PROOF OF LIFE is online now! In 1942, renowned photographer, composer, author, poet, and filmmaker Gordon Parks came to Washington D.C. to document the harsh realities of Black life in the city. His work shed light on the effects of segregation for Black people in the nation’s capitol, producing iconic images such as American Gothic. For inktober in 2019, visual artist Justin Johnson (@the.k.in.cmyk )recreated various works of Parks from his tenure in D.C., through scratchboard art. These pieces can be found through our Proof of Life book, as well as the front cover, depicting a group of young girls in Southwest D.C. taking ballerina lessons.

PROOF OF LIFE is online now! Every hoodie and tshirt comes with our Proof of Life Book! Model: @a78759 📸: @nayion202

PROOF OF LIFE BOOK Cover art by @the.k.in.cmyk Swipe to hear some insight from our Creative Director @nayion202 about the inspiration of the Book. Online NOW!

Excerpts from our conversation with @brit.just.paints Sometimes introductions are simple. Britt Just Paints. The southeast native is a visual self taught graffiti artist that often touches on subjects of race, politics, culture and her family history. In 2022 Britt landed a collaboration with the Washington Commanders, designing for their HBCU towel rally and showcasing her pieces at their stadium. In 2023, Britt had her first solo show titled “Street Code at Homme Gallery in D.C. We got a chance to visit her studio and discuss what fuels her work. Our full conversation can be found in our 100 page PROOF OF LIFE BOOK, which comes with every t-shirt and hoodie. PROOF OF LIFE merch is online now!

Excerpts from our conversation with @deedwyerjonts Dee Dwyer is a force of nature in Washington D.C. Her dynamic photography brings viewers directly into the streets of the city with intimate portraits or slices of life often based in Wards 7 and 8. Her work and direct relationship with community members has earned her the title of “The Visual Voice for the People.” While Dwyer’s work has graced the walls of The National Gallery of Art, The Phillips Collection, The National Building Museum and publications such as Vogue, Rolling Stone, National Geographic, The New York Times, The Washington Post, BET, and NPR, D.C. is her home base. In the summer of 2025, The Pack World had the opportunity to collaborate on Dwyer’s resurrected event, The @chocolatecityexperience . In our conversation with Dee, we spoke on how D.C. continues to inspire her, why community fuels her work, and the importance of documentation in the current climate of the city. Our full conversation can be found in our 100 page PROOF OF LIFE BOOK, which comes with every t-shirt and hoodie. PROOF OF LIFE merch is online now!

Photographs are one of our greatest examples of Proof of Life. Not only are they an opportunity to preserve a memory, photographs serve as a tool of expression. In D.C., there is no greater snapshot in time than the “booth photo.” These photographs give viewers the context clues of past trends in fashion, music, and widespread culture. We sat down with friend of the brand Nate Perkins, a D.C. native who lived through the gogo era of the 80’s and 90’s to share some of his favorite memories of the past, and why it was also so important to always grab a photo when you step out. The full conversation can be found in our 100 page PROOF OF LIFE, which is included with every hoodie and tshirt. PROOF OF LIFE merch is online now!

Excerpts from our conversation with @tyhobsonpowelldc Ty Hobson-Powell is no stranger to advocacy efforts in Washington D.C. In 2020 he was on the frontlines of several protests movements, and organized several demonstration and community resource efforts over the years. As someone who graduated high school at age 13 and received his master’s degree at age 17, Ty is no stranger to being looked upon as a thought leader within the city. But as he ages, Hobson-Powell is assessing how he can make the biggest impact going forward. In the summer of 2025, he released his book, The Fire Right Now: A Defiant Call to Reclaim Power and Redefine Progress. In our conversation, Ty shares why community serves as a core tenet in his advocacy. The full conversation can be found in our PROOF OF LIFE book. PROOF OF LIFE is online now! Each item comes with our 100 page PROOF OF LIFE book, where we interviewed community members across DC about what fuels their work across the city. Profile photographs by a78759 Polaroids by  @nayion202

Excerpts from our conversation with Keyonna Jones. Keyonna Jones is a mutli-dimensional artist who wears many hats on the Soufside of Washington D.C. Her work often marries art with community advocacy, and the Congress Heights Arts and Culture Center, which celebrated its 10 year anniversary in 2025, serves as her homebase to bring cultural opportunities to Wards 7 and 8. If you’ve been to Sycamore and Oak, you may have stopped by her store Soufside Creative. We first met Keyonna when we interviewed her for our Pack Express newspaper project in 2022. Since then, we’ve been a first hand witness to how she wears her heart on her sleeve within her community. In our conversation, she shared a bit about her purpose and her love for the city. The full conversation can be found in our PROOF OF LIFE book. PROOF OF LIFE is online now! Each item comes with our 100 page PROOF OF LIFE book, where we interviewed community members across DC about what fuels their work across the city. Profile photographs by a78759 Polaroids by @nayion202

