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Reading powers imagination and imagination deepens creativity, and together the world of possibilities opens up especially for our children. Daily, young people are bombarded with negative images, limiting opportunities and behaviors that create regression instead of progression. The need to redirect negative energy, to eliminate self-hate, and to increase opportunities for healthy expression as well as to increase literacy is the motivating force for the Kuumba Family Institute, Inc. (KFII) to sponsor our first annual Books for the Watoto (children). Books for ages newborn to 16 years old will be collected at the 23rd Annual International Locks Conference affectionately called the Philly Locks Conference which will be held Saturday and Sunday, October 7 & 8, 2017, at the Universal Audenried Charter High School. The books collected will be distributed to the children in the Onysnsana Village in Ghana and to an independent school in Philadelphia.
For KFII, promoting literacy(reading, writing and thinking) is part of the push for a healthier, more knowledgeable community. Each year in honor of authors such as Dr. Francis Cress Welsing, Dr. Amos Wilson, Dr. Edward Robinson, and Gwendolyn Brooks, there is an area at the conference called Ida B. Wells Row which is designed to connect readers with authors and to highlight the creativity that flows within our communities. Brothers and sisters are encouraged to buy a couple of books from the authors and the booksellers who will be in attendance.

Also, a book sought after at the Locks Conference is the popular Resource Guide. The Guide contains articles and biographical sketches of this year’s presenters such as author and scholar Dr. Wesley Muhammad, Queen Taese, Ras Ben, Dr. Marcus Kline, Chairman Fred Hampton Jr./Prisoners of Conscience Committee/Black Panther Party Cubs(POCC/BPPC), BernNadette Stanis (Thelma from Good Times), Nataki Kambon (LetsBuyBlack365.com), Dr. Ali Muhammad, Ramona Africa, Dr. Akmal Muwwakkil, Richard Raw, K Love the Poet, and many other notable scholars, authors, natural hair stylists, wholistic health and wellness providers, natural food experts, musicians, and crafts people from around the world.
The Kuumba Family Institute, the chief sponsor of the Philly Locks Conference, is joined this year by sponsors: Funtimes Magazine, MinutemanPress of Philadelphia, Zuresh Natural Products Emporium, Locs Socs, Island Designs, Chic Afrique, Black Professional News, Unitees, Nu Millennium Studios, and the Amadi Wellness Connection. The conference offers a great opportunity to revitalize oneself, to relax, to learn, to reconnect with old friends, to meet new friends, to network, to have fun, to witness Aboriginal creativity, and to build solid business and relationship possibilities, to buy black, to shop and shop some more, to eat delicious food, to enjoy live music, and to be motivated to move from talking about change to actively seeking solutions all while supporting an important cultural and educational institution/organization.
Do yourself and your loved ones a favor. Save the dates of Saturday and Sunday, October 7 and 8, 2017, so that you can attend this dynamic event. For more information and/or tickets visit Eventbrite: 23rd Annual International Locks Conference and/or visit the conference web site https://www.LocksConference.com or call 215-438-8189. Remember to keep reading and support the Books for Watoto(Children’s Book Drive).

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