New Haven, Michigan (February 26, 2022). On Saturday, February 26, 2022, the Omega Xi Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, presents “The CROWN ACT - A Historic, Legislative and Artistic Journey.” This virtual exhibition and presentation will examine the history, importance, and the current initiative to Create a Respectful and Open World for Natural hair. The event will take place via Zoom from 1:00pm to 2:30pm. Free and open to the public, registration is required: https://tinyurl.com/CrownAct1.
The CROWN ACT virtual event is designed to educate, motivate, and inspire informed conversations and discussion that lead to establishing greater Macomb County as a community that embraces the ideal of equality for all individuals despite their different hair textures. A 2021 Crown Research Study for Girls found that one in two Black girls can experience hair discrimination as early as five years old, while a 2019 Dove study found that Black women are 1.5 times more likely to be sent home from a workplace because of their hair. “A primary goal of our event is to raise awareness of the proposed CROWN Act legislation here in Michigan. If passed, this legislation would prohibit race-based hair discrimination and the denial of professional advancement, employment and educational opportunities or sports participation for youth because of hair texture or protective hairstyles such as twists or braids," states Robyn Murphy, Ph.D., The Arts! Chairman of AKA Sorority, Omega Xi Omega chapter. “Additionally, and equally as important, this exhibition and event will also showcase and celebrate the beauty of natural hair and serve as an affirmation of pride and confidence for all the girls, boys, women and men of color who wear or are in support of natural hair styles,” concludes Murphy.
There will be a mixture of presentations and information sessions regarding the history and current state of natural hair acceptance and the black experience. State Representative Sarah Anthony will discuss the reintroduction of the CROWN Act in Michigan. In addition, there will be a panel discussion moderated by Stacey Deering, Public Programs Director, The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History and Ph.D. candidate in Political Science. The panel will include Tanesha Kelly Garrett, Miss Michigan 2022; Carol Allen Sullivan, Executive Director, Interfaith Center for Racial Justice, and Beyond Glamourous Beauty Company Owner Vonshay Sheppard.
Omega Xi Omega is committed to providing services, support, and education to the community. For more information on The Crown Act and other activities planned during Black History Month, please visit the Omega Xi Omega chapter Facebook page at @AKA08PPP, its website at www.akaoxo.org or Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. at www.aka1908.org.
Interview Opportunities:
Pamela Tinsley, President, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Omega Xi Omega Chapter
Corri Lynn Wofford, Historian & Black History Month Chairman, AKA Sorority, Inc., Omega Xi Omega Chapter
Robyn Murphy Ph.D., Target IV The Arts! Chairman, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Omega Xi Omega Chapter
Sarah Anthony, Michigan State Representative 68th House District
Stacey Deering, Ph.D. Political Science candidate and Public Programs Director, The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History

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About Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® (AKA) is an international service organization that was founded on the campus of Howard University in Washington, DC in 1908. It is the oldest Greek-lettered organization established by African American, college-educated women. Alpha Kappa Alpha is comprised of nearly 300,000 members in 1,024 graduate and undergraduate chapters in the United States, Liberia, the Bahamas, the US Virgin Islands, Germany, South Korea, Bermuda, Japan, Canada, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates. Led by International President Glenda Baskin Glover, Alpha Kappa Alpha is often hailed as “America’s premier Greek letter organization for African-American women.” For more information on Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and its programs, visit www.aka1908.com

About Omega Xi Omega Chapter
Omega Xi Omega chapter was chartered in New Haven/Macomb County, Michigan on December 11, 2016. Omega Xi Omega carries out the sorority's mission of "Service to all Mankind" through various philanthropic endeavors benefitting women, children, the elderly and those in need in the New Haven/greater Macomb County community.