in a BunTeen Vogue Canada
Mar 20, 2017 Sisterlocks struggle: Stylists want fewer restrictions to braid hairBBC Washington, USA
Feb 24, 2017 Black Women Speak About Natural Hair Bias in the WorkplaceTeen Vogue USA
Nov 17, 2016 Natural hair in the workplace sparks legal debate in the Black community13WHAM —
Sep 22, 2016 U.S. Court Rules Dreadlock Ban During Hiring Process Is LegalNBC News —
Sep 1, 2016 South African students protest against school’s alleged racist hair policyCNN Pretoria, South Africa
Aug 31, 2016 Texas mother accuses high school of racial discrimination after coach ‘bans cheer squad’s only Black member from performing over her braided hair’Daily Mail Baytown, USA
Aug 4, 2016 Natural Hair Is “Extreme, Distracting” According to a Louisiana High School’s Dress CodeBeautycon —
May 15, 2016 ‘Wear a weave at work – your afro hair is unprofessional’BBC London, UK
Apr 11, 2016 Black worker claims Zara discriminated against her braid hairstyleMetro Toronto, Canada
Dec 14, 2015 Uniform board decision updates hair regulationsU.S. Marines —
Nov 25, 2015 Black Woman Loses Job Offer Because She Refused to Take Out Her BraidsBellaNaija USA
Apr 8, 2015 Former Hooters Waitress Awarded $250,000 in Racial Discrimination CaseNBC News Baltimore, USA
Mar 17, 2015 Young Black Montrealer claims she’s losing work over her hairGlobal News Montreal, Canada
Aug 26, 2014 Rastafarian Student Reportedly Punished At School Over DreadlocksHuffPost —
Apr 20, 2014 Army’s Ban on Some Popular Hairstyles Raises Ire of Black Female SoldiersThe New York Times —
Mar 18, 2014 Hair Makes the Man: Federal Appellate Court Says Short-Hair Requirement for Male Athletes Is Sex DiscriminationJustia Greensburg, USA
Feb 14, 2014 Lawsuit: Prison guard harassed over Rastafarian dreadlocks, beardThe Bakersfield Californian North Kern, USA
Feb 1, 2014 NFL Reporter Pam Oliver on Her Career & Mean TweetsYouTube —
Jan 11, 2014 11 Examples Highlighting the War Against Natural Black HairAtlanta Black Star —
Dec 3, 2013 Dreadlock Drawback: Baltimore School Backs Off Controversial Hair PolicyCBS News —
Nov 27, 2013 African-American Girl Faces Expulsion Over Natural HairYouTube —
Nov 26, 2013 Vanessa VanDyke Could Be Expelled After Having Her Hair MockedHuffPost —
Nov 26, 2013 Vanessa VanDyke Could Be Expelled After Having Her Hair MockedHuffPost —
Nov 26, 2013 Bullied 12-year-old girl is threatened with expulsion from school for refusing to cut her natural afro hairDaily Mail —
Oct 24, 2013 Company Policy Requires Missouri Woman To Cut Her Dreadlocks To Keep Her JobHuffPost —
Oct 17, 2013 Hundreds of women suing after hair loss, blaming 30-day smoothing kitCNN —
Sep 30, 2013 Mobile Catastrophic Insurance Claims Company Sued by EEOC for Race Discrimination over Hair PolicyEEOC —
Sep 11, 2013 Oklahoma school changes policy on dreadlockstheGrio —
Sep 10, 2013 School that barred 7-year-old’s dreadlocks changes dress-code policyTODAY —
Sep 4, 2013 Tulsa school sends girl home because ‘dreadlocks’ and ‘afros’ are too distractingRaw Story —
Sep 4, 2013 Comedian criticized for slamming nappy hairAJC —
Jun 25, 2013 Ohio School Apologizes After Attempting To Ban ‘Afro-Puffs’ And ‘Twisted Braids’HuffPost —
Aug 26, 2012 Hampton University’s Cornrows And Dreadlock Ban: Is It Right?HuffPost —
Jun 19, 2012 ACLU of Virginia Asks Prison to Rescind Racially Discriminatory Hairstyle PolicyACLU —
Jun 19, 2012 Is Six Flags Racist Against Dreadlocks?VICE USA
Jun 1, 2012 Six Flags: Stop Discriminating Against People With DreadlocksChange.org —
Aug 16, 2011 Lawrence Transportation Systems To Pay $30,000 To Settle EEOC Religious Discrimination LawsuitEEOC —
Jun 17, 2011 School’s refusal to let boy wear cornrow braids is ruled racial discriminationThe Guardian London, UK
Dec 21, 2010 Taylor family settles lawsuit with Auburn City SchoolsWTVM Auburn, USA
Apr 23, 2010 Women Denied Work at Park Because of DreadlocksWZAK —
Jul 1, 2009 Office of General Counsel Fiscal Year 2009 Annual ReportEEOC —
Jun 28, 2009 Dreadlock Discrimination, by Jewel C. SmithThe Bahamas Weekly USA
Jan 18, 2007 ACLU Files Racial Discrimination Lawsuit Against Virginia Beach Nightspot Over Hair PolicyACLU —
Jun 17, 2006 At Six Flags, the Don’ts of DosThe Washington Post —
Sep 18, 2000 ACLU Says Louisiana Dress Code Denies Rastafarian Children the Right to an EducationACLU —
Sep 23, 1987 Tatum, a restaurant cashier at the Hyatt hotel, was fired for wearing her hair in braidsThe New York Times Washington, USA
Dec 1, 1981 Rogers v. American Airlines, Inc., 527 F. Supp. 229 (S.D.N.Y. 1981)Justia New York, USA
Sep 1, 1975 Jenkins v. Blue Cross Mutual Hospital Insurance Inc.: a claim of hair discrimination in the workplaceCasetext USA
— Religious DiscriminationEEOC —
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