‘Raised By Women’ Retro Air Jordan Shoe Drop Is A Tribute To Black Mothers, Activism, Devotion

April 13th, 2021

The Air Jordan 3 “Raised by Women” drop by A Ma Maniere owner James Whitner is a tribute to his mother.

Mark Nabeta / SocialStatus

The Air Jordan 3 “Raised by Women” is one of the most-anticipated sneaker releases of 2021.

It’s also tied to a local boutique location in Atlanta, A Ma Maniere, which is owned by entrepreneur and civil rights activist James Whitner.

James Whitner, who was a guest on WABE's "All Things Considered,” said the shoe drop is also a tribute to Black women across America. (Mark Nabeta) — James Whitner, who was a guest on WABE’s “All Things Considered,” said the shoe drop is also a tribute to Black women across America. (Mark Nabeta)

A passionate advocate for Black business owners, Whitner told WABE’s “All Things Considered” host Jim Burress that the shoe drop is also a love letter to his mom.

But for Whitner, it’s also a tribute to Black women across America — an expression of thanks for their tireless and thankless devotion.

Whitner said that it’s the first Air Jordan engraved with his shop’s name, and he told Complex that the inspiration came from the first Jordan sneakers that his mother bought him growing up.

Lily Oppenheimer contributed to this report.