The Courier-Journal (Louisville)

Beshear addresses hair styles, Juneteenth

Governor signs pair of executive orders

Gov. Andy Beshear signed two executive orders honoring Black history and protecting hair discrimina­tion in the workplace on Thursday.

The executive orders that were signed during Beshear’s weekly Team Kentucky update makes Juneteenth an executive branch holiday and protects natural hairstyles with an effort that mirrors the “CROWN act.”

Juneteenth, which is celebrated on June 19, is a federal holiday that commemorat­es the end of slavery in the U.S. The holiday was originally celebrated in 1865 when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced that more than 250,000 enslaved Black people were free two years after the Emancipati­on Proclamati­on was made effective.

Other cities, such as Louisville, have recognized Juneteenth as a holiday for city workers since 2022.

“This action will finally give this historic moment the recognitio­n that it deserves,” Beshear said.

In 2023, at least 28 states and Washington, D.C., recognized Juneteenth as a public holiday, where state government offices are closed and state workers have a paid day off.

State Senate Minority Leader Gerald Neal said he has filed legislatio­n since 2022 that would make Juneteenth an official state holiday, but the bill stalled in committee multiple times.

“Recognizin­g Juneteenth as an official state holiday honors the legacy and contributi­ons of African Americans to our nation’s history,” Neal said.

Meanwhile, the executive order that mirrors the CROWN act, which stands for creating a respectful and open world for natural hair, prohibits discrimina­tion in the workplace against hairstyles historical­ly associated with race.

In Louisville, the Metro Council previously passed its own version of the act in 2021 by including hairstyles as part of the city’s anti-discrimina­tion laws.

The measure is something that the

state legislatur­e has tried to pass for years, but it’s never made it across the finish line.

This year, bills were filed in both the state House and Senate, and Jefferson County Public School students rallied at the state Capitol in support of the legislatio­n.

Past concerns with the legislatio­n include whether the bill would infringe on the rights of private businesses.

Beshear said his executive order helps set a standard for fair and inclusive workplaces.

“I’ve always believed diversity is an asset, and across Kentucky we are building a brighter future for all of us, with a diverse workforce full of talented, hardworkin­g Kentuckian­s from all different background­s,” Beshear said.

Melinda Wofford, assistant director of the Transporta­tion Cabinet, said that the executive order recognized cultural uniqueness and helps make everyone feel comfortabl­e and confident to reach their potential.

“The way my hair looks is not a reflection of my work ethic, and definitely not a reflection of my character,” Wofford said. “This order makes possible the freedom needed for me to continue to wear my hair in its natural state.”

Reach reporter Hannah Pinski at @hpinski@courier-journal.com or follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @hannahpins­ki