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I remember the first year of the Locks Conference: The Alternative in Philly. It was uniquely ours, authentic, cultural, special, the first of its kind in the country.  The magnificence of the celebration amazes me, and to think that  2014 will be the 20th year and we are still going strong, touching lives, building businesses, providing educational and informative workshops, growing and helping to raise consciousness and promoting wellness and more unity. The conference is supported solely by the community, no grants, and no large european corporations. Black folks demonstrating the power of collectively doing for self, Black folks helping Black folks. Even though the conference which has gone from just one day in one room to two full days on two floors full of activities, the doors  have remained open to the entire community whether or not they have locks, celebrate their natural hair or not. The entire Kuumba Family Organizing Committee is very grateful for the years of community support. It is true that now there are many natural hair conferences, programs and workshops. Strangely enough, we are delighted in all those who have caught the natural hair fever by imitating, yet not quite duplicating the Locks Conference.

Little did we know that we would be in the forefront of the fight to preserve our cultural expression: proudly and un-apologetically wear our natural hair. Although there are political, economic, mental, emotional, physical and spiritual aspects swirling around something so real and natural, who knew the forces to keep us enslaved would be so threatened by our model of love and self-determination. Well, we are still here, still going strong and October 4 and 5, 2014 with the help of the Infinite Universe and continued support from our global community this year will be among the many memorable Annual International Locks Conference: Natural Hair, Wholistic Health and Beauty Expo.

 Stay tuned and visit the web site www.Locksconference.com for updates and to become a "Friend of the Locks Conference." We have memberships to help us  to grow and to purchase a building/ our own locks conference home! The Tradition Continues