PROOF OF LIFE In 1943, Southwest D.C held a deep divide of wealthy and poor residents, separated on opposite sides of what is known today as Fourth Street SW. Godfrey Frankel, a social worker who made a hobby of photography explored these alleyways with his camera, capturing the harsh realities of Black life that were merely steps away from the powers of the United States Capitol. It wasn’t until 1995 that Frankel landed a book deal for his collection of photographs, ‘In the Alleys.’ Frankel died the same year PROOF OF LIFE is online now! Tshirts and hoodies will be available for purchase. Every items comes with our exclusive 100 page PROOF OF LIFE book that highlights community members in D.C. who are keeping are culture alive and present. Photography by @districtofkluse and @nayion202 Model: @montstrosity

Our first pop-up for PROOF OF LIFE will be Saturday December 13 from 7pm to 9pm at @thevillage.dc 1325 5th St NE DC Suite G2 Reshare and tag @thepack.world for to enter our giveaway for a PROOF OF LIFE book PROOF OF LIFE t-shirts and hoodies will be available for purchase, along with Chocolate City Hoodies, hats and DC Flag snapbacks. Each PROOF OF LIFE shirt and hoodies come with a copy of our 100 page book featuring original artwork from @thekincymk and photography from @a78759 Essays by @distictofkluse and @nayion202 As well as our conversations with: Imani Shanklin Roberts (@imaniniasr) Dee Dwyer (@deedwyerjonts) Ty Hobson Powell (@tyhobsonpowelldc) Keyonna Jones (@kayemjay6) Brandon Starkes (@thepeoplesmarketdmv) Britnee Scott (@brit.just.paints) Commodity (@commoditys.goods)

Excerpt from our conversation with Brandon Starkes, founder of @thepeoplesmarketdmv When Brandon Starkes launched The People’s Market in 2022, his goal was to create more opportunities for Black farmers and other historically underrepresented groups. Ultimately he wanted to recirculate dollars back into local communities while introducing better eating habits. Three years later, he’s made great progress toward achieving that goal, and gained a community within the food industry in the region. The food delivery service sends fresh produce to your doorstep using his growing network of local farmers in D.C., Maryland and Virginia. As The People’s Market has grown, he’s developed his community through a series of weekend farmers markets at @black.and.forth and @shanklinhall . The People’s Market now services residents in all of Prince George’s County, D.C., most of Montgomery County, Arlington, Alexandria, as well as Baltimore. In 2023, we got the opportunity to design merch for The People’s Market, and it’s been amazing to see the progress of the movement in two short years. We visited Brandon at his warehouse and asked a few questions about what inspires him to serves the communities here. Our full conversation can be found in our latest clothing capsule Proof of Life, featuring our 100 page book highlighting community member across the district. PROOF OF LIFE is online now! Shot/edited by @nayion202 on #super8film and vhs Photography stills from @districtofkluse and @nayion202

Excerpts of our conversation with Imani Shanklin Roberts. @shanklinhall located in the Adams Morgan neighborhood of Washington D.C., has made a name for itself as one of the hubs of Black creativity in the city. They have played host to several specialized events, art shows, or just good ole fashion parties in D.C. Imani Shanklin Roberts is one of the five co-founders of this institution. Her background as an artist and art therapist have helped develop Shanklin Hall’s distinctive interior design and the art that dons its walls. Roberts has curated those inner walls of the space through her open art calls and creative-in-residence program, which gives an artist the opportunity to curate a wall within the building. When we got a chance to talk with Imani, Shanklin Hall was on the verge of opening their long anticipated newly renovated upstairs. In our conversation she shares how family, community, and the Black experience of growing up in D.C. drive her purpose. The full conversation can be found in our upcoming Proof of Life Book, which will be included with each t-shirt or hoodie within this collection. PROOF OF LIFE is available on our site now! Profile photographs by a78759 Polaroids by @nayion202

PROOF OF LIFE commercial starring @papbrady Audio is from Gil Scott Heron’s famous video in Washington D.C. explaining the difference between the city tourist see and the city the D.C. residents inhabit. Hoodies and T-shirts will be available for this project featuring our 100 page Proof of Life Book expanding on the concept. Each day for the next two weeks we’ll share an excerpt from this project. Release details for merch will be available soon! If you have a question, shoot us a DM! Shot/Edited on @kodak_shootfilm #super8film by @nayion202

