Why Trybe?
About the name "Trybe"
Throughout history, Black societies have been deeply rooted in tribes, communities bound by shared culture, traditions, and a sense of belonging.
From the Ashanti and Zulu to the Maasai and Yoruba, tribes have served as the foundation of connection, support, and identity. The name Trybe is inspired by these ancestral roots, reimagined for today’s world as a space where Spokane’s Black community can come together as a modern tribe.
We chose the spelling “Trybe” as a nod to both tradition and progress. It represents the effort ("try") we put into building and strengthening our community while honoring the unity that has always been central to Black culture. Just as Black tribes were built on collaboration and resilience, Trybe is a space for connection, empowerment, and collective growth.
Why trybe matters
Spokane’s Black community is vibrant, diverse, and full of talent, but it has often lacked a centralized place for connection and visibility.
Trybe was created to fill that gap, offering a hub where individuals, businesses, and organizations can connect, share resources, and support one another.
With a community calendar, business directory, and more, Trybe is designed to make sure Black voices, businesses, and events are seen and celebrated. Whether you're looking for a local Black-owned business, a networking opportunity, or a space to share an upcoming event, Trybe is here to bring us together, stronger as one.
Behind the Mask
Trybe is more than a name. It’s a movement. A space where we define our own future, reconnect with our past, and strengthen the bonds that make us unstoppable.
Our logo is more than just a design—it’s a statement of unity, resilience, and reconnection. Inspired by traditional African tribal masks, it reflects the deep cultural roots of our founders and the vision behind Trybe.
Throughout history, African tribes were not only distinct but often pitted against one another—through colonization, slavery, and systems designed to divide us. The Fon people of West Africa, from whom Luc Jasmin III (Trybe Co-founder) descends, and the Gullah Geechee community, from which Jerrall Haynes (Trybe Co-founder) traces his roots, are just two examples of communities shaped by struggle, survival, and resilience.
Had they lived centuries ago, their ancestors may have been forced to see each other as rivals rather than kin. But today, Luc and Jerrall stand side by side, proving that our differences are not divisions—they are strengths. Trybe exists to rewrite that history, to reclaim the unity that was once stripped away, and to forge a new future where Black communities uplift and empower one another.
The mask represents this shift. It is a symbol of breaking old narratives and building something new—where collaboration replaces competition, and where our shared culture and history bring us together rather than keep us apart.
Throughout history, African tribes were not only distinct but often pitted against one another—through colonization, slavery, and systems designed to divide us. The Fon people of West Africa, from whom Luc Jasmin III (Trybe Co-founder) descends, and the Gullah Geechee community, from which Jerrall Haynes (Trybe Co-founder) traces his roots, are just two examples of communities shaped by struggle, survival, and resilience.
Had they lived centuries ago, their ancestors may have been forced to see each other as rivals rather than kin. But today, Luc and Jerrall stand side by side, proving that our differences are not divisions—they are strengths. Trybe exists to rewrite that history, to reclaim the unity that was once stripped away, and to forge a new future where Black communities uplift and empower one another.
The mask represents this shift. It is a symbol of breaking old narratives and building something new—where collaboration replaces competition, and where our shared culture and history bring us together rather than keep us apart.
