UConn Hosts Fifth CROWN Day Hair Event

Students received free protective hairstyles at the University of Connecticut's fifth CROWN Day, held Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026.

Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in African-American

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The University of Connecticut hosted its fifth CROWN Day on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026, offering students free hairstyling services from local businesses and student organizations. The event was hosted by the African American Cultural Center, the Puerto Rican Latin American Cultural Center, and the Center for Access & Postsecondary Success program.

Why it matters

The event is intended to provide hair resources in a region where few are available to students with natural hair. Because haircare costs money, the free services reduce a financial burden for students.

Past CROWN Day surveys found 24% of attendees typically traveled one to three hours for haircare, and 11% traveled over three hours. The fifth event follows the first UConn CROWN Day, held in 2021.

The players

University of Connecticut

A public land-grant research university whose Storrs campus hosts the CROWN Day event.

African American Cultural Center

A UConn campus center that co-hosted CROWN Day and required students to attend its CROWN Act program.

The details

Students had to schedule appointments in advance and attend a mandatory CROWN Act program hosted by the African American Cultural Center before receiving services. Services included protective hairstyles such as braids, locs, and silk presses, held in the forum of Peter J. Werth Residence Tower in partnership with the BSOUL and ScHOLA²RS learning communities.

2019: California passed the CROWN Act banning race-based hair discrimination.
March 2021: Connecticut ratified the CROWN Act into state law.
2021: The first UConn CROWN Day was held.
Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026: The fifth CROWN Day provided services to students.
Fall and spring each year: CROWN Day is held twice a year at UConn.

Roadmap

The CROWN Act, passed in California in 2019, has since been adopted into state law in Connecticut, which ratified it in March 2021. UConn's CROWN Day, first held in 2021, applies that legal protection to campus life by putting hair services within reach of students.

Students who rely on protective hairstyles can access services at no cost during CROWN Day, which is held twice a year. Because appointments must be scheduled in advance, students should plan ahead to attend future events.

The takeaway

Campus haircare access can meaningfully reduce travel and cost barriers for students with natural hair. Students interested in future CROWN Day events should watch for fall and spring scheduling announcements.