CLE Program - The CROWN Act in Rhode Island: Legal Implications on Workplaces and Schools
The Rhode Island CROWN Act expands state anti-discrimination law by recognizing race-based hair discrimination as unlawful in both workplaces and educational settings. By amending employment and education statutes, the law clarifies that race means and includes traits historically associated with the race, including hair texture and protective hairstyles.
This one-hour CLE will examine the history of hair discrimination and how grooming and appearance policies have functioned as proxies for racial exclusion in workplaces and schools. It will also explore the evidence-based performance implications of related policies and practices.
The session will then explore the purpose and structure of the Act and its impact on legal obligations for employers, schools, and institutions, including hiring practices, workplace policies, student discipline, and dress codes.
Through real-world examples, participants will consider compliance strategies, policy revisions, and approaches to advising clients, while also engaging broader questions of professionalism, institutional norms, and equity.
12:00 - 1:00 p.m. EST
MEET THE SPEAKERS
Senator Tiara T. Mack
Member, Senate Committee on Commerce, Senate Committee on Education,
Senate Committee on Housing & Municipal Government
Tiara is a State Senator representing Providence. Since her election in 2020, she has been a champion for LGBTQ+ rights, working families, and housing and tenant rights, and expanding abortion access in Rhode Island. While in office, she has passed bills that have expanded abortion access to Medicaid recipients and state employees, created a process to seal eviction records, passed critical childhood lead safety bills, and made Juneteenth a paid state holiday.
She serves on the Senate Commerce Committee, Housing and Municipal Government Committee, and the Education Committee, and is a Commissioner of the RI Commission on Prejudice and Bias.
Anne M. Corbin, Ph.D., J.D.,
Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice, Roger Williams University
Anne M. Corbin is a law-trained industrial/organizational (e.g., workplace performance) psychologist whose multidisciplinary lens emphasizes equity in the workplace. Her research focuses on role conflict among justice system and higher education professionals and related equity implications. She is committed to the trauma-informed promotion of equity and optimal performance in the workplace. Her diverse experiences span higher education, state and federal government, nonprofit organizations, legal education, and law practice settings. These experiences have provided her with a broad perspective and a deep understanding of the complexities and nuances involved in fostering equitable, compliant, and high-performing workplaces.
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Dr. Corbin has authored two books with Southern Illinois University Press, one on juvenile defender role conflict – Dilemma of Duties: the role conflict of juvenile defenders, 2018 – and another providing practical, interdisciplinary, guidance on how to be a social equity savvy leader in the workplace (post review). Prior to joining Roger Williams University, Dr. Corbin held teaching roles in Psychology and Business at Dartmouth College, and founded a consulting firm, CauseWise, that provides organizations with performance management, and other workplace equity, guidance.
Dr. Corbin spends her nonworking hours gardening, hiking, cooking, and enjoying her family. She cherishes training with her German Shepherd and exploring her Abenaki roots.
Carly Beauvais Iafrate, Esq. L'00
Law Office of Carly Beauvais Iafrate, P.C
Carly Beauvais Iafrate is an attorney who represents clients in the Providence, Rhode Island area. Carly Iafrate is recognized by peers and was selected to Super Lawyers for 2019 - 2025. This selection is based off of an evaluation of 12 indicators including peer recognition and professional achievement in legal practice.
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Carly Iafrate chose to pursue a career in law after completing undergraduate studies. She attended Roger Williams University School of Law and graduated in 2000. Carly Iafrate passed the bar exam and was admitted to legal practice in 2000.
She represents clients with Employment & Labor: Employee issues in Rhode Island.
Being selected to Super Lawyers is limited to a small number of attorneys in each state. As one of the few attorneys to garner the distinction of Super Lawyers, Carly Iafrate has earned the respect of peers as one of the top-rated attorneys in the nation.
MEET THE MODERATOR
Nicole P. Dyszlewski
Assistant Dean of Academic Innovation,
Roger Williams University School of Law
Nicole’s work centers on building a more inclusive and equitable legal system. Her areas of focus include DEIB pedagogy in law schools, mass incarceration, and access to information— topics where she brings both a lawyer’s insightful analysis and a librarian’s relentless curiosity. Nicole is the co-editor of the Integrating Doctrine & Diversity book series, the host of the Integrating Doctrine and Diversity webinar series, and a co-author of the recently published casebook, Race and the Foundations of American Law.
RHODE ISLAND MCLE CREDIT
This program is approved for one DEI Rhode Island MCLE Credit.
REGISTRATION
$40 Registration/One RI MCLE DEI Credit
$25 RWU Law Alumni
$25 Non-profit/Government
Complimentary RWU Law Students
Complimentary RWU Law Faculty & Administration
Cancellation & Refund Policy
RWU Law CLE cancellations received by Friday, May 8, 2026 are eligible to receive a full refund less a $5 administrative fee. Cancellations received after the stated deadline will not be eligible for a refund. Cancellations are accepted via email at kdalessio@rwu.edu