My first loc conference in Philadelphia. I  really didn’t know what to expect. Since “Valley” decided to drive I thought I might as well join. “Mochalocks” was the third napptural who joined and we had a blast.

Annual International Locks Conference in Philly
October 2nd 2005 by Mireille Liong

When we arrived things weren’t really happening yet but it gave us time to see what was for sale, to get some food and to plan the day. There were a lot of workshops. Best of all they were for Free!

Mochalocks and I decided to go to Natural Transitions. A workshop by Gerri Mayo who owns a salon in Darby. It was a great workshop where she explained how women with hair and scalp issues due to relaxing and coloring can transition to natural hair. Exactly what my book is about. When one of her customers said that Gerrie taught her how to love her hair naturally, I was more than happy to announce my book Going Natural How to fall in love with nappy hair. I am very, very thankful to Gerrie who gave me the opportunity to announce it. Thank you Gerrie. 

All three of us, Mochalocks, ValleyofDecision and I went to the workshop “Head wrapping.” I tell you this woman Atiya Ola is a-mazing. Really. The workshop was entertaining and astonishing. She makes head wrapping seem so easy. According to her it is easy. When one of the attendees asked what styles she could were to work, Atiya demonstrated 7 different styles, one for each day of the week, with one piece of fabric. That was amazing and enjoyable at the same time. Me and Jlmashby, another nappturality who visited the conference, were both sold and bought one of her wraps.

It was a fabulous day. After the workshops we were ready for some food once again. When we entered the main area where the food was, drums were playing while a sister was singing. It was happening. Women started to dance spontaneously and the program continued. Locks were every where, big small, colored, palm-rolled, twisted, cornrowed, up down, you name it. This sister’s locks stroke me because they were bigger then usual and still nicely around her face at a comfortable length. When I asked her about her hair, she said she had locks for 24 years. Unfortunately she got a stroke and couldn’t maintain them herself anymore, that’s why she had to cut them. Mboli, not sure about her name because the email bounces, started to lock initially because it was too much work to keep up with the pressing and that kind of stuff. She said “do you see my hair? Do you see how thick it is? Do you see how much it is? Locking was the natural thing for me to do. An amazing woman.

The belly dancers were the highlight of the day. 10 amazing women of color dressed in traditional clothing, complete with jewelry and bells, woke every body up. Belly dance instructor Dr. Sunyatta gave a little background information about belly dancing and explained some of the dances. The audience was cheering, clapping, laughing and dancing while the dancers demonstrated their art. At the end the audience was invited to dance with them and it was mad! 

Now it was time to close the day appropriately with the hairstyle competition. You could see that it was hard for the jury to decide a winner in whatever category. I wouldn’t be able to tell you which one was nicer. All participating stylists were obliviously very talented. You could hear the oohs and aahhs from the audience when the models showed their crowns. To me they were all winners although not all of them got a price. The International Lock Conference was everything it said it would be: a special and nurturing event for families and friends to enjoy a wholesome day together.

International lock Conference 
Endless Creations 
Belly Dancers of color

Going Natural at the Locks Conference Natural Hair, Wholistic Health, and Beauty Expo, Philly

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