Happy Nappy Day + Poets in the Park returns July 13 with hip-hop icon Kwamé, community poetry and natural hair celebration
The 23rd annual Happy Nappy Day – Poets in the Park festival will transform historic Gwynn Oak Park into a day-long celebration of natural beauty, music and spoken word on Sunday, July 13, 2025, from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Founded in 2002 by loctician, entrepreneur and community advocate Malaika Tamu-Cooper, owner of Baltimore’s pioneering Dreadz-N-Headz Natural Hair Care Center, the free outdoor gathering blends a natural-hair expo with a live poetry-and-music showcase. Often called the city’s “Loc Mama,” Tamu-Cooper launched the event to create an inclusive space “where our crowns, our culture and our creativity could shine in the open air.”
“Happy Nappy Day has always been about embracing your own natural beauty — what you see is what you get,” says Tamu-Cooper. “On July 13, you’ll see Baltimore celebrating itself, outdoors, in rhythm and in community.”
2025 Headliner: Kwamé
This year’s program gets an extra jolt of Golden-Era flair with a special appearance by Kwamé, the Queens-born rapper and producer known for ’90s hits such as “Only You” and his trademark polka-dot style. Fans can expect a high-energy set plus a fireside chat about hip-hop’s evolution and self-expression.
What to Expect
- Live Poetry and Open Mic: Regional spoken-word artists and first-time readers share work that uplifts Black identity and wellness.
- Natural-Hair Village: On-site stylists demo protective styles, loc maintenance, and scalp-care techniques; eco-friendly product vendors line the park’s shaded walkways.
- Marketplace and Food Court: More than 40 small businesses sell artisanal crafts, handmade jewelry and plant-based cuisine.
- Family Zone: Drum circles, double-Dutch challenges and a kids’ author corner keep young festival-goers engaged all afternoon.
- Wellness Grove: Yoga, guided meditation and herbal-health talks round out the holistic focus of the day.
Event Details
When: Sunday, July 13, 2025 • 1 p.m.–7 p.m.
Where: Gwynn Oak Park, 6010 Gwynn Oak Ave., Gwynn Oak (Woodlawn), MD 21207
Cost: Free – donations to the community scholarship fund are welcome
RSVP and Vendor Info: Eventbrite ticketing and vendor registration are open now.
About Malaika Tamu-Cooper and Dreadz-N-Headz
A Baltimore native with more than 25 years of natural-hair mastery, Tamu-Cooper has trained locticians across the U.S. and abroad, authored community health curricula and won the National Golden Scissors “Natural Hair Stylist of the Year” award three consecutive years. Her salon, Dreadz-N-Headz, remains a hub for heritage-based beauty and holistic empowerment.
SOURCE: Dreadz-N-Headz