Jovan Davis; better known as just Von is more than the face behind his brand Love More.
Von recalls growing up the Washington Highlands with “gun violence all around him.” In his bio, he writes he “couldn’t go anywhere without a firearm on me or thinking someone was trying to do something to me.” He is heavily involved in his home community that he once feared working with the Department Of Youth Rehabilitation to mentor youths and brainstorm solutions to problems that plague the streets with these same youths that in the past have been involved. Out of Von's humanitarian work spawned another idea. He saw hate overpowering love and ask himself and those around him "how can we make love cool again".
One of the looming questions and challenges became teaching youth to truly understand what they need. Von said in the article by the Washington Post; “Most of them don’t really know what they need. You talk to them and you find out, ‘I do need my phone bills paid.’ ‘I do need housing. I do need food. I do need a job.’ ”
Von brainstormed with his mentees with an important question in mind. How can Love be made cool again? The idea; communicating through clothes. Von began teaching how to create a brand and his owned brand Love More was spawned through this. Love More began by making hats in 2015 to show that love can win and empower people to be better. His brand is about bringing people together and redefining what is cool.
From there the DC area started requesting more so in 2017 Von started selling shirts. The Urban Summit brought together by Shoe City and YCMC.com in 2021 gave him the opportunity to go national. A small starter from Southeast DC to hang next to brands like Nike. The Summit gave Von insight to the buying process and moved him forward to spread love all across the nation.
Von's Love More tees are now available in Local DMV Shoe City Stores and at YCMC.com.
