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18TH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL LOCKS CONFERENCE: NATURAL HAIR, WHOLISTIC HEALTH & BEAUTY EXPO TO BE HELD IN PHILADELPHIA

-- Rock'in and Lock'in Our Natural Hair-ITAGE --

 -- The headlines are buzzing with stories about the increase of African-American women and men choosing to return to wearing their hair in a healthy natural state. In celebration of the fact that an Afro is definitely bigger than a hairstyle, the Kuumba Family Organizing Committee invites the community to attend the 18th Annual International Locks Conference: Natural Hair, Wholistic Health and Beauty Expo.

The conference is much more than a natural hair show, much more than vending of goods and services, and more than a local community event, for it has become a much-anticipated national autumn opportunity for family gathering, spiritual renewal, and networking. The conference will be held on Saturday and Sunday, October 6 and 7, 2012, at the Imhotep Institute Charter High School, 6201 North 21 Street, Philadelphia 19138.

This year the conference theme is "Rock' in and Lock' in: Our Natural Hair-ITAGE" and is a tribute to one of its founders, natural hair pioneer Yvette Smalls. The Locks Conference features two full days of informative workshops, panel discussions, leading experts from the natural hair care field, world-renowned scholars, authors, activists, and artists from a myriad of professions, live musical performances, belly dancing, Zumba, soul line dancing, self-defense for women, live food demonstrations, children's workshops, a Kuumba marketplace full of gifted craftspeople, talented vendors, service providers from around the country, cultural fashion show, and a stunning natural hair show and competition. As a special addition, the conference will also offer the opportunity to become CPR certified and for participants to learn more about disaster preparation.

By popular demand, the conference will again include a wholistic health, healing, and wellness pavilion offering a wide variety of demonstrations and services such as massage, reflexology, muscle testing, Reiki, ionic footbaths, herbal remedies, and soul sweat /aquatic therapy. In addition to workshops and panel discussions, there will be a lively community forum - "Nation Building and Black Liberation: A Matter of Raising Consciousness."

Some of the guest speakers and presenters include the exciting Urban Shamans, Jus Greg, One Lion Ra, Aziza Kinteh, Rahnda Rise, authors Dalani Aamon, Dr. Kamau and Nana Mawiyah Kambon, Kevin A. Muhammad, Professor Salim Ali, Wallace Durham, and Dr. Akosua Ali-Sabree; Dr. Ali Muhammad, Dr. JoAnne Cornwell, Minister Akbar Muhammad, Queen Mutima Imani, Dr. Akmal Muwwakkil, wholistic health experts El HaGahn, Mamma K, Dr. Rafiq Abdul-Malik, Cheron Perry-Thomas and Dr, Dewey Thomas, Ras Ben, and Zakiyyah Ali.

The Annual International Locks Conference, a private not-for-profit community event organized by the Kuumba Family Organizing Committee and the Hair-ITAGE Society, is sponsored by Leroi and Cinzia Simmons Full Service Salon; Unitees, Inc.; Chic Afrique; Amadi Wellness Connection; the Money School; Ujima Press RC; Sweet Spot Desserts; Locs Socks; Nubian Essence; GMI Contractors, and Zaki Associates. Small donations are requested.

For more information, to volunteer, or to register for the annual hair show and competition, contact the Kuumba family at 888-305-3186 or visit www.Locksconference.com or email: info@LocksConference.com

This information has been distributed through BlackPR.com and BlackNews.com