Jordan Brand’s Wings program is one of the most endearing and forthright initiatives in sneaker culture. It is single-handedly sending underprivileged kids to college, providing them with opportunities that will not only shift the course of their existence but very likely that of their family and community.
During NBA All-Star Weekend in Charlotte, the program extended its reach further by presenting six high school athletes with college scholarships during the Own The Game Invitational. The game highlighted some of the most talented high school teams in the nation.
In addition to gifting scholarships to amateur student athletes, Jordan Brand also presented James Whitner, founder of Carolina-based Social Status, with the very first pair of the Air Jordan 4 “Wings”.
Based on impactful efforts in his community which orbit a similar premise as the Wings foundation, Whitner was given this previously unseen sneaker that mimics the “Motorsport Away” in lieu of Wings branding at the tongue and splattered midsole and heel detailing. There are more subtle changes, too, all of which provide distinction to this special edition Air Jordan 4.
The shoe is said to only be presented to a very select few, those of whom carry the Wings message in their community and social activism. Whitner, a bearer of that message, is among the first.
Learn more about the Wings scholarship here.
