8th Annual Braid Freedom CROWN Act Parade & Festival

Help Us Crown Our Cause: Celebrate the 8th Annual Braid Freedom CROWN Act Parade and Festival!

Dear Supporters, Friends, and Beloved Community,

We stand before you with hearts full of hope and an urgent plea for your support. It's time to celebrate a historic victory and ensure that its message reverberates far and wide. We invite you to join us in making the Braid Freedom CROWN Act Parade & Festival a reality, a day of jubilation, empowerment, and unity!

The Isis Brantley Bill 2717 & the C.R.O.W.N. Act: A Triumph for Economic Freedom & Cultural Identity

In 1995, I was a single mother braiding hair to provide for my five children when the Cosmetology Board cited me for braiding hair without a license and would not come to reasonable terms with African-American Braiders. They continued to try to fit braiding into the cosmetology guidelines. They heightened their scrutiny of braiders and enforced unconstitutional policies. Then, in 1997 

seven police officers (two undercover and five uniformed officers) arrested and handcuffed me in front of my clients inside my salon. They took me out to their police car and put me inside it in front of my whole community. The crime? Braiding Hair without a Cosmetology License.

A jury trial ensued and I was convicted of the crime of Braiding Hair without a Cosmetology License, a license that didn't even exist. I was fined $600, there was an injunction placed on my salon (it was shut down), and I had to enroll in beauty school. And so I fought...

From there I had to get an attorney to help me fight for my Ancestral right to braid, twist, and lock hair. After 10 years they grandfathered me into the license system because there was no one to teach me how to braid hair. They took my curriculum and built a 35-hour braiding course around my intellectual property. Then, the Institute for Justice found me while lobbying in Austin, Texas, and became my representative to fight for my right to teach hair braiding, a battle that lasted another 10 years. It was then that Judge Sam Sparks ruled that it was unconstitutional for the State of Texas to impede the progress of my Ancestral cultural practice of hair braiding in that the practice was indeed older than himself - he was in his late 70s. The fight had gone on for almost 20 years at this point and on June 8th, 2015 Gov. Greg Abbot signed the landmark Isis Brantley Bill 2717, the Braid Freedom Act, into legislation making Texas the first state to recognize the right of African-American braiders to monetize our cultural practice of braiding hair.

Then, in 2019, the State of California made it illegal to discriminate based on natural and protective hairstyles in schools, the workplace, public places, etc. by enacting the C.R.O.W.N. Act, short for "Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair," another landmark piece of legislation aimed at ending hair discrimination. This act acknowledges that natural hair textures and styles have historically been used as a basis for discrimination in schools and workplaces, disproportionately affecting Melanated people. It ensures that everyone has the right to embrace their natural hair without fear of repercussions.

The passage of these Acts together represents a significant step forward in our ongoing battle for the economic opportunity to monetize our own cultural identity and to enjoy a Creative and Respectful, Open World for Natural Hair. But this recognition is just the beginning! Now, more than ever, we need to keep the momentum alive and raise our voices even higher because now that more and more states are adopting this legislation the real fight will now begin. So, get a chair. They are already running up!

The 8th Annual Braid Freedom CROWN Act Parade & Festival: A Day of Celebration and Empowerment

Imagine a vibrant and colorful parade filling the streets with joy and pride, where people of all backgrounds come together to celebrate diversity and unity. Picture a lively festival, filled with music, dance, art, and education, fostering a sense of belonging and empowerment for everyone.

That's exactly what the 8th Annual Braid Freedom CROWN Act Parade & Festival aims to be—a momentous occasion that not only celebrates our ancestral legacy but also encourages individuals to embrace their authentic selves, regardless of their hair texture or style. It's a day of love, understanding, and acceptance.

How You Can Make a Difference

But to make this dream a reality, we need your help! Our heartfelt crowdfunding campaign seeks your generous contributions to cover the costs of permits, event production, security, entertainment, and educational resources. So, please... Give generously. You won't regret the investment.

👑 $10 - BRAIDCROWN Supporter: Receive our eternal gratitude and a heartfelt thank you on our website.

👑 $25 - BRAIDCROWN Enthusiast: Get a digital 8th Annual Braid Freedom CROWN Act Parade and Festival postcard, plus a shoutout on social media.

👑 $50 - BRAIDCROWN Ambassador: Receive a limited-edition 8th Annual Braid Freedom CROWN Act Parade and Festival pin, a digital postcard, and social media recognition.

👑 $100 - BRAIDCROWN Advocate: Get a festival T-shirt, limited-edition pin, digital postcard, and social media shoutout.

👑 $250 - BRAIDCROWN Royalty: Enjoy VIP access to the festival, including priority seating and a meet-and-greet with the organizers, along with all previous perks.

👑 $500 - BRAIDCROWN Champion: Be recognized as an official festival sponsor, receive a special plaque, and enjoy all the perks of the Crown Royalty level.

Every Dollar Counts! 

Your support, no matter the amount, helps us bring this vision to life. Together, we can create an unforgettable celebration that champions diversity, equality, and the right to wear our natural crowns with pride.

Let's come together, parade our recognition, and celebrate our beautiful diversity. Help us make the 8th Annual Braid Freedom CROWN Act Parade & Festival an unforgettable testament to our shared legacy of equality.

Thank you for your generosity, love, and support!

With heartfelt gratitude,

Isis Brantley

NaturallyIsis

P.S. Share our campaign with your friends and family to spread the word and ensure that the 8th Annual Braid Freedom CROWN Act Parade & Festival becomes a resounding success! Together, we can make a difference and change lives. And remember, we're calling all drummers, poets, and singers! (For more info or to register as a drummer, poet, and singer send an email to BFCAFest@gmail.com) The Braid Freedom CROWN Act Parade & Festival is on the twenty-first of October! The parade lines up at 9:30 AM at Gould and MLK and the festival starts at 4 PM at Ann's Health Food Center located at 2634 S. Zang Blvd., Dallas, TX 75224. Saturday. October 21st. Come out and dance like no one's watching at the Braid Freedom CROWN Act Parade & Festival!