This concept, and call to action, inspired us to stop and think about some of the people in our community whose work is the living embodiment of PROOF OF LIFE. We spoke with 7 people - leaders of the community and in their fields - on the state of the city and asked them the following questions: “Who are you?”, “Why are you here?” and “Can we count on you?” Their responses provided us with context from the past, hope for the future and a calling and purpose that requires their blood, sweat and tears in the present. These conversations were held with: @imaniniasr of @shanklinhall @deedwyerjonts @tyhobsonpowelldc @kayemjay6 @thepeoplesmarketdmv @brit.just.paints @commoditys.goods Our full conversations will be released in our 100 page PROOF OF LIFE Book, which will be available with each t-shirt and hoodie package.

Trailer for PROOF OF LIFE, a new concept from @thepackworld Proof of Life asserts that the true Washington, D.C., the D.C. forged by generations of African Americans, is still here, alive and fighting, even as the city’s native communities are held hostage by rapid redevelopment and cultural erasure. Over the last six months we interviewed seven members of the D.C. community to not only show that we’re still here, but to look at how Chocolate City motivated their ambitions. After a year of work, we’re excited to share this project. 🎥 on @kodak_shootfilm #super8film by @nayion202 Voice Narration: @montstrosity Words: @districtofkluse

Chocolate City Corduroy hats and Hoodies are back in stock, exclusively (for now) at @downtowndcholidaymarket’s @thisismadeindc booth! Stop by this weekend to grab yours!

Chocolate City hoodies and DC Flag hats are back, exclusively at the @downtowndcholidaymarket ‘s @thisismadeindc booth (for now) 🎁 The Made in DC Booth (#59) is located along F Street NW between 7th & 9th Streets — right at the Gallery Place–Chinatown Metro (7th Street entrance). This year, we’re featured in the Made in DC booth among 20 resident-owned, DC-based local businesses. Model is the great @kayemjay6 Shot by a78759

This Saturday we’ll be at The Chocolate City Experience! We have a few of our chocolate city shirts left, pull out and grab them before they go! Event details: @chocolatecityexperience in collaboration with H Street Mainstreet @hstnedc invites you to a cultural offering and homage to what community feels like! ▪️Date: Sat. August 9th ▪️4PM-5PM D.C. Home Rule Workshop Lead by @freedcproject ▪️We Party 🪩 6PM-10PM ▪️Address: The Old Autozone 1207 H St NE Washington, D.C. 20002 From the elegance of classic cars to the poetry of double dutch, roller skating, skateboarding, art projections, vendors + more this curated experience invites community into a living gallery of joy, resistance and rhythm. The Hst x Chocolate City Experience: Wheels Up Edition honors the richness of our past, present, and future. Featured Collaborators: 💳H Street Mainstreet Businesses 🛼Roller-Skating Lead by: @thelinkupdc 🛹Skateboarding by: @4rlapp ✨Double Dutch: @dcretrojumpers 📸Throwback Photo-Booth: Mr. G @mrgnit 🎤DJ’s: @rweontheair & @djprodigy2.o 🍉Fruits & Herbs: @earth2melonnation 🍫The Pack @thepack.world 💿Classic Cars presented by: @sirjoejackjames ✊🏾✊🏽✊🏼D.C. Home Rule Workshop 4PM-5PM by: @freedcproject + More This event is FREE however we strongly encourage you all to RSVP using the Eventbrite link in my bio!!! See you there, don’t forget your WHEELS!

Before Juneteenth became a national holiday, the Anacostia Community Museum in Southeast was already honoring the legacy of freedom with curated celebrations throughout the 1990s. From West African dance to go-go music and community quilting, these events brought generations together to reclaim history, celebrate culture, and educate the public. Chocolate City has always been on the forefront on Black culture. Juneteenth may have begun in Texas, but Black communities across the U.S. have long made it their own, keying in on celebrating resistance, joy, and the long fight for liberation. These gatherings are more than festivals, but rather acts of remembrance and resistance. : 1991 & 1993 Anacostia Juneteenth festivals #Juneteenth #BlackHistory #AnacostiaMuseum #Smithsonian #DCEvents #FreedomDay #BlackJoy #BlackCulture #AfricanAmericanHistory #GoGoMusic #QuiltingTradition #Storytelling #BlackExcellence #HistoryMatters #CulturalHeritage #CommunityPower #BlackLiberation #DCBlackHistory #KnowYourHistory #BlackVoices #WeAreTheCulture #MuseumsMatter #JuneteenthCelebration #CelebrateFreedom #DiasporaVoices #NationalMuseumDay #BlackAmericanCulture

We’re joining our friends @thepeoplesmarketdmv this Sunday June 1st @shanklinhall for People’s Market Sundays! We’ll have chocolate city tees in white, gold, and brown available, as well as hats and items from our thrift store. See you there!

