Wayne County Commission opened Black History Month with Resolution to Ban Toxic Beauty Products for Black Women

February 9, 2026

Wayne County Commission marked Black History Month on February 5, 2026, with a program featuring nearly 20 students from Detroit School of Arts performing music, poetry, and dance at the Guardian Building. The celebration, hosted by Commissioner Angelique Peterson-Mayberry and Chairwoman Alisha Bell, deliberately focused on youth participation and included traditional elements like the Black National Anthem and ancestral libation ceremonies. Alongside the cultural program, the Commission introduced the "Our Hair, Our Health" resolution addressing toxic chemicals in beauty products disproportionately marketed to Black women.

Who is affected

Black women and women of color (primary health impact from toxic chemicals in hair products)
Nearly 20 students from Detroit School of Arts (participants in the cultural program)
Commissioner Angelique Peterson-Mayberry, District 5 (program host)
Commissioner Jonathan Kinloch, District 2 (supporter of student participation)
Commission Chairwoman Alisha Bell
Wayne County residents broadly (covered by county public health protections)
Manufacturers, distributors, and retailers of hair care products marketed to Black women

What action is being taken

The Wayne County Commission is introducing the "Our Hair, Our Health" resolution that reaffirms commitment to racial equity by addressing toxic chemicals in hair products disproportionately marketed to Black women and women of color.

Why it matters

This matters because it treats a significant health disparity as a government responsibility rather than an individual consumer problem. Research demonstrates that hair products marketed to Black women contain dramatically higher rates of harmful chemicals—50% versus 7% for products marketed to white women—exposing Black women to known or suspected carcinogens and endocrine disruptors that increase risks of hormonal disruption, reproductive harm, and cancer. For Black women, hair care intersects with culture, workplace experiences, school policies, and personal identity, making this a daily health concern. By formally recognizing this issue, Wayne County positions itself to advocate for stronger oversight and accountability across the supply chain when federal regulation has lagged behind consumer advocacy.

What's next

The Commission has not announced enforcement mechanisms yet, but the resolution sets up a public pathway for additional steps including county advocacy to state and federal regulators, consumer education efforts, and partnerships with public health voices and community organizations.

Read full article from source: Michigan Chronicle