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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. 

News Story City Countrty Date
Judge dismisses most claims in federal lawsuit filed by Black Texas student punished over hairstyle Galveston USA 8/6/2024
Ex-Flight Attendant Who Quit Her Job Because of Stress Caused By Being Asked to Change Her Hairstyle Loses Discrimination Lawsuit London UK 7/30/2024
An Illinois man alleges he was fired by a Des Moines company for not cutting his dreadlocks Des Moines USA 7/15/2024
Houchens Food Group to Pay $40,000 in EEOC Religious Discrimination Lawsuit INDIANAPOLIS USA 6/28/2024
N.J. influencer Samiyah Gaddy sues Ebin New York for alleged racial discrimination and harassment New York USA 6/13/2024
Ye Sued for Allegedly Discriminating Against Black Staff, Demanding Employee Cut Off His Locs Simi Valley USA 4/26/2024
Coils & Kinks KKKarma: Medical Supply Company Ordered To Pay $50K To Black Employee Fired Over ‘Unprofessional’ Natural Hair USA 4/12/2024
American Screening settles EEOC case of racial hair discrimination Shreveport USA 4/10/2024
CT NAACP: Enfield ShopRite employee faced discrimination because of hair color Connecticut USA 3/13/2024
Referees Accused Of Discrimination After Black Basketball Player Barred From Game Due To Hair Beads Maplewood USA 1/25/2024
A Black actor was denied a wig for a major Broadway tour. She’s now suing for racial discrimination USA 1/18/2024
I Went Up Against the Texas Legal System’s Anti-Trans Hair Policy — And Won Texas USA 1/10/2024
Maryland Twisters Get Rocked by Discrimination Allegation Surrounding a 7-Year-Old Cheerleader Over Hair Policy Upheaval Maryland USA 12/19/2023
https://rollingout.com/2023/12/07/cop-says-city-misled-him-to-cut-locs/ Atlanta USA 12/7/2023
Michigan hair salon charged with discrimination over social media posts Traverse USA 11/16/2023
A Black New Jersey police officer has filed a lawsuit alleging that she was discriminated against for wearing a particular hairstyle. New Jersey USA 11/15/2023
Black 7-Year-Old Kicked Off Cheer Team After Fight Over Her Hair (msn.com) Maryland USA 11/10/2023
Maplewood cop with traditional African hairstyle sues for hair discrimination Maplewood USA 11/9/2023
Duke Revises Policy to Prevent Race-Based Hair Discrimination 9/26/2023
Black student in Texas suspended twice for hairstyle despite state ban on racial discrimination Mont Belvieu USA 9/18/2023
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 hair (msn.com) Houston USA 8/31/2023
Cheer coach resigns after parents say CMS cheer safety policy banning braids, wigs is discriminatory Charlotte USA 8/19/2023
Discrimination | Fast-food worker with blonde braids sent home for having ‘unnatural’ hair Harrisburg USA 8/15/2023
No free-for-all – Judges rule there must be limits on freedom of expression in dreadlocks case St Catherine Jamaica 7/31/2023
They Asked Me To Cut My 6-Year-Old Son’s Hair. I Taught Them About Native Cultural Erasure. (yahoo.com) North Carolina USA 7/27/2023
A black schoolgirl spent two days in isolation because of an “inappropriate hairstyle”, her mum said. Walsall UK 7/6/2023
SA study calls for more culturally sensitive school policies amid reports of hair discrimination South Africa 6/22/2023
Louisiana Slidell lawsuit child hair style Slidell USA 6/20/2023
Testimony of Janai S. Nelson Associate Director-Counsel NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. Before the United State House of Representatives Committee on Homeland Security Hearing on Perspectives on TSA’s Policies to Prevent Unlawful Policing USA 6/4/2023
Bozoma Saint John’s Latest Partnership Takes On Hair Discrimination In The Workplace USA 5/24/2023
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. 5/15/2023
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. Hollywood USA 5/14/2023
Cam Newton Believes His Dreadlocks Are The Reason Why He’s Not Signed To The NFL: ‘I’m Not Changing’ Atlanta USA 5/10/2023
Fired over dreadlocks, an Alabama woman sued and won $800,000 Alabama USA 4/23/2023
Ritz job applicant informed of afro hair ban says hotel apology ‘disingenuous’ London UK 4/12/2023
After asking Native American boy to cut his hair, Leland school accused of discrimination San Jose USA 3/21/2023
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. Raleigh USA 3/16/2023
