James Whitner

James Whitner is the founder of The Whitaker Group, a retail and cultural collective that operates streetwear brands such as A Ma Maniére, Social Status, APB and Prosper. 

A graduate in Business Administration from Edinboro University (2003), Whitner began his career in real estate before launching his first boutique, Flava Factory, in Charlotte in 2005. In 2014, he formalised his vision by founding The Whitaker Group, which now includes retail concepts, boutique hotels, restaurants and community education initiatives. His work is rooted in elevating Black ownership, narrative, and creativity within spaces historically defined by exclusivity.

Whitner is recognised for his high-impact collaborations with Jordan Brand — including a tie-up between Air Jordan 1 and A Ma Maniére. Beyond fashion, initiatives like Free Game offer mentorship and workshops in voter rights, financial literacy and mental health.

A passionate art collector and curator, Whitner integrates work by emerging Black and Brown artists into his retail and hospitality spaces and is currently planning a gallery in Pittsburgh to unite art, retail and social dialogue. Whitner has driven more than $51 million in investments into Black neighbourhoods, using retail as a platform for long-term social change.