Whoopi Goldberg isn't penalized for her braids... and I've had white friends who have not gotten jobs due to tattoos.

One of my friends, a lawyer with her own practice, has worn her hair in braids as long as I've known her (going on 9 years now). She has a law degree from Duke and is a consummate professional in all the ways that count - she delivers for her clients and because she is so excellent, gets plenty of referrals.

I also know other professional black ladies who wear their hair in braids. The key seems to be that they have already proven themselves in their field and/or they have their own business. When you own the company, you decide the dress code.

Speaking for myself, whether I'm hiring a doctor, a lawyer, a mechanic or a gardener - I just want the best person I can afford. If he or she happens to have braids or tats or whatever - I don't care. The people who do care about that superficial stuff just hurt themselves by not getting the best value for their money.