Happy #dcnativesday to everyone who makes Chocolate City what it is today. Swipe and repost to share how gentrification has affected Black residents over the years. This year, DC Natives Day serves as a clear and quiet reminder of the resilience and strength Black Washingtonians HAVE to have in the face of systemic neglect and gentrification. This is a call of action and understanding, as you and yours turn inward and cultivate a “culture of recovery.” While the government continues to fall short in addressing the deepening inequities that disproportionately affect Black residents, including health disparities, housing displacement, and educational inequities, the community is leaning on mutual aid and collective care to survive and thrive. This year, the focus is on healing through solidarity, with grassroots organizations, local activists, and long-time residents coming together to provide the resources, support, and advocacy that the city’s leaders have failed to deliver. DC Natives Day is not only a celebration of cultural pride but a powerful declaration of the self-sufficiency and perseverance of Black Washingtonians who, despite the ongoing struggles, continue to hold space for one another and foster a sense of community in an ever-changing city. “D.C. Natives Day was officially recognized by the D.C. council in 2019 after @mrtonylewisjr and @thespicesuite organized a photo shoot for D.C. natives on May 20, 2018, as a way to counter an ad campaign that ran on the Instagram account of the Washingtonian. The publication featured photos of young people wearing T-shirts that read “I’m Not a Tourist. I Live Here,” but not one showed a black person. It later took down the photos, and its president issued an apology, saying the campaign “did not represent the wonderfully diverse city in which we live.”” - The Washington Post. The rest is history.

In 2025, the power of the Black dollar is more important than ever in our community. Times are hard. Attacks from an unstable Presidential administration on an autonomous District have destabilized a Black economy that relies heavily on local and federal government jobs. In these moments, self-determination isn’t just a principle - it’s a necessary strategy to our survival. Buying Black and circulating your dollar in your community, pooling resources through mutual aid networks, supporting and utilizing community gardens, urban farms, and food co-ops are all steps towards insulating our community. Revisit our 2021 Power of the Black Dollar collection to learn why we emphasize cooperative economics. Photos of Black Dollar magazine are sourced from Mary’s McQuirter’s dc1968project. Photographs by @eli_1223 and @nayion202 Models: @tyhobsonpowelldc @tribecalledfulani @hanajavelle Words: @districtofkluse / @nayion202

Chocolate City yard signs across the city. Where should we leave some signs next? 📸: @eli_1223

If you ran the district, what’s the first thing you would do? Let us know 👇🏾 Animation: @the.k.in.cmyk Voiceover: @districtofkluse Direction: @nayion202

Happy Birthday to DC’s Mayor for Life Marion Barry. Repost to inform your followers about Barry’s decades long service that transformed Chocolate City. Many of the foundational programs he implemented during his tenure are still in place today. Swipe through to learn a little about the mayors large impact on DC. Marion Barry moved to Washington, D.C., just shy of turning 30. He never left. D.C. became his home. The Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) Chapter he moved to the city to create, quickly transformed into the Free D.C. Movement, “a political crusade to fully enfranchise Washingtonians, through grassroots organizing and by pressuring the Federal government to address the political, social, and economic ills that plagued the nation’s capital for nearly a century” - Selah Shalom Johnson The struggles Washington, D.C. faces today, especially in light of a Trump administration hellbent on turning back the clock on every ounce of progress ancestors like Marion Barry secured, are the same struggles that motivated the Free D.C. Movement in the 1960s and 1970s. The movement’s demand for political power, voting rights, and self-governance in D.C. set the stage for ongoing debates about the city’s political status, autonomy, and representation. Barry’s legacy shows that the struggle for autonomy in Washington, D.C. is not just about political representation; it is about racial justice, economic fairness, and empowering Washington D.C.’s residents to make decisions that directly affect their lives. The fight for autonomy today is still deeply tied to those broader issues, reflecting the same goals that birthed the Free D.C. Movement: full equality, justice, and control over the city’s future. Design: @nayion202 Words: @districtofkluse @nayion202 Video clips are from the US National Archives and Fox5 DC

