Loc Fest NYC 2021: Recollections, Recordings, & Respect For These Black Local Business Owners

"This annual festival honors the beauty of Loc'd and natural hair, celebrates loc culture, and foster community connections in the greater New York City area." - LOC FEST https://www.locfestnyc.com/.

It was September 12th, a Sunday afternoon, in Brooklyn, New York. The sun had already reached its peak. I walked into Commodore Barry Park, less stressed about the last three traffic jams. In each step, I snuck a whine as soulful melodies of Burna Boy and Damien Marley coursed through my body. The party was just beginning. I was completely mindful of the energies around me. Delicious smells of hot food filled the air. People were adorned from head to toe with vibrant and expressive colors. I didn't engage much at first, but I was internally smiling. I loved to watch the facial expressions of positivity, connection, and abundance. Butterflies found a temporary home in my stomach. I captured, with my eyes, so many sun-kissed locs—all in one place. I was filled with gratitude to experience the creativity and freedom in the way people cared and styled their locs. As I observed curiously, I was astounded by the talents I had seen on display. The push of creative initiatives to empower our communities was intentional.

For weeks, the organizers of Loc fest NYC filled their socials with high anticipation. Announcements of performers, panelists, and vendors graced my timelines in Pan-African colors and genuine love. Considering that my one-year "locversary" was coming up, Loc Fest was my chance to learn and be inspired by other people who look like me. My preparation included a camera, lawn chair, and manifestations of loc goals, crystals, and dancing in the sun. Everything served its purpose. I also carried a large blue tote bag. It had been a long season of not attending any festivals, so a summer-ending shopping spree was what I needed. I bought strong, durable African cloths to hold my baby locs in between retwists. I started building my sustainable jewelry collection from copper rings to amethyst necklaces. 

From highlighting the roots of Loc'd culture to inviting community participants on stage, Loc Fest hosted a spectacular show. There were singing and spoken word performances, acting skits about self-confidence, a hair and fashion show, and more. People danced barefoot in the grass. Strangers danced together in unity. They circled around the stage with honor and acceptance. I was honored to see the movement unfold. 

During the latter half of the festival, I found myself having beautiful and honest exchanges. So, I wanted to record and share them. Similar to Loc Fest, the black local business owners I had met honored culture and freedom. They embraced me as I was. Their personal stories and lifestyle intertwined so uniquely with their products and services. I met men and women alike, all self-aware and self-confident, passionate in representing their brands. I couldn't connect with everyone, but I would love to introduce or reintroduce the following creatives and local business owners I've had the pleasure of supporting and connecting with. 

Please show them some love.

Elizabeth Precius aka EP’sway

Chef, Curator, Event Planner & Freelance Makeup Artist

LifeProArtiste Art Gallery Shop & Precius Beaute

Brooklyn, NY

Products & Services: Vegan & Plant-Based Cuisine, Haitian Flavors, Freelance Makeup, Marketing, Art Gallery Summer Sessions, Paint & Sips

“I curate different artwork for different Haitian artists because we would like to put money in their pockets and support them.”

https://www.instagram.com/epsway_epsway/

https://www.instagram.com/eps_preciusbeaute/

Note. Elizabeth is currently raising funds for a mission to Haiti. She wants to support its people in such hard times, including recent natural disasters and the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse. She is looking for people to be part of a team and is looking forward to creating baskets with emergency necessities. Connect with her on Instagram: @epsway_epsway.

Left: Prince Emagine

Singer, Dancer & Multimedia Artist 

Brooklyn, Manhattan, & LI, NY

Instagram: Prince Emagine (@princeemagine)

Music: Milk And Honey (feat. Negus Adeyemi)

Right: Brother Rojo

Alkaline Vegan Chef

Powerful Pioneers

Products & Services: Wellness Support Marketing, Financial Management, B2B, Edutainment, Music, Health and Wealth Services; Documentary: Who Started Reggaeton, and more. 

“What we do with our Brother Prince Emagine, we bring sound vibrations to our people. Our health is our wealth. We incorporated the Alkaline lifestyle with our entrepreneurship.” 

Instagram:  isayrojo (@isaywellness)

Youtube: Powerful Pioneers Alkaline

Youtube: Powerful Pioneers TV

Youtube:  Video Documentary: Who Started Reggaeton

Website: Powerful Pioneers

Coco

Phytotherapist, Master Clinical Herbalist, & Master Clinical Aromatherapist

Earth’s Cabinet LLC & Earth’s Pot LLC

Products & Services: Oils, Teas, Cleanses, Custom Orders, Food Recipes

“Life is very important. We have two bodies. We have a physical body and an immortal body, but the body that keeps the physical body alive is the immortal body. You have to take care of your body and make sure your body is clean, so that you can elongate your life. So you can actually extend the experience of this physical plane. This is very imperative and important. This is why I created this brand because I really want to assist people in understanding the importance of taking care of your body. Not only by saying it, but doing it. Not only by doing it but feeling it.”

Instagram: Earth's Pot™️ (@earthspotllc)

Earth's Cabinet LLC™️ 🌱 (@earthscabinetllc)

Messiah Ramkisson

Spoken Word Poet & Hip Hop Artist 

Founder of “Black Fathers Are Necessary”

Writer of “Black Fathers” music single

Products & Services: “Black Fathers Are Necessary” merchandise, Music streaming on all platforms

“As creatives, we have a responsibility in terms of what’s healthy for the community, and push that in our messages as creatives, whether it’s through song, fashion, and events like Loc Fest NYC. We have to be the keepers of our culture.”

Instagram: : Messiah Ramkissoon (@messiahramkissoon)

Merchandise: TheEyeOfFreedom: Messiah Ramkissoon

NayMarie 

Founder, Designer, & NYC Photographer

Adorned in Taji & Taji Magazine 

Products & Services: Crystal, Copper, Cowrie, Wood, and Glass beaded jewel pieces; Quarterly Digital & Print Magazine; Photography

“Taji is your black culture publication. In December, we will be doing it for seven years. It comes out quarterly. It features black vegan recipes, think pieces, health and wellness, fitness, travel. I also make beautiful adornments of crystal, cowrie, and copper for healing you on the inside and and outside.”

Instagram:  Adorned in Taji (@adornedintaji)

Taji Magazine Taji Mag (@tajimagazine) 

Website: Adorned in Taji - Crystal, Cowrie, Wood, & Glass Pieces for ALL!