Black women struggle to fight hair discrimination in corporate America COLUMBUS USA 3/2/2023
‘My hair is not my character’: Teens ask San Antonio council to ban natural hair discrimination San Antonio USA 3/2/2023
You need representation’: Durham student advocates to end hair-based discrimination Durham USA 3/1/2023
Native moms who sued school after hair cutting support bill seeking to protect students’ religious, cultural freedom USA 2/26/2023
Applicant’s refusal to cut dreadlocks was protected by Title VII, EEOC says Kentucky USA 1/10/2023
Tatum ISD hair discrimination lawsuit in federal court 10/20/2022
Family calls O’Gorman High School dress code ‘culturally biased’ (argusleader.com) Sioux Falls USA 8/29/2022
How Nathalie Emmanuel Fought Hair Discrimination On Set USA 8/17/2022
How Nathalie Emmanuel Fought Hair Discrimination On Set 8/17/2022
Black women embrace wearing ‘natural’ hair at work Delaware USA 8/8/2022
Mass. just banned hair discrimination. These twins helped pave the way. Boston USA 7/29/2022
Hong Kong teen challenging school policy on long hair for boys lodges complaint to equality watchdog, citing ‘gender dysphoria’ Hong Kong China 7/20/2022
Perspective | My granddaughter could still face discrimination for her natural hair 5/10/2022
Targeted hair discrimination at East Bernard school, says mother East Bernard USA 5/7/2022
Another Black Texas Student Faces Hair Discrimination Needville USA 5/2/2022
Texas high school policy banning braided or twisted hair has stopped a teen from attending school, his mom says Houston USA 4/29/2022
Texas high school policy banning braided or twisted hair has stopped a teen from attending school, his mom says Houston USA 4/29/2022
A youth soccer player was ejected from a Bucks County game for wearing hair beads Philadelphia USA 4/29/2022
6 Kids Speak Out Against Hair Discrimination New York USA 4/22/2022
“Why Are You Contouring My Nose?” Black Canadian Actors Share Their Experiences with Hair and Makeup Discrimination Canada 3/26/2022
CNN Settles Racial Discrimination Lawsuit Filed by Black Manager of Hair and Makeup Department Washington USA 3/17/2022
Black Women on Body Discrimination, From Colorism to Natural Hair Discrimination 12/15/2021
Basketball Australia apologizes for hair rule Tiffany Mitchell called out Melbourne Australia 12/14/2021
San Diego man sues employer for discrimination over natural hair style San Diego USA 12/6/2021
7 TIMES A BLACK PERSON WAS DISCRIMINATED AGAINST BECAUSE OF THEIR NATURAL HAIR Texas USA 12/6/2021
A Black job applicant is suing over hair discrimination, but the company says it was a misunderstanding San Diego USA 12/4/2021
A Black job applicant is suing over hair discrimination, but the company says it was a misunderstanding Florida USA 12/4/2021
Black woman fired for wearing natural hair instead of a wig, Louisiana lawsuit says Shreveport USA 10/28/2021
American Screening Sued by EEOC for Race Discrimination | U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Shreveport USA 10/27/2021
ACLU sues Magnolia ISD over male students’ hair length policy MAGNOLIA USA 10/22/2021
Hair discrimination should be designated as a form of racism, campaigners and MPs say UK 10/20/2021
Michigan Man Alleges Racial Discrimination in $1 Million Lawsuit Against School Whose Employee Cut Daughter’s Hair Michigan USA 9/18/2021
US man files $1m lawsuit after Michigan teacher cuts child’s hair Michigan USA 9/16/2021
A Lawsuit Alleges That an Albuquerque Middle School Discriminated Against a Black Student Due to Her Hair Albuquerque USA 8/1/2021
Rockville Catholic school’s hairstyle policies face scrutiny for racial discrimination Rockville USA 7/8/2021
Family accuses school head of discrimination over hair braids Larnaca Cyprus 6/28/2021
How a dreadlocked student sparked a movement for Black hair politics Ghana West Africa 6/9/2021
Rooted: 3 North Texas men with loc’d hairstyle were told ‘cut your hair to get the job’ Dallas USA 5/27/2021
Black lawmaker wearing her hair natural fights for right of all Black women to do the same USA 5/17/2021
Black high school softball player told to remove beads cuts hair (usatoday.com) Durham England 5/13/2021
Umps tell Black NC softball player to cut her hair during a game. ‘It was humiliating’ North carolina USA 5/12/2021
After Suspending an 11-Year-Old Black Boy for Wearing Braids, Texas School District Faces Lawsuit Troy USA 4/19/2021