Chocolate City 🍫 @fourthquarterkid for @thepack.world Hit the link in our bio to get your gold hats and tees! 📸: @nayion202

The Future is Black 🔴⚫️🟢 DC Flag Snapbacks are available online! Hit the link in our bio to cop yours! 📸: @nayion202 Model: @montstrosity

Chocolate City D.C. White tees are available online! Click the link in our bio. @fourthquarterkid for @thepack.world 📸: @nayion202

Excited to vend at @blackxtheblock this Sunday, October 20th! We’re bringing PACKWEAR tees, hats, bags and more! We’ll also be bringing some of our thrift rack items from our in office thrift store! Check out @blackxtheblock for event details, and see you there!

We’re on the Soufside this year for Art All Night! 📍Friday night meet is at the @anacostiaarts ! 📍Saturday pull up on us with or good friend @kayemjay6 at @chacc_dc We’re bring hats, bags, tees, buttons, and more! See you there

Joining some of our friends this Friday for H Street Festival eve! Bringing hats, tees, bags and more! Pull up for the pop-up, stay for the party, details below 👇🏾 H STREET EVE ‘24 Hosted by @rockharper Friday, September 20th || 5pm - 1am @Hillprincebar 1337 H Street NE,D of C Pop-Up Shop 5–11pm Featuring: @chris_cardi @innerflydom @onustees @thepack.world Party 9pm–1am Sounds by @friendsonmars_ Rsvp + Event details LINK in @chris_cardi BIO

Special shoutout to the @washingtonspirit for including us in their small business market, and giving us a chance to introduce @magicjohnson to @thepack.world Magic told us keep going!

Meet us tomorrow, Sunday September 15th for @_soulvibessunday at @thewell.34 from 2pm to 7pm! We’re bringing tees, button packs, hats, tote bags and more! See you there!

Appreciate the @washingtonspirit inviting us back to their small business marketplace this Saturday outside of @audifield from 11am to 1:30pm Pull up on us Saturday September 7th to grab t-shirts, hats, and more!

Thank you to everyone who came out to The Pack Party 6: The Last Dance! Y’all made this the most attended Pack Party ever! See a friend, tag a friend! Here are some of ya’ll booth photos and videos from the party while we get some recap content ready! Was truly amazing seeing the DC community come out and party together. Special shout-out to our DJ’s @eboni and @saylessking . Make sure you give them a follow and check out their work! Also shoutout to @tobbandandshow for working with us in the rain to keep the party going.

The Pack Party 6: The Last Dance is this SATURDAY! All remaining entry can be purchased at the door. If you bought a pre-sale ticket, all you need is the name on your order or confirmation email to check in. Physical passes will be given out upon entry. Shoot us a message if you have any questions! See ya’ll Saturday!

Pre-Sale tickets close @ MIDNIGHT After today all entry for The Pack Party 6 must be paid at the door. Each pre-sale ticket comes with a complimentary drink and guarantees entry. We’ll have stickers, metro passes, PACKWEAR merch and more on site for the event. If you have any questions, shoot us a comment or DM! Artwork by @the.k.in.cmyk

The Pack Party 6: The Last Dance is this Saturday August 10th. Our two marquee DJ’s @eboni and @saylessking curated a special playlist to preview what to expect from them during their upcoming set times! Tickets are in @thepack.world’s bio until Thursday, see you there! Playlist link is also in our bio!

We are 5 days away from The Pack Party 6: The Last Dance! Pre-sale tickets are live in our bio! Thursday August 8th will be the last day to purchase. After that, remaining entry can be purchased at the door. DJ Sets by @eboni and @saylessking Live performance by @tobbandandshow Animation by @the.k.in.cmyk

Meet our vendors for The Pack Party 6: The Last Dance💃🏾 This year we have 15 locally based vendors participating! Pre-Sale tickets are on sale now! Can’t wait to see yall there!

In D.C. we don’t say goodbye. We say, be safe. Our new PACKWEAR commercial starring @rizzlehaus shot on #super8film by @nayion202 Hit the link in our bio to cop your be safe apparel Song: Fat Trel x Finally Famous Intro

Behind the Artwork This year’s pack party art was created through collaboration with @the.k.in.cmyk and @nayion202 , completing a trilogy series that includes artwork for The Pack Party 4 and 5. The sketches and paintings above are directly from the desk of @the.k.in.cmyk . The artwork uses photos from previous party’s as a reference point. The Last Dance is the theme of this year’s event, referencing the 6th installment of The Pack Party series before retirement, as well as questioning when audiences took their last dance at a GoGo event. This year’s flyer places Johnson’s work within a vintage GoGo poster design, emphasizing TOB’s presence at this year’s party. Slides 7 and 8 are drafts from an art direction that ultimately wasn’t chosen, but are still greatly appreciated! Boxes containing items from the previous party can be seen falling from the back of the truck or being packed inside before the vehicle ultimately moves on. What else do you notice?

