The Happily Natural Day Festival

Happily Natural Day (HND) is an african centered business expo, cultural arts and craft trade show, and two day holistic health, cultural awareness and social change conference plus hip hop, soul and spoken word showcase featuring fashion and natural hair exhibitions. The mission of Happily Natural Day is to promote holistic health, cultural awareness and social change in the African American community. Founded in 2003; 2012 marks the 10th Annual Celebration of HND

Register for Happily Natural Attendance

What is Black August?

Black August originated in the concentration camps of California to honor fallen Freedom Fighters, Jonathan Jackson, George Jackson, William Christmas, James McClain and Khatari Gaulden. Jonathan Jackson was gunned down outside the Marin County California courthouse on August 7, 1970 as he attempted to liberate three imprisoned Black Liberation Fighters: James McClain, William Christmas and Ruchell Magee. Ruchell Magee is the sole survivor of that armed rebellion. He is the former co-defendant of Angela Davis and has been locked down for 40 years, most of it in solitary confinement. Prison guards assassinated George Jackson during a Black prison rebellion at San Quentin on August 21, 1971. Three prison guards were also killed during that rebellion and prison officials charged six Black and Latino prisoners with the death of those guards. These six brothers became known as the San Quentin Six.

Black August Organizing Commitee Website

Join FTP "Movement for the People"

The FTP Movement is a machine and what makes the machine work is the belief in family ties, trust, loyalty, integrity, discipline and punctuality.

The FTP Movement is an innovative community whirlwind and recognized organizational conglomerate. A bright vivid picture of the changing of the guards, the Movement’s primary focus is to serve as an activator of the community. The FTP Movement is a strong advocate of building institutions and providing practical solutions for the people. We believe in putting theory into practice by implementing viable programs that actually benefit those who need them most.

The FTP Movement deals with a plethora of issues including (but not limited to); Education, hunger, homelessness, police brutality, political prisoners, health, youth development and gang intervention.

Taking on the mantra “Elders for counsel, Youth for war”, FTP has a proven magnetic attraction amongst the youth. FTP has been able to maintain it’s stay along the vein of youth culture, because we keep our finger on the pulse. We are successful amongst the youth, because we are constantly surrounded by the youth. When we say youth we are generally speaking about people under 40. We seek advice from those who came before us, and we modernize our methods to organize more effectively.

The Happily Natural Day CSA

Happily Natural also manages the Richmond Noir Market; an urban farmers market that serves low income communities by providing access to organic fresh fruits and vegetables. In 2010 Happily Natural Day launched the Happily Natural Day CSA to address health disparities in low income communities by partnering with Salim Farms and offering 20 pounds of healthy produce & fruit for $20 dollars in areas designated as "food deserts". In 2011 the program was approved by the USDA to accept SNAP (supplemental nutritional assistance program) or food stamp benefits. Register today for 20 weeks of 20 pounds of assorted fruits and vegetables for $320.

Register: HNDCSA or Join: Our Facebook Group

Happily Natural Poster Fundraiser Sale

In celebration of our 10th Annual Celebration we have teamed up with the legendary Baz Pringle of Grafika66 for the commemorative poster. Celebrating a decade of self-determination means that for 10 years Happily Natural Day has consistently presented the finest minds in the cultural community; without diluting our message or commercializing the culture or what we stand for. Since 2003 we have stood for "substance over image"; acknowledging that "it is bigger than your afro", giving our attendees a "cure for their creamy crack addiction" and more "in the spirit of Marcus Garvey" at this annual "celebration of black consciousness".

Since we came in door many have taken up the banner of natural hair; yet we stand on the back of the movement for the people. Support us and keep the festival free by purchasing a Commemorative Poster

$10 Love: Poster Fundraiser

The Happily Natural Awards

Happily Natural Day has had the honor of featuring some of the best and brightest individuals and businesses in the African Diaspora. The Happily Natural Awards is our way of saying thank you to all those who have dedicated themselves to the causes of holistic health, culture and social change. The categories are The Afro Pick Award: Natural Hair Product of the Year, The Wadjet Award: Holistic Health & Healing Business of the Year, The Duafe Award: Holistic Beauty & Wellness Business of the Year, The Akoben Award: Activist of the Year, The Asase Ye Duru Award: African-Inspired Woman Entrepreneur of the Year, The Khepra Award: Cultural Arts, Creativity & Social Engagement and the Nsoromma: Life Long Committment Award.

Make Happily Natural Award Nomination Here

Happily Natural Urban Agriculture Project

Do you have a green thumb? Join us as Happily Natural Day gears up for the launch of the McDonough Community Garden! After coordinating the Richmond Noir Market for two years, we realized the importance of growing fresh organic fruits and vegetables & making them accessible, the cultural impacts plus the health and economic benefits. We have developed a youth urban agriculture summer program and are currently seeking volunteers for the garden. Planning is currently underway and your participation is highly encouraged!

To Get Involved Contact Us Today

Interested in Performing @ HND2012?

Happily Natural Day features socially conscious artists from a wide variety of mediums. Whether spoken word, hip-hop, soul, instrumentation, theater arts or a fusion of all of the above; we welcome your talents to be shared with the masses in attendance. Due to the volume of performances at Happily Natural Day, artists who perform are granted exhibitor table space in exchange for their performance for the sale of merchandise and wares.

Would You like to Perform? Send Us an Email

Happily Natural Day Sponsorship

Sponsors love Happily Natural Day because the event is packed with an enthusiastic & appreciative audience and because the festival offers a unique opportunity to reach an African American demographic niche market by seamlessly integrating their presence into the event in numerous ways: video clips on large screen projection, in venue signage, product placement, website presence, email blasts, live stage mentions, and affiliated event sponsorships are all a small sampling of what we offer.

Find Out More About Sponsorship

Happily Natural Day Exhibitor Spaces

Happily Natural is also looking for high quality exhibits for it’s annual celebration taking place this August in Richmond and Atlanta. Vending is an excellent way to make money, promote and network at the same time. Our attendees are looking for natural hair & skin products, original fashion & accessories, DVDs & books, arts & crafts, wellness products, financial planning, community based organizations, alternative health practitioners, healthy food choices & more.

Find Out More About Vending

Advertise in Our Event Magazine

Happily Natural Day provides businesses the opportunity to advertise in our annual event magazine. This full color keepsake is loaded with content; featuring articles, interviews, resources and tips for attendees to the festival celebrations in Richmond and Atlanta. If you are looking for ways to ensure your brands message gets out to the masses; each magazine will also be included in the  kits that each attendee receives with their entrance to the festival.

Find Out More About Advertising

Wayne Chandler at HND Richmond 2012

Author of “Ancient Future: The Teachings and Prophetic Wisdom of the Seven Hermetic Laws of Ancient Egypt”, Wayne B. Chandler is a motivational speaker and workshop facilitator who has lectured around the world. He began his study of Yoga spiritual science in the early 70s under the guidance of Swami Vishnudevenanda where he learned the Sivananda system of Hatha yoga and Pranayama. Mr. Chandler is a martial artist with over 25 years of experience. He is trained in the systems of Northern Chinese Kung-fu (Chung Chuan or Long Fist). He also has extensive training in the African based martial art of Capoeira in which he has been an instructor for 13 yrs. Wayne Chandler Guest Presenter at HND2012 Richmond

To Get Involved Contact Us Today