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Celebrating Black History Month at Stradley Ronon: A Focus on the Roots and Progress of the C.R.O.W.N. Act

March 22, 2023
Firm News

PHILADELPHIA – As part of Stradley Ronon’s celebration of Black History Month, the firm’s Black and African American Engagement Group hosted a CLE presentation on March 8, titled, “The C.R.O.W.N. Act: Understanding Hair Discrimination, Current Laws and Policies.” This presentation was designed to elevate awareness and knowledge of the C.R.O.W.N. Act – which stands for Create a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair, which prohibits race discrimination because of hair texture or protective hairstyles. The event was moderated and organized by Associate Linsay Sobers and featured Danielle Banks and Ellen Rosen Rogoff, both of whom are partners in the firm’s employment law group. The event was hosted by Chief Diversity Officer and Partner Brian Seaman.

“I was thrilled to support and bring attention to the C.R.O.W.N. Act to our firm community and clients,” said Sobers. “It’s vital to discuss these issues not only during Black History Month but throughout the year, to raise our collective voices on important topics that impact our day-to-lives.”

The presentation was live-streamed and held in person at the firm’s Philadelphia office, with more than 200 attendees. The panel covered a variety of topics, including:

  • The history and importance of the C.R.O.W.N. Act.
  • Federal, state and local anti-discrimination laws and the impact on hair discrimination challenges.
  • Momentum of the C.R.O.W.N. Act movement since its inception in 2019, with 20 states and 44 different cities enacting similar C.R.O.W.N. Act legislation.
  • Best practices for employers to promote an inclusive work environment.

The event concluded with a question and answer session with the speakers led by Legal Practice Assistant Carly McIntosh. To watch a replay of the program, please click here.

Stradley Ronon’s Diversity Committee hosts training and education events for many reasons, to highlight the accomplishments and challenges of diverse and female members of the firm, to take action in support of our core values of equity and diversity and to amplify the voices of individuals whose stories may not be heard on a regular basis. To learn more about the firm’s past offerings, visit our Resources, Publications & Media.

About Stradley Ronon
Counseling clients since 1926, Stradley Ronon has helped private and public companies – from small businesses to Fortune 500 corporations – achieve their goals by providing pragmatic, value-driven legal counsel. With offices in eight strategic locations, our responsive team of more than 200 attorneys seamlessly addresses the full spectrum of our clients’ needs, ranging from sophisticated corporate transactions to complex commercial litigation.

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