Pre Sale passes for The Pack Party 6: The Last Dance are live! Each pre-sale pass comes with a complimentary drink and one of our four passes seen above! Click the link in our bio to cop your ticket. See you there!

Happy to announce that we are officially apart of @broccolicity ’s vendor marketplace, curated by @black.and.forth We will have exclusive chocolate city shirts, hats, bags, and a few surprises for this year’s Pack Party! If you’re at the festival, stop by our booth and say hi 👋🏾

We’re back! The Pack Party 6: The Last Dance Saturday August 10th 10pm to 2:30am $20 entry (ladies free before 11pm) Tickets can be purchased at the door, pre-sale will launch next week Featuring a live performance from TOB (@tobbandandshow ) from 11:30pm to 1am. DJ Sets: @eboni 10pm to 11:30pm @saylessking 1am to 2:30am Vendors: Eyewear Enthusiast (@Eyewear_Enthusiast) The Brookland Smokeshop (@thebrooklandss) Beauty’s Bakery (@Beautys.bakery) Ten Toes (@1tentoesllc) Status Apparel DC (@StatusApparelDC) Sun Up Village (@sunupvillage) Oranges Global (@orangesglobal) Crochet Kingpin (@crochetkingpin) Renaissance Hoodrat (@Renaissancehoodrat) Sleek Customs (@sleek_customs) Chris Cardi Inc. (@Chris_Cardi) Premium Candy Flavors (@1coach.tee_candyclub Evrgreenestudios (@evrgreenestudios_)

New PACKWEAR items are online now! Click the link in our bio to grab your favorite item from our latest release. Items are while supplies last! DM us or comment if you have any questions!

New PACKWEAR items are online now! Click the link in our bio

📍We are live at Union Market!

📍Stop 1: Eastern Market. At the corner of 7th and Pennsylvania

Today we’re live! 4 stops across D.C. with new PACKWEAR items available. Make sure you check our page for real time updates about our location. See yall later!

Meet us tomorrow at one of our truck stops! New chocolate city shirts will be available in Chocolate and Peanut Butter Brown! Models: @devinityy_ @carlisimoneee

DC Flag Hats will be available Saturday in two colorways: green brim or black brim. Each hat come with buttons inside our flag boxes! See you Saturday! Model: @montstrosity 📸: @nayion202

Chocolate City Truck Stops for Saturday July 6th 2024. All new PACKWEAR items will be for sale, including new chocolate city tees, be safe hats and tees, and more! Make sure you are following as we will post updates Saturday in real time.

Be Safe hats and tees will be available this weekend. What new PACKWEAR items are you planning to cop? 📸: @districtofkluse @nayion202 Model: @rizzlehaus

D.C. in 1989 vs 2023 In 2023, D.C experienced some of its highest murder rates in decades, reminding many of its murder capital days of the late 80’s and 90. There are many parallels between now and then. News coverage plays a huge factor in what crimes we care about and prioritize. In the murder capital days, crime was the status quo in majority black neighborhoods, and rare in white neighborhoods. Today, the issue has bled into all wards, influencing how the city has responded. While gentrification has ushered in shiny new development to the city, it has not addressed the city’s systemic issues that lead to violence among our youth. In both decades more police officers were seen as the go to solution to stop violence. In the 80’s and 90’s many of the tough on crime policies landed hundreds in jail, breaking up families of the budding generation of Washingtonians. This history is why many grew up in Washington urging their peers to “be safe” As violence trends again, we have to wonder if history will repeat itself.

