New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer along with Assemblymembers Diana Richardson (D-Crown Heights, Prospect Lefferts Gardens, Wingate, East Flatbush) Charles D Fall (D- Staten Island), Latoya Joyner (D-Bronx), yesterday called on Secretary of State Rossana Rosado in a joint letter to appoint an African hair braider to the New York Appearance Enhancement Advisory Committee (NYAEAC).
The NYAEAC is made up of nine industry professionals who work on a volunteer basis. The agency teams with the state Division of Licensing Services and together they work to improve production on the overall industry through setting policies on licensing and training conditions, as well as through education and communication.
“In New York City, our immigrant communities contribute to not only our cultural richness but our economic vitality,” said Stringer. “African hair braiders across the city come from all walks of life and their voices should be heard by our State government in employment, licensing, and registration.
In a joint letter to Rosado, the lawmakers called for the State to promote policies and practices that are well-informed, culturally appropriate and inclusive of all immigrant communities employed in the diverse hairstyling industry.
This letter comes on the back of the Commission on Human Rights arguing that hair is inextricably connected to an individual’s race and therefore protected under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act which “prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex and national origin.”
The New York City Commission of Human Rights declared its commitment in 2019 to protect African American folks legal rights to wear their hair naturally; be it afro, corntwists, or locs. Additionally, the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission issued a document that explains what constitutes as unfair action based on one’s physical characteristics in the workplace.
“We know that you and we share the goal of making government fully representative of the communities it serves and promoting cultural awareness within our policymaking,” the Lawmakers wrote.
The Department of State (DOS) responded to Kings County Politics that it is committed to empowering and creating opportunities for all New Yorkers.
“The Department is currently reviewing potential candidates for the hairstylist vacancy on the State Appearance Enhancement Council. We welcome the elected officials to provide us with the names of any qualified candidates to help strengthen the council,” said DOS Spokesperson Erin McCarthy.
The NYAEAC is required to have a minimum of three meetings per year regarding the appearance enhancement professions and requirements. The next meeting is Tuesday, Feb 4.