After West Side School Forces 4-Year-Old To Remove His Braids, Parents Ask: Why Are We Policing Black Children’s Hair? Chicago USA 3/18/2021
This family fought a West Side school’s ban on Black hair styles — and now Illinois could ban hair discrimination Chicago USA 3/17/2021
Japan Hair Controversy Highlights Harmful School Policies Osaka Japan 2/22/2021
Halo Collective: It’s time to end hair discrimination in British schools South London UK 12/17/2020
16-Year-Old Black Student With Natural Hair Asked By School To ‘Get Her Hair Done 12/6/2020
Join Us In The Fight To Eradicate Hair Discrimination UK 11/23/2020
Judge Rules Banning Dreadlocks In The Workplace Is Not Discrimination Mobile USA 10/26/2020
Texas school district’s dreadlocks ban discriminatory, federal court rules Houston USA 8/18/2020
As a Black woman, I faced hair discrimination on my second day in the Navy USA 7/2/2020
Ruby Williams: No child with afro hair should suffer like me London UK 2/10/2020
Pupil repeatedly sent home from school over afro hair wins £8,500 payout London UK 2/7/2020
U.K. boy Farouk James can’t find school that will allow his long, natural hair; mother fights hair discrimination policy London UK 1/28/2020
NJ bans hair discrimination after wrestler forced to cut dreadlocks or forfeit his match Buena USA 12/20/2019
Catholic schools are still cracking down on braids and cornrows despite anti-discrimination laws New York USA 12/2/2019
CROWNing Glory: New York City Just Resolved Its First Hair Discrimination Case—and a Celebrity Stylist Is Going to Pay New York USA 11/12/2019
Mother-Daughter Duo Demand Dominican Government Ban Hair Discrimination In Schools: Exclusive Santo Domingo Dominican Republic 4/3/2019
Mother of boy ordered to cut dreadlocks accuses school of racial discrimination London UK 2/27/2019
When hair breaks rules: Some black children are getting in trouble for natural hairstyles Florida USA 2/23/2019
Boys should be allowed to have long hair at school – Victoria Uni law professor Dr Dean Knight Auckland New Zealand 1/31/2019
Father sues school for sending home his dreadlocks-wearing daughter Kenya 1/10/2019
DAD TAKES LEGAL ACTION AGAINST SCHOOL THAT BANNED SON’S DREADLOCKS Apopka USA 11/30/2018
London school that told boy to cut off dreadlocks backs down London UK 9/13/2018
Tokyo Vanity Can Rest Easy after Judge Temporarily Blocks Niece’s School from Enforcing Natural Hair Policy Los Angeles USA 8/26/2018
‘Unnatural’ hair causes Black girl to be expelled from Catholic school Terrytown USA 8/22/2018
Florida school receiving death threats after turning away 6-year-old with dreadlocks Florida USA 8/16/2018
Sydney barber who refused to cut girls hair settles discrimination case Sydney Australia 7/11/2018
I’ve learned to embrace my afro with confidence but employers are still discriminating against black hair London UK 7/8/2018
Temp Agency Says No Dreadlocks, Braids And Beards In ‘Discriminatory’ Policy Birmingham UK 7/3/2018
A black woman lost a job offer because she wouldn’t cut her dreadlocks. Now she wants to go to the Supreme Court. US USA 4/18/2018
A Visual History of Iconic Black Hairstyles 2/28/2018
Destiny Tompkins Files $1 Million Discrimination Lawsuit Against Banana Republic After Ex-Store Manager Called Her Braids ‘Too Urban’ New York USA 10/9/2017
This Morning viewers furious at ‘racist’ school who banned boy with dreadlocks leaving his mother in tears 9/15/2017
Mother says North Texas school district’s ban on son’s long hair is gender discrimination Joshua USA 8/23/2017
Meet The Army Sergeant Who Fought The Army’s Ban On Braids 8/17/2017
When Black Hair Violates The Dress Code 7/17/2017
Las Vegas Reporter Receives Racist Hate Mail Saying Her Hair Isn’t Properly Cleaned 5/26/2017
COOK V. MYSTIC VALLEY REGIONAL CHARTER SCHOOL Massachusetts USA 5/21/2017
2 Black Students Question School Discipline For Hair Extensions Malden USA 5/16/2017
School hair furore shows basic misunderstanding of anti-discrimination law Bentleigh Austrailia 3/31/2017
Waitress Sent Home From Work for Wearing Her Natural Hair in a Bun Canada 3/28/2017
Sisterlocks struggle: Stylists want fewer restrictions to braid hair Washington USA 3/20/2017
Black Women Speak About Natural Hair Bias in the Workplace USA 2/24/2017
