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Blavity is a community of the most exceptional multi-cultural creators and influencers in the world. We partner with diverse content creators and influencers to help them reach a wider audience, amplify their message, and fund their hustles. We believe that the world shifts according to the way people see it— and if you change the way people view the world, you can transform it. A subsidiary of Blavity, Inc.

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Blavity News is a community and platform for Black Voices, Stories, Creators and thought.
© Blavity, Inc., 2020

Culture

Florida TV Reporter Celebrated For Rocking A Fresh Fade On-Air

Lena Pringle's natural hairstyle is fire!

by Keka Araújo

September 17, 2020 at 7:22 pm

A television reporter in Jacksonville caused a stir on Twitter when she debuted her new look. Lena Pringle, sporting a fresh fade, posted the stunning photo to her social media account on Sept. 9.

“Shoutout to the people who told me I wouldn’t be able to get/keep a broadcast news job with a short natural haircut. Jokes on you, huh?” the caption read.

Shoutout to the people who told me I wouldn’t be able to get/keep a broadcast news job with a short natural haircut. Jokes on you, huh? ????????‍♀️ pic.twitter.com/2SwcmnQY7A

— Lena Pringle (@lenapringle_) September 9, 2020

Pringle posted a video, too, flexing her new haircut.

New haircut w/ a first time cut-in part mixed with a light natural beat. The cut looks ???????????? on tv. Y’all feeling it or nah? ???? pic.twitter.com/3e7UCW1PKw

— Lena Pringle (@lenapringle_) September 9, 2020

I say this as humbly as I know how, I looked GOOODT on that tv screen this morning. ????????????

— Lena Pringle (@lenapringle_) September 9, 2020

According to the station’s website, Pringle, a native of South Carolina, is an anchor and traffic/general assignment reporter at WJXT-4 News.

The regal-looking anchor first donned her natural hair in 2018 and according to her interview on NBC’s The Today Show, Pringle explained her transition from wearing a relaxed pixie-cut to natural.

“Moving forward, it was never going to be something that I negotiated," she said, explaining her decision to rock her natural hair on TV.

The Twitterverse celebrated Pringle’s slayage by offering compliments and well wishes.

we simply must stan!!!

— Terron Moore (@Terr) September 10, 2020

Another follower offered Pringle words of gratitude.

You are a natural beauty in all your glory ✨ Thank you for being a role model for millions of Black & Brown girls who just want to be themselves ????????????❤️

— Elizabeth Morrison (@DiversityBoss) September 13, 2020

A fellow reporter from Boston complimented Pringle, too.

You are stunning! You look fly and can’t anyone say nothin!! Keep gettin it. Being you is what sets you apart!????????????????????????????????????????

— Amaka Ubaka (@AmakaUbakaTV) September 13, 2020

Natural hair discrimination is still an issue for many Black women mainly in the workplace, as Blavity previously reported.

States like California and New York have taken measures to ensure that historically-racist policies will no longer affect Black employees.

In 2019, Sen. Cory Booker announced The CROWN Act which bans hair discrimination based on texture and hairstyles. The bill was passed in July 2019.

“Discrimination against Black hair is discrimination against Black people,” Booker said. “Implicit and explicit biases against natural hair are deeply ingrained in workplace norms and society at large. This is a violation of our civil rights, and it happens every day for black people across the country.”