The Loc’d Life Expo honors loc culture, natural hair, fashion, entrepreneurship, and community at Kennedy-King College on September 12.
Locs are more than a hairstyle, they represent culture, identity and self-expression”— Gail MitchellCHICAGO, IL, UNITED STATES, August 25, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Gail Mitchell, who serves as Executive Director of the Loc’d Life Foundation, is organizing Chicago’s debut Locs Festival, the Loc’d Life Expo, scheduled for Saturday, September 12, 2026, at Kennedy-King College, located at 740 W. 63rd Street in Chicago.
The Loc’d Life Expo will run from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., uniting members of Chicago’s loc’d and natural-hair communities in a day focused on culture, creativity, entrepreneurship, education, and self-expression.
Mitchell, a Chicago native raised by Jamaican-born parents, has maintained locs for 18 years and undergone her own natural hair journey—starting with relaxed hair, moving to a loose natural style, and finally adopting locs. Through the Loc’d Life Foundation, she aims to shift the perception of locs from merely a hairstyle to a profound form of self-expression.
“Locs are more than a hairstyle, they represent culture, identity and self-expression,” said Gail Mitchell, Executive Director of the Loc’d Life Foundation. “The Loc’d Life Expo gives our community a place to celebrate that.”
The festival’s lineup includes a live hair and fashion show, panel discussions, demonstrations, performances, music, food, vendors, swag bags, and a dedicated Kidz Korner, offering a full-day experience for both adults and families.
Attendees can also explore businesses that provide products and services for locs and natural hair, while supporting entrepreneurs who serve Chicago’s loc’d and natural-hair communities.
Alderwoman Jeanette Taylor and Korporate will be honored during the Loc’d Life Expo, with Dr. Kisha Roberts Tabb and Dilla taking part in the day’s programming.
A further highlight of the Expo will be the recognition of the winners from the inaugural Loc’d Life LadyLocs Awards, adding an extra layer of celebration to a day that honors individuals making a difference within the loc’d community.
Loc’d Life Magazine is a sponsor of the Loc’d Life Expo.
Additional community partners supporting the Expo include Styles4Kidz, Black Girl Vitamins, and the Center of Equity for Creative Arts at Kennedy-King College, among others.
Beyond her role at the Loc’d Life Foundation, Mitchell serves as an Associate Professor of Communication Design at Kennedy-King College, one of the City Colleges of Chicago, where she imparts knowledge from the publishing industry to her students.
Mitchell has also worked in Chicago’s design sector for over two decades. Her professional history includes positions at the Chicago Tribune; Associated Publications, which publishes Sophisticate’s Black Hair Styles and Care Guide; Johnson Publishing Company, home of Jet Magazine; [culture] Magazine; and the Chicago Defender.
This blend of personal experience, education, publishing, and design has shaped Mitchell’s vision for the Loc’d Life Foundation and the Loc’d Life Expo. Through the organization, she aims to boost visibility for the loc’d community while fostering opportunities for cultural celebration, education, representation, and entrepreneurship.
For Tickets, click the "Loc’d Life Expo" link above.
Event Details
Event: Loc’d Life Expo — Chicago’s First Locs Festival
Date: Saturday, September 12, 2026
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Location: Kennedy-King College
Address: 740 W. 63rd Street, Chicago, Illinois
Website: www.locdlifefoundation.org
About Gail Mitchell
Gail Mitchell is Executive Director of the Loc’d Life Foundation, an Associate Professor of Communication Design at Kennedy-King College, and a Chicago design and publishing professional with over 20 years of industry experience. A Chicago native born to Jamaican-born immigrants, Mitchell has worn locs for 18 years and navigated a personal journey from relaxed hair to loose natural hair to locs. Her professional background includes work with the Chicago Tribune, Associated Publications, Johnson Publishing Company’s Jet Magazine, [culture] Magazine, and the Chicago Defender. Through the Loc’d Life Foundation, Mitchell seeks to transform the narrative around locs, presenting them not merely as a style but as a powerful form of self-expression.
About Loc’d Life Foundation
Loc’d Life Foundation is committed to celebrating and increasing visibility for the loc’d community through cultural programming, community engagement, and events like the Loc’d Life Expo.
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