Although Marcus Garvey first taught us that "We are going to emancipate ourselves from mental slavery because whilst others might free the body, none but ourselves can free the mind. Mind is your only ruler, sovereign. The man who is not able to develop and use his mind is bound to be the slave of the other man who uses his mind." It was Bob Marley who through his song Redemption made popular the lyrics/ saying "Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery, None but ourselves can free our minds."
Dr. Ama Muhammad also urges us to remember, "We are the original Aboriginal Indigenous people, and Afrikans in the Diaspora and we deserve to be happy, healthy, safe, and whole. Our hueman and divine rights are not subjects for nonsensical debate, nor were they granted to us by people openly bent on our total destruction. None other than ourselves can determine who we are or what we deserve, so unapologetically reclaim your birthright, your spiritual essence, and honor our freedom-loving ancestors.”
With that energy in mind, in addition to being a cultural, educational, spiritual and networking event, the Annual International Locks Conference (AILC): Natural Hair, Wholistic Health, and Beauty Expo serves as a necessary shift in the paradigm: a shift from wanting something to happen to actively proclaim our right to be and stay healthy, to enhance a sense of unity, to reclaim our cultural heritage, and to provide a right now-can-do-model of economic development. Collectively, the Kuumba Family Organizing Committee says and demonstrates that we as a people can do great things in unity and self-determination, and for over 25 years it has been a living example of putting powerful thoughts and vision into action, visions and wisdom that have been passed to us from our ancestors. Since 1994, the slogan “The Tradition Continues” has allowed the conference to evolve from “Locks: The Natural Alternative--Annual Locks Conference” into “Annual International Locks Conference (AILC): Natural Hair, Wholistic Health, and Beauty Expo.” Just imagine 25+ years of serving the community; 25+ years of exchanging great information; 25+ years of strategic planning; 25+ years offering good and healthy food; 24+years of cultural fashions; 25+years of honoring our ancestors; 25+ years of soulful drumming and thought-provoking spoken word; 25+years of greeting and meeting new and old friends; 25+years of building, supporting, and helping to start new black businesses; 25+ years of celebrating natural hair, our heritage, and our beautiful loving black families; 25+ years of jaw-dropping natural hairstyling; 25+ years of providing a live platform and venue for seasoned and budding artists; 25+years of learning wholistic approaches to wellness; 25+ years of serving as a model of self-determination and promoting our cultural expression and connections; 25+years of producing an information-packed resource guide, 25+ years of raising consciousness; 25+ years of presenting powerful, beautiful, knowledge-filled scholars; 24+years of de-whitening and re-Afrikanizing; and 24+years of a spiritual high.
Even though people benefit from all the features, it has become abundantly clear that the AILC is much more than a cultural and educational event, much bigger than an Afro and much more than a fantastic shopping trip. Often times brothers and sisters come to an event, enjoy themselves, go home, yet they have no real idea what is happening behind the scenes or after the last person has gone home. At a time when the call for self-determination is louder than ever, we need to support and continue to help build those institutions /organizations that have consistently served the community and promote nation building. Over the last twenty-one years, the Kuumba Family Organizing Committee has presented the Annual International Locks Conference(AILC): Natural Hair, Wholistic Health and Beauty Expo, and due to its diligence and commitment to self-determination, collective love for the community and the purpose of each-one-reach-one, each-one-teaches-one, the Kuumba Family Organizing Committee has participated and/or initiated the following (Partial List):
-
Formed a 501c3 organization- Kuumba Family Institute, Inc.
