There are certain conversations that reveal what we truly value.
The Florida CROWN Act is one of them.
This legislation — currently filed as SB 252 and HB 235 in the Florida Legislature — would prohibit discrimination in public K–20 schools based on natural hair texture and protective styles historically associated with race, including braids, locs, twists, and afros.
At its core, this is not just a policy debate.
It is a dignity conversation.
What the Bill Would Do
If passed, the Florida CROWN Act would:
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Prohibit discrimination in public schools based on natural hair texture or protective hairstyles.
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Extend protections within educational environments to ensure students are not disciplined, excluded, or denied opportunities because of hair historically associated with race.
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Apply to certain private schools participating in state scholarship programs.
The bills have been filed and are moving through the legislative process. They must pass committee hearings, then both chambers, before reaching the governor’s desk. If signed, the proposed effective date is July 1, 2026.
As of now, it is active legislation — not yet law.
Why This Conversation Exists
For many families, this issue is not theoretical.
Across the country, students have faced discipline or exclusion because their natural hair did not align with school grooming policies. While some view dress codes as neutral, others argue that traditional grooming standards have historically centered Eurocentric norms of professionalism.
That is what gave birth to the broader CROWN Act movement.
Hair is not just aesthetic.
It carries culture.
It carries history.
It carries identity.
And when children feel bad for what grows naturally from their scalp, the impact can reach beyond the classroom.
A Measured Perspective
It is possible to:
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Value school order and professionalism
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AND examine whether policies are applied equitably
It is possible to:
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Disagree respectfully
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AND acknowledge lived experiences
This conversation does not require outrage.
It requires thoughtfulness.
As people of faith, parents, educators, and community members, we have the responsibility to engage wisely — not reactively.
What You Can Do Right Now
Legislation moves when informed citizens pay attention.
Here are practical steps you can take:
1️⃣ Sign the Petition
If you support ending hair discrimination, you can add your name here:
👉 https://campaigns.organizefor.org/petitions/help-make-hair-discrimination-illegal
Signing a petition is not about being loud.
It is about being counted.
2️⃣ Stay Informed — Not Reactive
Before forming strong opinions:
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Read the actual language of SB 252 and HB 235 on the Florida Legislature website.
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Follow committee updates.
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Understand what the bill includes — and what it does not.
Wisdom is steady.
Reaction is impulsive.
3️⃣ Contact Your State Representative or Senator
Five minutes can make a difference.
Share:
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Why dignity in education matters to you.
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Why you support the bill.
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Your perspective as a parent, educator, or Florida resident.
Civic engagement is stewardship.
4️⃣ Start Conversations at Home
Policy shapes culture — but culture starts in the home.
Talk to your children about:
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Identity and confidence
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Cultural expression
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Respect for differences
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How laws impact communities
Formation happens before legislation.
5️⃣ Pray & Practice What We Preach
If we believe every person is made in the image of God, then:
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Our tone should reflect grace.
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Our engagement should reflect wisdom.
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Our policies should reflect dignity.
Pray for lawmakers.
Pray for discernment.
Pray for justice anchored in humility.
Justice does not require hostility.
It requires consistency.
Here are the key people directly involved in making the Florida CROWN Act active in the 2026 legislative session, based on the official bill filings and public reporting:
⚖️ Legislators Who Filed and Sponsored the Bill
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Senator Shevrin Jones (D-Miami Gardens) — He is the primary sponsor of Senate Bill 252, the Florida CROWN Act, officially titled “Prohibited Discrimination Based on Hairstyle.” His leadership brought the measure forward in the Senate and helped it get introduced and referred to committees.
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Representative Fentrice Driskell (D-Tampa) — As House Democratic Leader, she filed the companion House Bill 235, which is identical to the Senate version. Her role is crucial for getting the bill introduced on the House side and raising awareness among other House members.
🏛️ Co-Sponsors in the Senate
In addition to Senator Jones, multiple senators are listed as co-sponsors on SB 252, showing broader legislative support among Democratic and some bipartisan lawmakers:
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Sen. Lavon Bracy Davis
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Sen. Rosalind Osgood
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Sen. Bobby Powell
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Sen. Darryl Rouson
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Sen. Shevrin Jones (bill sponsor)
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and others who formally backed the bill’s filing.
🧠 Advocates and Voices Behind the Scenes
Legislators didn’t work in isolation — community activists, organizations, and advocates also played a role in building momentum:
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Civil rights advocacy groups (such as local NAACP chapters, advocacy coalitions like Black Girls Govern, and other grassroots organizations) have been encouraging lawmakers to bring the CROWN Act forward and speaking publicly about the real experiences of students and families facing hair discrimination. Their stories and outreach helped create the environment in which lawmakers decided to refile the bill for the 2026 session.
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Statehouse supporters, including some educational equity advocates and parents, have been present at press conferences and committee appearances to share personal testimony about why hair discrimination matters in educational settings.
