Can’t Colonize the Vibe — Apparel Brand

Founder & Creative Director
2016–present (revived 2024) 


I created Can’t Colonize the Vibe as an apparel brand centered on a phrase that quickly gained traction among supporters. The goal was to sell clothes while also building a shared identity through community participation. To drive participation, each package included a card that read: “Tag us on Instagram.” This prompt generated a steady flow of supporter photos, organized into a living archive and amplified through captions and reposts. The result was a cycle where visibility encouraged participation and supporter contributions reinforced the brand’s cultural relevance, positioning CCTV as a model for community-driven branding.

Core Themes:

  • User-generated content as a brand engine

  • Community-driven storytelling

  • Organic archive building

  • Apparel as cultural identity

Scope of Work:

  • Brand strategy and positioning

  • Creative direction and design

  • Vendor and production management
    Press, communications, and content systems

  • Project management and timelines

Approach & Execution

  • Created the brand identity and developed the defining phrase

  • Designed and distributed a call-to-action card with every package to encourage community participation

  • Built a repost framework that treated supporter images as part of the official brand archive

  • Wrote captions that mirrored supporter voices, reinforcing community identity

  • Managed vendor relationships and oversaw production while art-directing editorial shoots

Outcomes / Proof:

  • Featured in Essence and Vice Magazine; highlighted by Netflix’s @strongblacklead
    Juneteenth list

  • Worn and endorsed by musicians, actors, and cultural influencers

  • Collected 1,000+ pieces of supporter-generated content — images, videos, and reels that built a living archive and sustained brand relevance

Case Studies

  • CASE STUDY 01.
    CCTV — Apparel Brand

    Built an apparel line into a cultural statement by turning customer photos into a living archive. Strategy, design, and community storytelling positioned CCTV as a model for community-driven branding.

  • CASE STUDY 02.
    CCTV — Editorial Platform

    Weekly editorial features that highlight artist strategies while amplifying voices in Philadelphia’s music scene. Paired with designed carousels and collaboration posts to expand reach.

  • CASE STUDY 03.
    FIRE — Creative Manager

    Directed design execution within an established national brand. Managed cross-team campaigns, publications, and digital assets with an emphasis on clarity, efficiency, and consistency.

  • CASE STUDY 04.
    Artist Brand Direction

    Developed strategic branding outlines that define identity, values, and story for independent artists. Delivered PDFs combining narrative frameworks, style goals, and positioning strategies.

  • CASE STUDY 05.
    Creative Exploration

    A sandbox of photography, design, and animation experiments. Personal studies that push aesthetics, test new mediums, and expand the visual toolkit I bring to professional projects.