Press Room

About CROWN

CROWN is a Swiss nonprofit association fighting identity-based discrimination through research, technology, and evidence-based advocacy. Headquartered in Geneva, CROWN builds the measurement infrastructure — diagnostic devices, datasets, indices, and clinical protocols — that transforms subjective bias into objective, measurable, and legally actionable evidence.

Founded in 2025 and registered in the Canton de Geneve in March 2026, CROWN operates at the intersection of academic research, deep-tech development, and legislative advocacy. Our work draws on developing academic relationships with the University of Geneva and ETH Zürich.

Mission Summaries

50 Words

CROWN is a Swiss association that fights identity-based discrimination through research and technology. We build diagnostic devices, measurement indices, and clinical protocols that make discrimination objective and actionable. Headquartered in Geneva, CROWN partners with the University of Geneva and ETH Zürich to produce evidence that informs European policy.

100 Words

CROWN is a Geneva-based nonprofit association building the infrastructure to measure, document, and address identity-based discrimination in Europe. Our programmes span four pillars: the CROWN Discrimination Index, developed in consultation with the University of Geneva, quantifies discrimination for the first time; diagnostic technology, being developed with guidance from ETH Zürich, replaces subjective assessment with sensor-verified measurement; the 360° Integrative Mind-Body Therapeutic Protocol addresses the psychological harm of discrimination; and our legislative hub provides evidence to inform anti-discrimination policy across European jurisdictions. CROWN exists because Europe has zero systematic data on hair discrimination, zero dedicated measurement infrastructure, and zero legislation specifically protecting natural hair.

200 Words

CROWN is a Swiss nonprofit association headquartered in Geneva, founded in 2025 to address a structural gap: the absence of quantitative data, measurement infrastructure, and dedicated institutions addressing identity-based discrimination — particularly hair discrimination — in Europe.

While the United States has produced extensive research on hair discrimination and enacted protective legislation in 24 states, Europe has no equivalent data, no standardised measurement instruments, and no legislation explicitly protecting natural hair. CROWN is building what does not yet exist.

Our work is organised around four pillars. Research: the CROWN Discrimination Index, developed in consultation with the University of Geneva, is a measurement instrument designed to quantify hair discrimination prevalence, severity, and economic impact in European populations. Innovation: a multi-sensor diagnostic device, being developed with guidance from ETH Zürich, provides objective, hardware-verified hair analysis. Healing: the 360° Integrative Mind-Body Therapeutic Protocol, created by co-founder Yanina Soumaré, is a clinically structured intervention for identity-based trauma. Advocacy: CROWN’s legislative hub tracks and analyses hair discrimination legislation globally, providing evidence that informs parliamentary deliberation.

CROWN does not lobby. CROWN produces data. Better data produces better science. Better science produces better law. Better law produces better outcomes.

Founder Biographies

Yanina Soumaré — President and Co-Founder

Yanina Soumaré is the co-founder and President of CROWN. A psychologist of mixed European-African heritage, Soumaré created the 360° Integrative Mind-Body Therapeutic Protocol — a clinically structured intervention for individuals experiencing psychological harm from identity-based appearance discrimination. The protocol integrates six evidence-based modalities: cognitive behavioural therapy, yoga and movement therapy, breathwork, emotional freedom techniques, trauma release exercises, and aromatherapy.

Soumaré holds a psychology degree from Portugal and is the author of the forthcoming HELD. She serves as CROWN’s Swiss representative, domiciled in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Canton de Neuchatel.

Available for comment on: hair discrimination, identity-based trauma, aesthetic trauma, therapeutic intervention for discrimination-related mental health conditions, textured hair culture, the experience of mixed-heritage individuals in Europe.

Seydou Soumaré — Vice-President, Treasurer and Co-Founder

Seydou Soumaré is the co-founder, Vice-President, and Treasurer of CROWN. Soumaré holds an MBA from Imperial College London (QS World University Rankings #2, 2026) and is a former Manager at a leading global professional services firm.

At CROWN, Soumaré leads financial strategy, technology partnerships, intellectual property management, and institutional development. He oversees CROWN’s emerging academic relationships, including the developing dialogue with ETH Zürich on diagnostic technology.

Available for comment on: anti-discrimination technology, ESG reporting and CSRD compliance, European anti-discrimination policy, innovation strategy for social impact, the business case for inclusive workplaces, Swiss and French nonprofit governance.

Key Facts

• Legal form: Association au sens des articles 60 et suivants du Code civil suisse
• Registered: Canton de Geneve, Commercial Register, March 2026
• Address: c/o CROWN, Rue de la Tour-de-l’Ile 4, 1204 Geneve
• Academic partners: University of Geneva, ETH Zürich
• Mission: Dismantle identity-based discrimination through research, technology, clinical intervention, and evidence-based advocacy

Media Contact

For press enquiries, interview requests, and expert commentary:

Email: [email protected]

CROWN responds to press enquiries within 24 hours. For urgent requests, please indicate “PRESS — URGENT” in the subject line.

For downloadable assets, see the Press Kit. For expert commentary areas, see Expert Commentary.