For any business owner, catering to a rapidly growing consumer base is always good advice. And while meeting the hair care needs of Black consumers is the right thing to do, it’s now the law in Connecticut, too.

On June 17, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont signed Public Act 24-53. When it goes into effect, the law will require the curriculum for barbers and hairdressers in the state to include more experience with textured hair, which is defined as hair that is curly, wavy or coiled. The legislation passed with strong bipartisan support.

“I want Connecticut to continue to be a leader here, and make sure that we can treat everybody with the care and love that they deserve,” said Lamont during a press conference at Vanity Studio Hair Salon and School of Cosmetology in Stamford.

Crown Act Companion

The law builds on 2021’s CROWN Act, which prohibits discrimination based on a person’s hair. Currently, there are 24 states, including Connecticut, with some kind of law preventing discrimination based on hair texture. With the signing of the law, Connecticut became the latest state with a training requirement. Similar legislation is in effect in Louisiana. New York is said to be developing a bill. Connecticut’s new law requires education and training in working with curl and wave patterns, hair strand thickness and volumes of hair.

Shaqueen Valentine, co-owner of Vanity Studio, said that the hair industry has long been segregated and that she wanted to change that.

“Our business was founded on the idea that, as a cosmetologist, one should know how to service all types of hair,” she said. 

Textured Hair Data

Consumers deserve it and it makes good business sense, too. The US population topped 335 million last year—an increase of just 0.53%. The US Census Bureau projects the country’s population will grow less than 10% by 2100, but the makeup of the country is rapidly changing and personal care companies, stylists must adapt to meet the needs of the changing consumer. According to the Census Bureau, the non-Hispanic white population will make up less than half of all people in the US, while the Hispanic or Latino population will grow to more than a quarter.

The non-Hispanic white population is projected to decrease from 58.9% in 2022 to 44.9% in 2060. The Hispanic or Latino portion of the population will increase the most of any group, from 19.1% in 2022 to 26.9% in 2060. The non-Hispanic Black population is expected to remain around 13%, growing from 12.6% in 2022 to 13.4% by the end of the century.

Corporate supporters of the new Connecticut law include Henkel, the German multinational with regional headquarters in Stamford. Henkel’s portfolio includes DevaCurl, a textured-hair brand. DevaCurl is a founding member of the Texture Education Collective, an alliance of hair industry leaders who work to make cosmetology state board licensing requirements and curriculums inclusive of all hair types.

Signing of the law came days before Juneteenth, the June 19 national holiday that marks the end of slavery in the US. The signing also came one day after The New York Times Magazine published an in-depth article on the damage caused by hair relaxers.

Dermatologist Sharleen St. Surin-Lord MD warned about the dangers of hair relaxers, and the chemicals in them, in a column more than two years ago.

St. Surin-Lord, who has offices in Maryland, applauded the passage of the CROWN Act and told Happi she contacted the Maryland State Senate to work on similar legislation.

Social Justice

During the signing ceremony at Vanity Studio, Connecticut State Senator Patricia Billie Miller said she didn’t realize cosmetology students did not receive adequate training for working with textured hair, and said she was empowered by other legislators to support the bill.

“For me, it’s about social justice; it’s about inclusivity and making sure there’s equity,” said Miller. “When somebody walks into a salon, they should be able to get the service they need.”

Miller is pleased that the legislation has been signed into law, but she said much more needs to be done. Up next? Miller wants legislation to ensure proper skincare services for all skin types.

“I was one of those individuals where doors were closed on me.”

The signing of Public Act 24-53 is another step in ensuring every door is open for everyone in the US.