Mel B is taking the fight against hair discrimination to parliament for World Afro Day

Mel B has joined this year’s World Afro Day campaign, to affect change when it comes to hair discrimination in the UK.

The campaign will urge MPs to update the Equality Act in order to make afro hair a protected characteristic. If it is successful, the UK would be the first Western country to introduce law to end afro hair discrimination.

“The very first video shoot I did as a Spice Girl for Wannabe, the stylists took one look at my hair and told me it had to be straightened,” Mel said. “My big hair didn’t fit the pop star mould. But I stood my ground – backed by my girls – and I sang and danced as me, with my big hair, my brown skin and I was totally proud of who I was.

“So yes, I’m proud to support World Afro Day in its call for the Equality Act to protect against afro hair discrimination in the UK.”

An open letter, signed by 100 campaigners including Mel, Labour MP Paulette Hamilton, Beverley Knight and Fleur East, warns that “omission of hair as a protected characteristic from the law has facilitated everyday discrimination and the normalisation of afro hair as inferior in every sphere of life”.

The campaign is set to host a drop-in clinic at Parliament with Hamilton and World Afro Day founder Michelle De Leon with their children, in order to “focus on the change for the next generation”.

“As Birmingham’s first black MP, and as a mother to four daughters, I know the impact this campaign could have on my local community and on people with afro hair across the UK,” Hamilton said.

What is World Afro Day?

15th September is World Afro Day, a global day for millions to celebrate the beauty of their afro hair and to feel proud of their naturally kinky, coiled or curly strands.