The Folk Nation is an alliance of street gangs based out of the Chicago area which has since branched throughout the United States specifically in the Midwest. They are rivals to the People Nation. Within the Folk Nation alliance there are many gangs which all have their own unique colors, hand signs, and organization. Many of these gangs have signed a charter to join the Folks alliance. It was formed on November 11, 1978 in the Illinois Department of Corrections. Soon afterwards the People Nation was formed to counter the Folks alliance. Larry Hoover the chairman of the Gangster Disciple Nation created the idea for the alliance and persuaded many leaders of large Black, White, and Latino gangs from Chicago to join. After having a prosperous beginning in the late 1970s and throughout the 1980s, the alliance started to break apart in the early 1990s due to wars over money and drugs between fellow Folk gangs.

Gangs demonstrate their particular alignment by "representing" through symbols, colors, graffiti, hand signs, and words. Representing also encompasses the left or right side of the body. Most Folk gangs represent using the six point star, pitchforks, and identify to the right side (e.g., they wear hats or bandannas turned to the right). Folk Nation gangs use the term "all is one" to greet each other. The six pointed Star of David, a Jewish religious symbol in honor of King David, is used by the gang in its graffiti When the leader and founder of the Black Gangster Disciple Nation, David Barksdale was slain, the gang adopted the symbol in his honor.

Folk Nation Alliances
Ambrose
Black Gangsters
Black Disciples
Gangster Two Six
Gangster Disciples
Imperial Gangsters
La Raza
Insane Spanish Cobras
Insane North Side Popes
Latin Eagles
Maniac Latin Disciples
Simon City Royals
Spanish Gangster Disciples