About The Expo

       Baltimore ’s Natural Hair Care Expo was established in 2002 by Malaika Tamu Cooper and is fundamentally a network of African-influenced cultural/creative micro & small enterprises.  We focus on the promotion of natural hair care and of traditional and contemporary functional wearable art with a strong focus on alternative medicine and holistic health.

     The network is comprised of natural hair Braiders, Lock-ticians, clothes designers, jewelry makers and accessory makers and an expanding contingent of alternative/complementary practitioners.

     Baltimore’s Natural Hair Care Exposé signature event is ‘It Comes Naturally/ 400 years without a comb – Baltimore’s only major Conference on Locks, Natural Hair, Health, Beauty & Wearable Art’.  The conference has been a sellout event since 2003. The theme for 2008 is “A Nappy Nation”.

     Baltimore ’s Natural Hair Care Expo is led by and experienced and successful management and operational team whose collective portfolio spans the community, private and statutory sectors with expertise in organizational development, event promotion, conferencing, marketing, finance and training.

a)       Encourage links between creative entrepreneurs who often work in isolation and who are largely unsupported;

b)       Explore cross-fertilization of art forms and encourage ongoing exchange of ideas and experience;

c)       Organize training and learning activities for creative entrepreneurs which enhance a range of skills and personal competences;

d)       Facilitate and raise awareness of opportunities for working with mainstream initiatives and organizations within the community;

e)      Organize events (exhibitions, seminars, workshops) which raise the profile of practitioners and expose members of the wider community to work which stimulates and promotes positive cultural expression, health and well-being.

  What You Can Expect in 2008  

·          Exposure to approximately 2,000 –4000 visitors  

·          Affordable entrance and workshop fees to encourage maximum attendance.  You can consider your participation a low cost, low risk investment for an excellent return  

·          Increased number and variety of workshops/seminars run by industry leaders  

·          Larger conference operations team to ensure smooth running of workshops and to attend the needs of exhibitors and visitors  

·          Greater variety of affordable food including Vegan  

·          A good balance of exhibitors with no over representation of services and products  

·          In 2006, Baltimore ’s Natural Hair Care Expo attracted approximately 3,000 visitors from all over the country;

·          A diversity of creative services and practitioners were involved including natural hair stylists and lock-ticians, clothes and jewelry designers, health practitioners and educational organizations;

  ·          Baltimore ’s Natural Hair Care Expo attracted wide press coverage (including coverage from the Radio One Group);  

·          Dreadz N’ Headz Natural Hair Salon under the direction of Malaika-Tamu Cooper (the founders of the Expo) has taught internationally (Paris, London , Toronto Jamaica etc. etc. ) her techniques for natural hair care was judged at the World Natural Hair Show in Atlanta (June 2003/ 2004).  As a result, a number of interesting partnerships are being discussed;  

·          Baltimore ’s Natural Hair Care Expo has developed relationships with a range of professionals/experts (legal, business, marketing, design consultancy) and services (printing, web design).