White executive fired after wearing cornrows, triggering legal fight over Maryland's CROWN Act

Baltimore’s Rock Opera Society Dismisses Executive Over Cornrow Hair, Raises Discrimination Questions

Baltimore, Md. – In a controversy that has drawn attention from civil‑rights attorneys and the state’s civil‑rights commission, the Baltimore Rock Opera Society (BROS) fired its newly appointed executive director, Kelly Carnes, a few days after she was hired. The dismissal followed backlash over Carnes’ choice to wear cornrows—a protective hairstyle she had styled at Burning Man in Nevada—at a BROS public event.

Carnes was announced as BROS’s executive director on September 8, 2023, after the organization highlighted her 21 years of experience in nonprofit arts leadership, communications, and fundraising. The announcement, made less than a week later, praised her strategic vision for the society, which stages operatic productions in the city’s historic venues.

During a BROS event, a video circulated on social media showing Carnes with cornrows. The clip sparked complaints on the internet, with many viewers accusing the white executive of cultural appropriation. “We have received many heartfelt and concerned messages from members of our community regarding a video circulated on social media showing our new Executive Director, who is White, wearing cornrows at a recent BROS public event,” the organization posted on Instagram. “We share the weight of these concerns and take this matter seriously.”

After the post, BROS removed the video and announced it was “taking the matter seriously.” The organization also said it would revise its anti‑discrimination policy, require anti‑racism training for leadership, and create a working group to focus on racial equity and inclusion. In a separate email obtained by The Baltimore Banner, board members noted that four of its six members, including the chair, would be leaving the organization by year‑end.

Carnes claims the board told her not to attend a town‑hall meeting convened to discuss the controversy. She says she was dismissed a few days later, the only explanation given being that she was “not a good fit.” “I was let go after only a few days in the role, and I was told the only reason was that I didn’t fit the organization,” she told Fox News Digital.

Attorney Jeremy Eldridge, who represents Carnes, says the circumstances may raise a potential violation of Maryland’s CROWN Act. The state law, enacted in 2020, expands anti‑discrimination protections to include hair textures and “protective hairstyles” such as braids, twists, and locks. Under the law, employers may not discriminate based on these traits.

“Had the Baltimore Rock Opera simply separated from this individual without providing a discriminatory reason, the timeline would be all of the evidence that the fired employee would have,” Eldridge told WBFF Fox45. “But here, 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 added that determining whether the firing violated state law would require establishing the actual motivations behind BROS’s decision. “We still have to deal with there are two competing narratives,” he said.

BROS has declined to comment further on the dismissal, citing a focus on “caring for its internal community.” The society’s spokesperson told WBAL that no additional information could be released at this time.

The Maryland Commission on Civil Rights, which administers the CROWN Act’s employment provisions, has not yet responded to Fox News Digital’s request for comment. Meanwhile, four board members slated to depart may reflect wider leadership turmoil within the organization.

If Carnes chooses to pursue legal action, she could argue that the society’s public statements about her cornrows, coupled with the abrupt dismissal, amount to wrongful termination on the basis of a protected hairstyle. The case would hinge on whether the society’s decision was genuinely based on job‑performance concerns or whether it was a pretext for discrimination.

BROS’s handling of the situation, and the potential legal implications, have drawn scrutiny from community leaders, civil‑rights groups, and arts advocates. “This is a reminder that protective hairstyles are covered under the law, and employers must treat employees fairly,” said a spokesperson for the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights, who declined to provide details.

As the case develops, BROS’s future leadership and policy direction remain uncertain. The society’s board, with four members set to leave, may be in the process of reshaping its governance structure amid the controversy. Whether the organization can restore confidence among its members and the broader community will be tested as the legal and public‑relations fallout continues.