A debate over hair braiding laws in Louisiana is making headlines. MPI Original feature film Freedom Hair sheds light on the real-world consequences of these laws.

Based on the true story of Melony Armstrong, the award-winning feature film follows a Mississippi mother who sets out to start a natural hair braiding business and runs straight into state laws that make it nearly impossible. Refusing to back down, she partners with the Institute for Justice (IJ) and files a civil rights lawsuit, fighting not just for her business but for the ability to work at all.

Now, a similar challenge is resurfacing. In Louisiana, lawmakers are considering increasing the required training hours for braiders from 500 to 600. On paper, it is a small change. In practice, it means more time, more cost, and another barrier for people trying to earn a living through a skill that has existed for generations. At the same time, an alternate bill from Rep. Michael Bayham offers a different approach, eliminating the 500-hour requirement altogether and instead requiring braiders to pass an annual sanitation and safety exam. The debate has drawn national attention, with coverage from Reason and a recent Washington Post op-ed pointing to the broader consequences of occupational licensing.

Occupational licensing laws set the terms for who can work and how hard it is to get started. While some states have reduced or eliminated licensing requirements for braiders, proposals like the one in Louisiana show how such barriers can still persist or expand.

Want to bring the conversation about entrepreneurship to your community? Host a screening of Freedom Hair and help spark real change. Whether it’s an intimate gathering at home or a public event in a theater, MPI’s impact producers can support you every step of the way. From discussion guides to coordinating a live or virtual appearance by Melony, we’ll help make your screening a meaningful and inspiring experience.

Join the movement. Start planning your event today and be part of the effort to expand economic freedom for all.

You can watch Freedom Hair on Starz, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, and Google Play.