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• PHILADELPHIA TO HOST 19TH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL LOCKS CONFERENCE & NATURAL HAIR, WHOLISTIC HEALTH, AND BEAUTY EXPO ON OCTOBER 5-6, 2013
• This Year's Theme "Wake Up, Rise Up: Keeping It Real Naturally" aims to remove the curtain of racism

Discussion of solutions, survival, and celebration of African and Aboriginal Indigenous heritage are just some of what will be happening at the 19th Annual International Locks Conference: Natural Hair, Wholistic Health, and Beauty Expo coming October 5 and 6, 2013 at Imhotep Institute Charter High School, 6201 North 21 Street, Philadelphia 19138. Each year the Kuumba Family Organizing Committee presents an exciting, cultural, and educational event. 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 occasion for family gathering, spiritual renewal, and networking. This year ironically the theme is “Wake Up, Rise Up: Keeping it Real Naturally.” The attendees will have the rare opportunity to hear from and consult with some of the leading herbalists, natural nutritionists, massage therapists, Breathologists, and wholistic health educators and noted practitioners such as Llaila Africa, Ron Norwood, Ayo Handy- Kendi, Cherron Perry-Thomas, Dr. Dewey Thomas, Abundance Child, Dr. Ali Muhammad, Toluwalase Suzzette Ayokunle, Dr. El HaGahn, Minister Enqi, Dr. Akmal Muwwakkil, Dr. Jacquilen Fostor Tomas Ali, Dr. Rafiq Abdul-Malik, Dr. Akosua Ali-Sabree, and Cheryl Tyler of Infinity Health and Wellness Center.

Furthermore, in keeping with the request for answers and solutions the Kuumba Family Organizing Committee is proud to announce the expansion of our popular authors’ corner at the Conference. Although this will be the 19th year of producing this exhilarating conference, it is the first year of featuring an area dedicated to Ida B. Wells and literacy. In addition to being available for inspiring discussions and book signings many talented authors from across the country such as Cathy Harris, Kevin Muhammad, Professor Griff, Professor Salim Haji Amir Ali, Dalani Aamon, Ras Ben, Natty Rebel, Dr. Tiffany Simpkins-Russell, Mwalimu Melodye Micere Van Putten, Dr. Robbin Alston, Nekhena Evans, Minister Alif Ali, Pam Africa, Basiymah Muhammad Bey, and noted historian Runoko Rashidi will also be presenting informative workshops during the conference.

Akosua Ali-Sabree, program director for the event, comments, "With city after city experiencing financial crises, massive closing of public schools, people losing their homes, senior and low cost housing close to non-existent, and unemployment high, seemingly legal lynchings, it is no wonder that many people, indeed the society are facing serious health challenges and/or have questions about, healthy eating, self-care and natural health, stress relief. It is also no wonder that our youth are actively seeking answers and demanding that society remove the blinders to institutional racism. Our event aims to heighten discussion that helps to develop solutions to this global problem."

For more information, to volunteer, or to register for the annual hair show and competition, contact the Kuumba family at 1-888-305-3186 or log onto the web site:www.Locksconference.com or email: info@LocksConference.com -- Advance tickets can be purchased at http://annualinternationallocksconference.eventbrite.com