In D.C we don’t say goodbye. We say be safe. Be safe tees are back along side new corduroy hats! Revealing new items every day this week, make sure you’re following us for final release details 📸: @nayion202 @districtofkluse Model: @rizzlehaus

Chocolate city t-shirts will also be available in our chocolate brown colorway this Saturday 🍫🍫… Make sure you’re following us this week for release details! 📸: @districtofkluse @nayion202 Model: @devinityy_

In the 2000’s, Washington D.C. experienced the highest concentration of gentrification within the United States. As a formerly majority Black city, Black residents bore the brunt of these changes. But through it all, the culture of chocolate city persists. Our latest collection will be available this weekend! Make sure you are following us to get full release details

New chocolate city 🍫 t-shirts are here! Our peanut butter colorway will be available Saturday July 6. Pop-up details will be released this week so make sure you’re following us! 📸: @nayion202 @districtofkluse Model: @carlisimoneee

Calling all brands! Vendor forms are now open for The Pack Party 6! Click the link in our bio to enter your submission! DM us if you have any questions This year’s event will feature a live entertainment act for the first time ever. Swipe to see highlights from our previous pack parties! Photography 📸: @eli_1223 Video 🎥: @carmenjcarroll

Happy #dcnativesday to everyone who makes Chocolate City what it is today. Swipe and repost to share how gentrification has affected Black residents over the years. Our mission has always been telling the stories of Chocolate City in a culturally accurate and honest way. Today we celebrate DC natives and the resiliency of this city, which despite decades of displacement and gentrification, is still one of the greatest examples this country has of how a black city can influence the world. From music, food, art, and much more, there is no place like the city. “D.C. Natives Day was officially recognized by the D.C. council in 2019 after @mrtonylewisjr and @thespicesuite organized a photo shoot for D.C. natives on May 20, 2018, as a way to counter an ad campaign that ran on the Instagram account of the Washingtonian. The publication featured photos of young people wearing T-shirts that read “I’m Not a Tourist. I Live Here,” but not one showed a black person. It later took down the photos, and its president issued an apology, saying the campaign “did not represent the wonderfully diverse city in which we live.”” - The Washington Post. The rest is history.

We have a few more of our 5th anniversary t-shirts available in a size small. Click the link in our bio to grab them! Our next collection is coming soon 📸: @aniggawithacamera Model: @tribecalledfulani

Happy Birthday to DC’s Mayor for Life Marion Barry. Repost to inform your followers about Barry’s decades long service that transformed Chocolate City. Many of the foundational programs he implemented during his tenure are still in place today. Swipe through to learn a little about the mayors large impact on DC. Words: @districtofkluse @nayion202 Design: @nayion202

PINK suits and the rest of our store is 20% off until midnight! Enter the code: PACKWINTER23 at checkout!

Chocolate City Tees available online for our holiday sale. Enter the code: PACKWINTER23 for 20% off your order! Click the link in our bio 📸: @nayion202 Model: @muvaaras

The rare times we grabbed photos from vending over the years. If you have an event in 2024 you would like @thepack.world to participate in, let us know! We love the chance to meet new people and talk directly within our communities about the topics we cover. Slide 1: 2023 in Southeast DC, 📸 @sunnibshoots Slide 2: 2021 Northwest DC Slide 3: 2019 in Northeast DC

Throwback to 2019 with our “Take a Stand” concept. This design honors Mayor Marion Barry’s inaugural mayoral campaign slogan, which emphasizes the importance of civil engagement among residents. Shot by @eli_1223

Ski Mask season is here in the city. Cop your be safe ski mask today by clicking the link in our bio.

Be Safe embroidered champion shorts are available online NOW! Hit the link in our bio. Model: @saylessking 🎥: @nayion202 on #super8 #super8film

Celebrate 5 years of The Pack World with our 5th anniversary Chocolate City tees! Hit the link in our bio to grab yours 📸: @nayion202 Model: @tribecalledfulani

Tote Bags are available online now! Hit the link in our bio #super8 #super8film Model: @emerald.holman 🎥: @nayion202

Some highlights from The Pack Party 5! See a friend, tag a friend! 🎥: @carmenjcarroll 📸: @eli_1223

In D.C. we don’t say goodbye, we say be safe. Be Safe champion shorts are available online now! 📸: @nayion202 Model: @saylessking

The Pack Party 5 recap by @24fpsecondhand . See a friend, tag a friend. Thank you to everyone who came out for our 5th Pack Party! Turnout was amazing. We’ll have more recap photos/videos to share over the coming weeks. In the meantime click the link in our bio to grab some PackWear merch!

5th anniversary t-shirts are now available online! Hit the link in our bio to grab yours!

Tonight during The Pack Party 5 we’ll have our 5th anniversary pop-up! Remaining entry can be paid at the door! Be safe shorts, chocolate city tee, tote bags and hats will be available! We will also have leftover items from our store available as well! The Pack Party 5 from 10pm to 2:30am

Section giveaway winner is @muvaaras 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

5 year anniversary tees will be available Saturday @ 2am during The Pack Party 5! Remaining tickets can be purchased at the door 📸: @aniggawithacamera Model: @tribecalledfulani Layout: @nayion202

Remaining tickets can be bought at the door Reshare this post or our party flyer and tag us in your story for a chance to win a section at The Pack Party! Pre-Sale comes with a complimentary drink! (While supplies last) Remaining entry can be purchased at the door.

