About this Event
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Natural Hair Fest Minneapolis and AFROINTL Fashion Show Minneapolis Announce Major Celebration of Natural Beauty, Fashion, and Cultural Empowerment in 2026
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA — Natural Hair Fest Minneapolis 2026 and AFROINTL Fashion Show Minneapolis 2026 will take place on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at the Courtyard by Marriott Minneapolis Downtown located at 1500 Washington Avenue South in the East Town Ballroom; Minneapolis, MN 55454, United States.
Recognized as one of the nation’s emerging multicultural beauty and lifestyle platforms, Natural Hair Fest Minneapolis is a convention and celebration dedicated to natural beauty, healthy haircare practices, and community empowerment. The event will feature live product demonstrations, moderated discussions, educational presentations, networking opportunities, fashion showcases, and special guest appearances designed to inspire and educate consumers, beauty professionals, entrepreneurs, creatives, and emerging brands.
Natural Hair Fest Minneapolis provides a supportive platform for individuals who embrace hair in its natural state while promoting the use of natural, organic, vegan, and holistic haircare and skincare regimens. The event also serves as a road show experience that allows emerging brands to engage new customers through face-to-face, in-person, and online connections in one of the world’s most influential cultural markets.
The addition of AFROINTL Fashion Show Minneapolis brings together fashion, beauty, music, art, and cultural expression for a dynamic presentation celebrating textured hair, multicultural beauty, and contemporary style. Designers, models, hairstylists, barbers, makeup artists, photographers, and creatives from across the country are expected to participate in what organizers anticipate will be one of the organization’s largest events of the year.
Natural Hair Fest continues to support awareness surrounding the importance of inclusion and equal opportunity through conversations connected to the The CROWN Coalition and the historic The CROWN Act movement. “Create a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair” remains the driving force behind the legislation originally championed by Holly J. Mitchell in California. The CROWN Act became the first state-level legislation in the United States prohibiting discrimination based on hairstyle and hair texture, protecting the rights of individuals to wear natural hairstyles such as braids, locs, twists, knots, and Afros in workplaces and public schools.
On January 31, 2023, Governor Walz signed the CROWN Act into law!
This means that Minnesota’s civil rights law now confirms protection against discrimination based on race-based natural hair texture and styles such as braids, locs, and twists.
“Minnesota law is clear: Black Minnesotans have the right to express their racial identity through their natural hair without being discrimination against,” said Minnesota Department of Human Rights Commissioner Rebecca Lucero. “I am grateful to everyone who made this possible, especially the many community members who worked to pass this bill for years.”
What the Law Does
- Redefines Race: It legally redefines "race" in anti-discrimination laws to include traits historically associated with race, specifically hair texture and styles like braids, locs, twists, and afros.
- Prohibits Discrimination: Employers, schools, housing providers, and businesses open to the public cannot fire, refuse to hire, expel, or otherwise discriminate against individuals due to their natural hair.
- Safe Workplaces: Employers can still require employees to tie their hair back or wear hair nets for health and safety reasons, but these policies must be neutral and apply to all hair types and styles equally.
- Coverage: It is illegal for businesses, landlords, and city programs to discriminate against natural hair textures and protective styles (such as afros, braids, locs, and twists) commonly associated with race or national origin.
- State Status: While Cincinnati recognizes these protections locally, the State of Ohio has not yet passed a statewide version of the CROWN Act, though multiple municipalities have.
Attendees can expect a vibrant atmosphere featuring:
- Natural haircare and beauty exhibitors
- Fashion presentations and runway showcases
- Educational panels and live demonstrations
- Networking opportunities for entrepreneurs and beauty professionals
- Emerging multicultural beauty brands
- Haircare, skincare, wellness, and lifestyle resources
- Entertainment, live DJs, and cultural experiences
Natural Hair Fest continues its mission of creating access, visibility, education, and economic opportunities within the natural hair and beauty industry while celebrating the diversity and beauty of textured hair globally.
For vendor opportunities, sponsorships, media inquiries, tickets, and additional event information:
MarkDavid Carter
Founder / Platform Architect
Natural Hair Fest
Call/ TXT/WhatsApp/Zelle: 240.646.4819
Email: [email protected]
Notes to Editors:
MARK DAVID CARTER is the founder of NATURAL HAIR FEST EVENTS, a marketer and brand strategist. A former runway model, he is heralded as a mastermind of All Things Beauty. MarkDavid has been producing special events for the beauty culture community since 1992. For more information, including hi-res images, product descriptions, PRESS or VIP tickets, or to schedule interviews, contact Mark David Carter at (240) 646-4819 or email: [email protected].
NATURAL HAIR FEST MINNEAPOLIS & AFROINTL FASHION SHOW MINNEAPOLIS—MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, the Summer CELEBRATION for the “TOUR de NATURELLE 2026.” Sunday, July 26, 2026 | 10am-6pm and 6pm-11pm w/the MIND BODY & SOUL HEALTH, FITNESS & WELLNESS MARKETPLACE at the COURTYARD by MARRIOTT MINNEAPOLIS DOWNTOWN, 1500 Washington Avenue South in the East Town Ballroom, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55454--United States
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Courtyard by Marriott Minneapolis Downtown, 1500 Washington Avenue South, Minneapolis, United States
USD 31.95 to USD 5978.74
