White Executive Fired Over Cornrows May Have Claim Under Maryland's CROWN Act

A White executive director for the Baltimore Rock Opera Society (BROS) was fired in September after facing backlash for wearing cornrows, a decision that an attorney argues could constitute discrimination under Maryland's CROWN Act.

Kelly Carnes, who began her role on Sept. 8, wore cornrows as a protective hairstyle after attending the Burning Man festival. A video of her with the hairstyle at a BROS event prompted accusations of cultural appropriation, leading to the organization publicly acknowledging the controversy. BROS stated it had received concerns from community members and was taking the matter seriously, regretting the removal of the video without explanation.

Attorney Jeremy Eldridge told WBFF Fox45 Baltimore that the public statements made by BROS about Carnes' hairstyle could serve as evidence if she challenges her dismissal. "When you're making comments publicly that lean into the discriminatory allegation made by the fired employees, that itself could be evidence of the fact that you were terminated wrongfully, meaning that it's discrimination under the crown," Eldridge explained.

Carnes stated that the BROS board advised her against attending a town hall meeting to discuss the controversy. She was subsequently dismissed days later and informed only that she was "not a good fit."

Maryland enacted its CROWN Act in 2020, which expands protections against race-based discrimination to include traits associated with race, such as hair texture, Afro hairstyles, and protective hairstyles like braids, twists, and locks. The Maryland Commission on Civil Rights indicates that the law applies to employment practices, including hiring, workplace conditions, discipline, and termination.

Eldridge noted that determining whether Carnes' firing violated Maryland law hinges on establishing the true motivation behind the organization's decision. "In evaluating whether the CROWN Act applies, meaning whether there was discrimination and whether this individual was terminated as for a discriminatory reason because of a hairstyle, we still have to deal with there are two competing narratives," he said.

The controversy has also led to significant changes within BROS. Four of the organization's six board members, including the chair, are expected to resign at the end of the year. A BROS spokesperson told WBAL that the organization is focused on its internal community and declined to comment further on Carnes' dismissal.

Carnes' tenure began with BROS touting her extensive experience in arts leadership, nonprofit strategy, communications, fundraising, and operations. Following the backlash, BROS announced plans to revise its anti-discrimination policy to address cultural representation and dress, implement anti-racism leadership training, and form a working group focused on racial equity and inclusion.