Gail Mitchell and Loc’d Life Foundation Bring Chicago’s First Locs Festival to Kennedy-King College
Gail Mitchell, Executive Director of the Loc’d Life Foundation, will lead Chicago’s first Locs Festival, the Loc’d Life Expo, on September 12 at Kennedy-King College.
Loc’d Life Expo celebrates 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”
CHICAGO, IL, UNITED STATES, August 25, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Gail Mitchell, Executive Director of the Loc’d Life Foundation, will lead Chicago’s first Locs Festival, the Loc’d Life Expo, on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at Kennedy-King College, 740 W. 63rd Street in Chicago.— Gail Mitchell
Taking place from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., the Loc’d Life Expo will bring together members of Chicago’s loc’d and natural-hair communities for a day celebrating culture, creativity, entrepreneurship, education and self-expression.
Mitchell, a native of Chicago born to Jamaican-born immigrants, has worn locs for 18 years and has experienced her own natural hair journey from relaxed hair, to a loose natural, to locs. Through the Loc’d Life Foundation, she hopes to change the narrative surrounding locs from being viewed as simply a hairstyle to being recognized as an ultimate 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 will feature a live hair and fashion show, panel discussions, demonstrations, performances, music, food, vendors, swag bags and a dedicated Kidz Korner, creating a full-day experience for adults and families.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to discover businesses offering products and services for locs and natural hair while supporting entrepreneurs serving Chicago’s loc’d and natural-hair communities.
Alderwoman Jeanette Taylor and Korporate will be recognized as honorees during the Loc’d Life Expo, with Dr. Kisha Roberts Tabb and Dilla also participating in the day’s programming.
Another highlight of the Expo will be recognition of the winners of the first-ever Loc’d Life LadyLocs Awards, adding another element of celebration to a day centered on individuals making an impact within the loc’d community.
Loc’d Life Magazine is a sponsor of the Loc’d Life Expo.
The Expo is also supported by community partners including Styles4Kidz, Black Girl Vitamins and the Center of Equity for Creative Arts at Kennedy-King College, among others.
In addition to her leadership with the Loc’d Life Foundation, Mitchell is an Associate Professor of Communication Design at Kennedy-King College, one of the City Colleges of Chicago, where she shares insights from the publishing industry with her students.
Mitchell has also worked in Chicago’s design industry for more than 20 years. Her professional experience includes roles with the Chicago Tribune; Associated Publications, publisher of Sophisticate’s Black Hair Styles and Care Guide; Johnson Publishing Company, home of Jet Magazine; [culture] Magazine; and the Chicago Defender.
That combination 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 is working to create greater visibility for the loc’d community while providing 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 more than 20 years of industry experience. A Chicago native born to Jamaican-born immigrants, Mitchell has worn locs for 18 years and has experienced her own 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 change the narrative surrounding locs by presenting them not simply as a style, but as a powerful form of self-expression.
About Loc’d Life Foundation
Loc’d Life Foundation is dedicated to celebrating and increasing visibility for the loc’d community through cultural programming, community engagement and events such as the Loc’d Life Expo.
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