-
Entered into a strategic partnership with Let’s Buy Black 365
-
Collected school supplies, clothes, personal hygiene items three+ barrels sent to Ghana
-
Sent money, clothes, and supplies to Haiti
-
Collected items to send to New Orleans in 2005
-
Collected funds for a family whose house burned down (they were surprised at the generosity of the brothers and sisters who came to the Locks Conference and contributed above and beyond what the committee donated)
-
Collected funds to assist two independent schools to keep their doors open
-
Been a micro-incubator for a number of small businesses/ entrepreneurs/craftspeople
-
Trained over 100 volunteers
-
Provided motivation for youth entrepreneurs and organizers
-
Created opportunities for young people to make extra money
-
Actively encouraged family reunification
-
Honored many dedicated community workers through awards and recognition ceremonies
-
Presented panel discussions on many community issues such as domestic violence, institutional racism, political prisoners, media wars, economic development, buy black, relationships, wholistic health and wellness
-
Promoted literacy by introducing the Ida B. Wells Authors' Row
-
Introduced renowned national and international scholars, historians, and artisans to new and old audiences
-
Introduced our community to local, and national wholistic health and wellness service providers
-
Supported and still supports and contributes to area independent charter schools
-
Supported and still supports other African-centered /community organizations such as UNIA-ACL, MWM, NOI, PLM, Supreme Angels, Freedom Expo, Moorish Unification Council of the World Inc., Aboriginal Republic of North America, Natural Childbirth and Indigenous midwife groups, Free Mumia, Political prison groups, Harambee Radio and TV Network, WURD-900 Radio, Radio One, etc.
-
Promoted Event planning workshop sponsored by Kuumba Family Institute, Inc
-
As the first consistent and authentic cultural and educational natural hair conference, we have supported the growth of other natural hair shows, conventions, and conferences and contributed to the energy of natural hair meet-ups all over the world, especially here in the united states.
Historical Background
Although the Locks Conference started with just one day, a jammed packed Saturday, it has grown into two exhilarating days full of excitement, edutainment, delicious healthy food, informative workshops. The following serves as a brief sketch of the conference and highlights. *Because of the multiple workshops that are presented each year, it would be difficult to list all the great speakers/presenters. However, our annual resource guide serves as a clear record of their participation.
Event - Year 24th 2018
Location Universal Audenried Charter High School
Guest speaker Mwalimu and Yaa Baruti, Akbar Muhammad,
Featured performers:
Dedication Culture, Education Our Own, and Healthy Relationships
Theme: Culture2 +Liberty Locks= Love
Event - Year 23rd 2017
Location Universal Audenried Charter High School
Guest speaker Dr. Marcus Kline, Chairman Fred Hampton, Jr POCC
Featured performers: Jahzara Fashion Alchemy, K-love, Richard Raw
Dedication Culture, Education Our Own, and Healthy Relationships
Theme: Spiral Freedom
Event - Year 22th 2016
Location Universal Audenried Charter High School
Guest speaker Dick Gregory, Professor Bayyinah Bello, Nataki Kambon
Featured performers: Goalden Chyld Ursula Rucker, Richard Raw, Tahir RGB, Amun Xkorpious
Dedication Self-Determination and Buying Black
Theme: 2 Strong, 2 Black
Event- Year 21st 2015
Location Universal Audenried Charter High School
Guest speaker Dr. Marimba Ani, Professor Griff, Dr, Afiya Mbilishaka, Isis Brantley
Featured performers: Stroke String trio, Melissa Princess Best, Ruff Mic of Precise Science
Dedication Justice or Else
Theme: Black is Still Beautiful: Say it Loud, Wear it Proud
d
Event - Year 20th 2014
Location Universal Audenried Charter High School
Guest speakers Runoko Rashidi, Imhotep Asis. Fatiu, D’Jehuty Maat-Ra