Natural hair in the workplace sparks legal debate in the black community 11/17/2016
U.S. Court Rules Dreadlock Ban During Hiring Process Is Legal 9/22/2016
South African students protest against school’s alleged racist hair policy Pretoria South Africa 9/1/2016
Texas mother accuses high school of racial discrimination after coach ‘bans cheer squad’s only black member from performing over her braided hair’ Baytown USA 8/31/2016
Natural Hair Is “Extreme, Distracting” According to a Louisiana High School’s Dress Code 8/4/2016
Wear a weave at work – your afro hair is unprofessional’ London UK 5/15/2016
Black worker claims Zara discriminated against her braid hairstyle Toronto Canada 4/11/2016
Uniform board decision updates hair regulations 12/14/2015
Black Woman Loses Job Offer Because She Refused to Take Out Her Braids USA 11/25/2015
Former Hooters Waitress Awarded $250,000 in Racial Discrimination Case Baltimore USA 4/8/2015
Young black Montrealer claims she’s losing work over her hair – Montreal | Globalnews.ca Montreal Canada 3/17/2015
Rastafarian Student Reportedly Punished At School Over Dreadlocks 8/26/2014
Army’s Ban on Some Popular Hairstyles Raises Ire of Black Female Soldiers 4/20/2014
Hair Makes the Man: Federal Appellate Court Says Short-Hair Requirement for Male Athletes Is Sex Discrimination Greensburg USA 3/18/2014
Lawsuit: Prison guard harassed over Rastafarian dreadlocks, beard North Kern USA 2/14/2014
NFL Reporter Pam Oliver on Her Career & Mean Tweets 2/1/2014
11 Examples Highlighting the War Against Natural Black Hair 1/11/2014
Dreadlock Drawback: Baltimore School Backs Off Controversial Hair Policy 12/3/2013
African-American Girl Faces Expulsion Over Natural Hair 11/27/2013
Vanessa VanDyke Could Be Expelled After Having Her Hair Mocked 11/26/2013
Vanessa VanDyke Could Be Expelled After Having Her Hair Mocked 11/26/2013
Bullied 12-year-old girl is threatened with expulsion from school for refusing to cut her natural afro hair 11/26/2013
Company Policy Requires Missouri Woman To Cut Her Dreadlocks To Keep Her Job 10/24/2013
Hundreds of women suing after hair loss, blaming 30-day smoothing kit 10/17/2013
Mobile Catastrophic Insurance Claims Company Sued by EEOC for Race Discrimination over Hair Policy 9/30/2013
Oklahoma school changes policy on dreadlocks 9/11/2013
School that barred 7-year-old’s dreadlocks changes dress-code policy 9/10/2013
Tulsa school sends girl home because ‘dreadlocks’ and ‘afros’ are too distracting 9/4/2013
Comedian criticized for slamming nappy hair 9/4/2013
Ohio School Apologizes After Attempting To Ban ‘Afro-Puffs’ And ‘Twisted Braids’ 6/25/2013
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/hampton-university-cornrows-dreadlock-ban_n_1826349 8/26/2012
Hampton University’s Cornrows And Dreadlock Ban: Is It Right? 8/26/2012
ACLU of Virginia Asks Prison to Rescind Racially Discriminatory Hairstyle Policy 6/19/2012
Six Flags: Stop Discriminating Against People With Dreadlocks 6/1/2012
Lawrence Transportation Systems To Pay $30,000 To Settle EEOC Religious Discrimination Lawsuit Moving Company Denied Qualified Applicant Religious Accommodation 8/16/2011
School’s refusal to let boy wear cornrow braids is ruled racial discrimination London UK 6/17/2011
Taylor family settles lawsuit with Auburn City Schools Auburn USA 12/21/2010
Women Denied Work at Park Because of Dreadlocks 4/23/2010
Dreadlock Discrimination By Jewel C. Smith Jun 28, 2009 – 10:13:30 PM USA 6/28/2009
ACLU Files Racial Discrimination Lawsuit Against Virginia Beach Nightspot Over Hair Policy 1/18/2007
At Six Flags, the Don’ts of Dos 6/17/2006
ACLU Says Louisiana Dress Code Denies Rastafarian Children the Right to an Education 9/18/2000
Tatum, a restaurant cashier at the Hyatt hotel, was fired for wearing her hair in braids Washington USA 9/23/1987
Rogers v. American Airlines, Inc., 527 F. Supp. 229 (S.D.N.Y. 1981) New York USA 12/1/1981
” Jenkins v. Blue Cross Mutual Hospital Insurance Inc: This case involved a claim of hair discrimination in the workplace” USA 9/1/1975
OFFICE OF GENERAL COUNSEL FISCAL YEAR 2009 ANNUAL REPORT 7/1/1905
Religious Discrimination
Is Six Flags Racist Against Dreadlocks? USA 6/19/2012

 

If you find this read valuable, please share. For more support download my book: BAD Hair Uprooted, the Untold History of Black Follicles. 


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