Call for Speakers & Educators

Afrikan Intelligent 2026

The Evolution of Hair Show & King of Locks

We’re gathering elite stylists, barbers, locticians, and cultural educators from across the diaspora to teach, inspire, and celebrate. Share your craft and your voice on a global stage.

Event Dates: Feb 15–16, 2026 · 10 AM–7 PM EST · Zoom

2026 Speakers

Al Mayes

Afrikan intelligence hair history

Al Mayes is a nationally respected, award-winning 3rd generation Master Barber, educator, and community builder with over 29 years of grooming excellence. Founder of Mayes Barbering Atelier, he is renowned for blending timeless craftsmanship, cultural heritage, and emotional wellness to create a sacred grooming experience for modern men.

Simone Hylton

Locology -Master Class

Locology Master Class is an expert-led workshop that breaks down loc techniques for every Loc type. Through focused demos and step-by-step guidance covering two-strand twists, comb coils, interlocking, palm-rolling, backcombing, crochet and micro/Sisterlocks you'll learn how to choose and execute the right method to achieve your client desired size, maturity time, and finish while preventing tension damage and buildup. Includes practical troubleshooting, tools/products, recommendations, and live Q&A so you leave able to deliver consistent, salon-ready loc services.

Shanti Walker

Create a styling for a long locks.

This class is designed to teach stylists , creative ways to start locks that are past the client's mid back and longer.

Kirigo A Kabuga

Crowned & Profitable

Money mindset, Numbers & systems for Natural hair journey CEOs in 2026

Crowned & Profitable: Money Mindset, Numbers & Systems for Natural Hair CEOs 2026" is all about empowering Natural Hair entrepreneurs to shift from a hustler mindset to a CEO mindset. The presentation covers key topics such as understanding numbers, building simple systems for sales and cash flow, and setting clear money goals for 2026.

To achieve financial freedom, it's essential to redefine what wealth means to you and build multiple income streams without burnout. This involves identifying profitable revenue streams, separating business and personal finances, and creating a budget that works for you.

Some key takeaways include:

- Money Mindset Shift: Focus on clarity, confidence, and cash flow.

- Know Your Numbers: Track monthly income, expenses, and profit.

- Systems That Support Success: Build client, sales, and money systems

Youssef Barber

SefExplanatory Methods

Not your typical way to achieve a balanced perfect line up!

Michelle London

The Magic of a Stylist

A workshop and Q&A on personal style, legacy and inspiration. How to create magnetism for your business. Also bringing back inspiration to the chair

Renee Prophet

Intro to Plant-based Color

The color of your dreams with no bleach or caustic chemicals. Yes, it's possible!

•Plant-based color is the hair color of the future.

•Contains NO bleach, safer for hair

•Safer for client & stylist (less toxic to scalp & less fumes)

•Eco-friendly, sustainable

Lyric Daugherty

The Future of Loc Care: High-Touch Craftsmanship, Sacred Scalp Health & Global Innovation

In this session, Lyric — The Global Loc Specialist — explores the new era of loc care through a holistic, luxury, and culturally rooted lens. Blending advanced technique, sacred scalp practices, and high-performance client experience, Lyric unveils the systems she uses to cultivate long-term retention, premium clientele, and transformative results. She will share the philosophies behind her global expansion journey, the psychology of high-ticket loc services, and the wellness-centered approach that has positioned her as a trusted authority for clients and stylists around the world. Attendees will leave empowered with practical frameworks, mindset upgrades, and elevated strategies that align with the future of our industry.

Eric Sterling

Eric Sterling is an educator and the founder of Sterling Academy Youth, a UK‑based organisation supporting schools and colleges to tackle coming‑of‑age topics with young people. He has also worked with schools and families across the UK and US to support Black children navigating racially mixed and often hostile environments, with a focus on identity, belonging and leadership.

At The Evolution of Hair Show & TheKingofLoc Virtual Experience, Eric will lead “Raising Rooted Kids: A Black Male Educator’s Guide to Cultural Esteem & Confidence Across the UK and US,” a session exploring how historical and contemporary policing of Black hair impacts children’s sense of self, and how parents, educators and community figures can use language, rituals and relationships to build deep cultural esteem in the next generation.

Marla fatal

Wickology 101

WICKOLOGY CLASS with “TheWickLady™️”

Beginner class

-introduction to wicks

-safety guidelines

-formation of wicks

-basic needle size to use

-brief lesson on texture

- what wicks mean to us

-hands on wicks with

Cinque Brath

BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL WAS ABOUT HAIR

The origin of the Black is beautiful movement actually began with Natural hair acceptance. The reason that Black is Beautiful Movement kickoff date is january 28,1962 is because that is when the Grandassa Models debuted in Harlem and showcased what these pioneering Black women with Natural Hair illustrated to the world

Afiya Mbilishaka

From Roots to Mind: The Unspoken Power of African Hair

This talk explores the deep connection between African history, hair practices, and mental well-being. This talk invites stylists to look beyond technique and trends, uncovering how African hair carries stories of identity, resistance, and healing. By understanding the cultural roots of hair and the psychological impact of styling spaces, stylists gain the tools to create more informed, respectful, and emotionally supportive experiences behind the chair—transforming hair care into an act of empowerment and care for the whole person.

Keisha Felix

Training haircare entrepreneurs how to build a powerful, profitable brand without relying on fame, influencers, or celebrity endorsements. Instead of chasing clout, you’ll learn how to leverage authenticity, community, and real results to attract loyal customers who trust you and buy from you consistently. This class is about turning your real-life expertise, story, and customer transformations into your strongest marketing assets — so your brand grows because of connection, not celebrity.

Rose Lee Mathu

This session covers the framework to align your intentions to your the level of service you provide

Jonae’ Ford

In this hands-on silk press session, Jonae’ Ford walks participants through the essential foundations of achieving a flawless, healthy, and long-lasting silk press. She begins by demonstrating how to properly shampoo and prep the hair, emphasizing scalp care, cleansing techniques, and moisture balance. Next, she breaks down her signature blow-drying method, showing how tension, direction, and heat control create the perfect base for a silky finish. Jonae’ also highlights the professional products and tools she relies on—from heat protectants to brushes, dryers, and flat irons—explaining why each one matters in protecting the hair and producing a smooth, high-shine result. By the end of the session, viewers will understand not just how to silk press, but how to set the hair up for success from start to finish.

Queen Aduni

Why are we trying to fit into someone else’s narrative, training, education, history, etc. from a system that knows nothing about what we deal with around our hair. They’ve not experienced the kink, curl, texture … We must create our own certification. standards. We can and we will. Let’s talk then let’s do!

Nefertarei El Bey

From Service Provider to Wealth Steward

The cosmetology industry is facing a historic turning point known as the Great Wealth Transfer. While the industry generates billions, many professionals risk losing their hard-earned success because their wealth is tied strictly to their time behind the chair.

This 60-minute session is designed to transition attendees from a "skilled worker" mindset to a "business owner" legacy.

Nabilah Thames

Embrace Your Roots: Natural Remedies & Holistic Hair Nourishment

This Uplifting, culturally affirming, educational, and soulful session is a celebration of natural beauty and ancestral wisdom paired with practical holistic care.

The empowering workshop invites you to rediscover the deep connection between your hair, your health, and your heritage. Designed for Black and African American women and men who want to nourish their natural crown from the inside out, Embrace Your Roots blends ancestral wisdom, holistic science, and modern wellness practices.