Featured performers: Jus Greg, Bethlehem, 13th of Nazareth, Tahir RBG
Dedication Black Scholars
Theme: 20 Year Strong and Still Rocking On
Event - Year 19th 2013
Location Imhotep Institute Charter High School
Guest speaker Ayo Handy-Kendi, Dr. Llaila Afrika, Dr. Jacquilen foster-Ali,
Minister Alif Allah
Featured performers: IllStyle & Peace production,
Theme: Wake Up Rise Up
Event - Year 18th 2012
Location Imhotep Institute Charter High School
Guest speaker William Muhammad, Minister Akbar Muhammad,
Dr. Kamau & Mawiyah Kambon
Featured performers: One Sun Lion Ra, Unknown Poet and Queen, David little
Dedication Yvette Smalls
Theme: Rock’n & Lock’n
Event - Year 17th 2011
Location Walter D. Palmer Leadership Learning Partners Charter School
Guest speaker Ras Ben, Dr. Kamau Kambon, Dr. Ali Muhammad, Pam Africa,
Mukasa Afrika
Featured performers: Voices of Africa Ensemble, Watoto of the Nile,
Dedication Gil Scott Heron
Theme: Truth Revealed: Natural is Back
Event - Year 16th 2010
Location Walter D. Palmer Leadership Learning Partners Charter School
Guest speaker Mfundishi, Heru Pa-Ur, Tehuti, Esther Iverem
Featured performers: In the company of poets, Universal Dance & Drum Ensemble,
Mamadou Diaite
Dedication Black farmers
Theme: The Real Image of Me: Natural, Divine & Free
Event - Year 15th 2009
Location Walter D. Palmer Leadership Learning Partners Charter School
Guest speaker Dr. Lennell Dade, Kamau Kenyatta, Walter D. Palmer,
Dr. Edward Robinson, Henry DeBernardo
Featured performers: Yesser Furaha Ali, Amaris, Reynald Williams(Betty’s Son)
Theme: Respect the Root
Event - Year 14th 2008
Location Walter D. Palmer Leadership Learning Partners Charter School
Guest speaker Dalani Aamon, Junious R. Stanton, Senghor Jawara Baye-El
PG-UNIA-ACL, Elizabeth Wellington
Featured performers: K-Love, Aziza Kinteh, Amun Miraaj-E, Rahnda Rize, Imhotep Dance Co.
Dedication Honorable Redman Battle, PG-UNIA-ACL
Theme: Locked on Freedom
Event - Year 13th 2007
Location Walter D. Palmer Leadership Learning Partners Charter School
Guest speaker Jacquelyn Frazier-Lyde, Rych McCain, Marci Walker, Norm Bond
Featured performers: Autumn Ashante, Oni Lasana Urban Shaman, BOCA
Dedication: Ras Malik, Dr. Asa Grant Hilliard, III
Theme: Consciousness Raising
Event - Year 12th 2006
Location Local 332 Laborers’ Union Hall
Guest speaker Queen Mutima Imani, Lori Tharp
Featured performers: Belly Dancers with MoorHips
Dedication Rufus Harley & Del Jones /
Hair PieceZ: The Anthology Book was published
Theme: Protect Our Cultural Heritage
Event- Year 11th 2005
Location Harambee Institute & Club Damani
Guest speaker Sam E. Anderson
Featured performers: Byard Lancaster, Timi Tanzania
Dedication Sharon L. Goodwin
Theme Time to Reflect
Event - Year 10th 2004
Location Harambee Institute & Club Damani
Guest speakers Jacquelyn Frazier-Lyde & Queen Mutima Imani
Featured performers: The Fiddler, Belly Dancers of Color (BOCA)
Event - Year 9th 2003
Location Harambee Institute & Club Damani
Guest speaker Pamela Hooks, Momma Sandi
Dedication Nia Sadikwa Bey Al-Rasul
Event - Year 8th 2002
Location Harambee Institute & Club Damani
Guest speaker MaMa Akosua Ali-Sabree
Dedication June Jordan & Dr. Mattie L. Humphrey
Event - Year 7th 2001
Location Temple University
Guest speaker Jena Renee Williams, Kinky Kreations
Dedication Barbara Ann Smith
Event - Year 6th 2000
Location Temple University
Guest speaker Joyce Wilkerson, Mayor Street’s Chief of Staff
Dedication Doris Dean-Hagood, Royalann Midget
Event - Year 5th 1999
Location Community College of Philadelphia
Guest speaker Mbali Umoja
Dedication Kwamé Touré & Dr. John Henrik Clarke
Event - Year 4th 1998
Location Berean Institute
Guest speaker Tulani Kinard
Dedication Kwame Sekou Ra & Nana Yaa Anima
Event - Year 3rd 1997
Location Berean Institute
Guest speaker Kamau & Janice Kenyetta
Event - Year 2nd 1996
Location Berean Institute
Guest speaker Sam E. Anderson
Event- Year 1st 1995
Location Temple University
Guest speaker Mbali Umoja
Event- Year 1994
Pre-Conference Spoken word sessions and Planning meetings