5th anniversary merch will be available this Saturday at The Pack Party 5! Remaining tickets can be bought at the door Model: The Pack Party 5 host @tribecalledfulani This week marks 5 officials years since our very first clothing release. To celebrate, at 2AM Saturday we will hold an official pop-up during the Pack Party 5, off of the chocolate City truck! See you there. 📸: @nayion202

Casamigos Bottle giveaway winner 🎉@hailgeneva 🎉

We answered all the questions you submitted last week about The Pack Party 5! SWIPE through for your answers Featuring: @districtofkluse 🎥: @nayion202 Slide 1: intro Slide 2: why should I buy pre-sale? Slide 3: how do I secure a section? Slide 4: Da hoes gone be there? Slide 5: how many hours will I stand? Slide 6: Is there an arcade? Slide 7: Will there be popsicles again? Slide 8: Will there be strippers, if not why? Slide 9: can I bring my side joint? Will there be a gogo hour? What’s the food situation? Slide 10: What questions didn’t we answer?

Some highlights from last year’s Pack Party! We are one week away from The Pack Party 5! Remaining entry can be bought at the door! Check our last post to enter our giveaway! 🎥: @carmenjcarroll

Entry can be paid at the door! The Pack Party 5! August 19th from 10pm to 2:30am Gogo hour (12:30am to 1:30am), games, food, photos and more! Hosted by: @tribecalledfulani 11 Local Vendors: @eyewear_enthusiast @beautys.bakery @diditallalone @statusappareldc @bossed___up @thebrooklandss @photosbyroux @za.coin_candyshop @sunupvillage @1tentoesllc @maatsunz

Pre-Sale for the Pack Party 5 is now live! Pre-sale tickets come with a complimentary gift from us (while supplies last). Pay now and check in at the door! Physical DC One cards will be passed out upon entry in the two design options shown, paying homage to DC legends Regina Hall and Taraji P. Henson.

All new tote bags are available online now @thepack.world ! New bags come in two design options: The Future Is Black and Chocolate City Model: @emerald.holman 📸: @nayion202

Friday PackWorld update: Tote Bags are available online now in two design options: Chocolate City and The Future is Black Saturday: we will be vending at @ecking___ton.hall with bags on hand, hats, buttons, shirts, and more! August 19th is The Pack Party 5! Presale will be going up soon!

We’re back! The Pack Party 5. Saturday August 19th 10pm to 2:30am Featuring Food, Games, Arcade, 10 Black Owned Vendors, Drinks and more DJ’s Sets : @mellowdomingo 10:30pm to 12:30am @saylessking Gogo hour: 12:30am to 1:30am Hosted by: @tribecalledfulani Vendors: @eyewear_enthusiast @beautys.bakery @diditallalone @statusappareldc @bossed___up @thebrooklandss @photosbyroux @za.coin_consulting @sunupvillage @1tentoesllc Artwork and Flyer design by: @the.k.in.cmyk and @nayion202

Our pledge to cooperative economics, narrated by @tyhobsonpowelldc PackWear items are available online, click the link in our bio to visit the store. When we released our Power of the Black Dollar collection, a pledge was included within each package to share the importance of continued financial support within communities, particularly Black communities.

Happy #dcnativesday ! Our mission has always been telling the stories of Chocolate City in culturally accurate and honest ways. Today we celebrate DC Natives, a culturally unique and resilient group, while also recognizing those who are no longer here with us in the city due to violence or displacement. SWIPE through to read about how gentrification has effected black residents over the years Click the link in our bio to grab your pack world gear: hats, tees, hoodies, buttons, sweat suits and more are available! DM or comment is you have any questions for us!

Spring time in DC 🌸 Link in our bio for pink suits!

Some shots from The Pack Party 4 last summer. See a friend tag a friend! Who should we book for The Pack Party 5 this summer? Photos 📸: @bennyg.photography Videos 🎥: @carmenjcarroll

🔴⚫️🟢 The DC Flag > One flag tshirt left in stock sz medium Keep DC Black truckers available Model: @a78759 📸: @bennyg.photography

Be Safe vintage snapbacks are available online! Inspired by the history of the Washington Bullets, and the colorways of the Wizards and Capitals in the early 2000’s Click the link in our bio to cop your be safe hat!