We’ve received a ton of support for this effort and it has genuinely warmed my heart to see it. In the aftermath of the Okinawa incident, during some of the darkest days of my life, I could not have imagined this outcome. I’m grateful to know that new dreams, friendships, and community were born from that nightmare. I’ve also received a lot of questions about how 4rl fits into all of this - why we use passwords and why parts of the experience feel exclusive. To be clear - everyone is welcome at the block party. I truly hope people from all walks of life pull up. There are aspects of the 4rl experience that we have intentionally gated, but not as a means of exclusion - as a means of protection. What we’ve built is not optimized for attention. 
It’s not designed to maximize content consumption, sell products, or chase engagement. It exists to help people connect in real life, and I intend to protect that vision. We will not make a dime from this experience. Massa, Alyssa, Khadijah and I have poured our personal time, energy, and resources into this because we believe real connection and real community can only exist when intention matters more than returns. We hope this experience inspires people to act on their dreams, keep fighting through difficult moments, and never stop believing in the world they want to create. -Kareem El (founder of 4rl) Don’t be a stranger.
The World Is Yours 🌍

The Agency at National Harbor is proud to introduce the launch of our new monthly exhibition series, where art, culture, finance, and conversation intersect in one curated experience. This month, we welcome internationally recognized artist Massa AquaFlow of Okinawa Island, Japan, for an exclusive private exhibition experience ahead of the unveiling of his large scale mural installation on H Street in Washington, DC this Saturday. “Matcha with Massa” represents more than an event. It is a reflection of global creativity, intentional collaboration, and the power of bringing visionary minds into one room. From wealth building to creative expression, this series was designed to inspire elevated thinking and meaningful connection. Special thanks to Massa AquaFlow, Brandi Bridgett, Aaron Charles, SDB Elite, Creative Kickback, Kareem, 4RL, and Khadijah for helping bring this vision to life. Private Invitation Only. For inquiries and future exhibition access: [email protected] #MatchaWithMassa #TheAgencyNationalHarbor #LuxuryExperiences #ArtMeetsFinance #NationalHarbor

Kicking things off before the block party this Saturday… 🎨 Join us this Thursday, 5/7 for an intimate Artist Talk with @massa.aquaflow , visiting all the way from Okinawa, Japan. A pull-up style convo — no tickets needed, just come through! The mural is already in progress, so you’ll get a real-time look at the work and the story behind it. ⏱️ 5:30–8PM 📍Sulod Cocktail Bar x Kitchen DC 1250 H st NE, 2nd Floor (Above the Hall on H) THEN… 🔻 🎉 Official Block Party and unveiling of the mural on Saturday, 5/9 Hosted by 4RL, Creative Kickback, and H Street Main Street — bringing the city together for a full cultural experience centered around art, community, and connection. 🔗 Link in bio for Saturday tickets

I’m posting this video now on my 2nd morning in DC because I was fearful that I would not get through immigration and customs with what I’m about to say. I will create a big mural in the H street NE corridor thanks to all the support from your community. I’m an artist from Okinawa island in Japan and I draw clouds because using clouds, I was able to express myself in a way that words could not. Clouds (like feelings) come in many shapes and color the way we experience the world. I use a combination of clouds and custom typeface to share how I experience the world in hopes that I can inspire others to ask questions that are difficult to answer in words. My feelings about the world have been heavily influenced by the U.S. and more specifically Black American culture and history. I see many parallels in the struggle of Black people in the U.S. and the struggle of the Okinawan people. When I moved to Okinawa from mainland Japan as a young man I was shocked by the heavy presence of the U.S. military. Even more, I was shocked to see how the PEOPLE of Okinawa are impacted every day. That led me to create the series "Camo & Cloud" in which I transform U.S. military uniforms into canvases. My “Camo and Cloud” art connected me to Kareem El from DC. After Kareem learned that I had made one of my pieces with his uniform, he came to visit my home in Okinawa and we dreamed of one day bringing my art to his home to expand the conversation. After Kareem was assaulted in Okinawa by the U.S. military last year, we felt that conversation needed to happen now. This mural references the Nas lyric “the world is yours” and I'm using this phrase to encourage us all to remember where we stand in the struggle. I believe that together we can make our future bright if we remain conscious and intentional about the world we want to live in. If you see me painting, please stop and say hello. I hope to see you at the block party to celebrate the completion of the mural on Sat May 9th from 5 - 8pm (🔗link in bio). Arigatou! The World is Yours *translated by Kareem El* #muralart #freeDC #okinawa #DontBeAStranger #TheWorldIsYours

Creative Kickback is this week! We'll see y'all Wednesday, 4/29 from 6-10pm @dogdazesocialclub Grab $15 tickets at the link in our bio before prices go up on 4/28 🎥: @cjthephotog

Creative Kickback is NEXT WEEK!! There are still tickets left at the link in our bio. Join us @dogdazesocialclub on Wednesday, 4/29 from 6-10 pm for creative community-building around games and activities. All curated for creative conversation, play, and expression. Food and drinks will be available for purchase all evening. See you at the kickback ✨ ------- -The restaurant/bar and covered patio will be dedicated to Creative Kickback and humans-only. -If you'd like to bring your dog to play outside, garden passes are on sale on the Dog Daze website. 🎥: @cjthephotog

When I was in Japan going through the toughest experience of my life, @massa.aquaflow and the Okinawan community showed up for me. For nearly a decade, the people of Okinawa have welcomed me in, shown love, and taught me that when you move with intention, The World Opens Up 🌍 As a symbol of friendship and appreciation for our community, Massa will visit DC and paint a mural on the outer wall of @sushisatodc alongside local artist @nyooanst , in partnership with @hstnedc . To celebrate the completion of the mural, we’re partnering with @creativekickbackdmv to deliver a block party rooted in connection and creativity 🛋️🎨 We’re also offering a special opportunity for our community to be part of the mural. The first 100 RSVPs will get to add a personal touch to the mural 🫆RSVP in the 4RL app (🔗 in bio) If you’re not a member of 4RL yet, you’ll need a code to join. We only share access with people who move with intention. If that’s you, talk to us in the comments. What does moving with intention mean to you? What should it look like in a community? Thoughtful engagement will get a code. No AI slop bots or lurkers 🙅🏾‍♂️ Pull up. Be outside. Don’t be a stranger 🍀 -Kareem El (founder of 4rl) 🎵 Observer (unreleased instrumental) by Kareemu feat. @riku_thefields._ Prod. @andysalright #dcart #dcevents #okinawa #hstreet #makeofflinegreatagain

Creative Kickback is back on Wednesday, April 29th from 6-10 pm @dogdazesocialclub ! Tickets are on sale at the link in bio 🎟️ We’re taking over the indoor restaurant/bar and covered patio rain or shine (and humans only). Join us for games and activities curated for creative conversation, play, and expression. Alongside space to work on your creative project. If you’d like to bring your dog to play outside, Garden Passes are available for purchase on the Dog Daze website. As always, the kickback is: -A space to be in creative community -A space to create for work or play -A space to come as you are See y’all soon, -Alyssa 💚

📣 Save the date! Creative Kickback is back on April 29th You can grab Early Bird Tickets at the link in our bio

Your Creative Kickback FAQS, answered! 🎟️ There are still $15 tickets for sale before prices go up to $20 on 2/25 at 11:59 PM. Grab yours at the link in our bio! See you at the kickback.

The first Creative Kickback of 2026 is ONE WEEK away! On Friday, February 27th from 7-10 pm, join us @kbirdbar for creative community-building. Grab your tickets at the link in our bio 🎟️ See you at the kickback.