James Whitner: A Mover and Mogul in the Black Community
via hypebeast.com
As we close out Black History Month, it's important to recognize the contributions of black movers and shakers in the community every day.
One such individual is James Whitner, founder of The Whitaker Group. This retail conglomerate includes A Ma Maniére, Social Status, and APB, and operates 17 shops across 13 cities.
via complex.com
His boutique, A Ma Maniére includes a hotel or “Living” concept space in Washington D.C, which features premium residential suites above the retail space.
Whitner and his crew have also collaborated with NIKE on several projects including the Nike Air Force 1 A-Ma Maniére “Hand Wash Cold” that was inspired by James Whitner’s ethos behind A Ma Maniére - to treat the things you care about with unwavering respect. The shoe is a design that combines the experiences that Whitner promotes as being ‘balanced in the silhouette’s democratic base’.
Whitner not only made waves in the retail industry but, he is also dedicated to empowering the black community. Whitner created the non-profit Whitaker Project, which is about uplifting the black community and giving them the resources they need to be successful. The project provides scholarships to black students, as well as mentorship and internship opportunities.
Whitner’s efforts to make a difference are seen through his initiatives and he is never afraid to voice his opinion in regards to the lack of diversity and inclusion.
James Whitner said in an interview with Highnobiety, "Within corporate America, we need unconscious bias training led by representatives from minority groups. We need pro-diversity hiring practices and programs, including hiring panels that include minorities. We need diverse representation in meeting rooms when evaluating existing employee talent in large and small organizations.
Finally, our biggest industries need to hold executives, leaders, and managers accountable for effecting change. As black people, we can’t escape the color of our skin, so my hope is that white people keep this in mind. The world will never see full equality. I’m too realistic to believe evil will cease to exist, but we can hold ourselves accountable and show a willingness to level the playing field with actionable plans that create the future leaders of our industry and support existing black entrepreneurs and businesses."
All in all, James Whitner is a powerful black man who uses his platform and resources to empower other black people. We should all support him and his efforts to make the world a better place for everyone, regardless of race.
Thank you, James Whitner, for everything you do!
“We need diverse representation in meeting rooms when evaluating existing employee talent in large and small organizations.”
- James Whitner
via Nike News - A Ma Maniére Does the AF1 its Way