The Whitaker Group Is Opening The First Black-Owned Skate Park In The United States

The Whitaker Group continues to invest in the community by opening the first privately held, Black-owned, publicly accessible non-DIY skatepark in the United States. Located on the West Side of Charlotte, the BOARDR-designed park and retail location will fall under the APB (All Points Bulletin) brand of The Whitaker Group. Both establishments will be part of The Collective on Tuckaseegee, a new 13,000-square-foot compound and retail campus featuring ten unique units.

Like many of James Whtiner’s retail locations, The Collective on Tuckaseegee will serve as a community hub for local businesses, brands, and activations. “Black culture has always been a driving force in shaping global trends,” said The Whitaker Group Founder, James Whitner. “This complex is a crucial step in telling the story of how our culture moves fashion, business, and lifestyle at large. We are excited to be able to provide a space for local businesses and communities to gather and thrive. Through this launch we are also expanding our reach to the skateboarding community to provide a safe space for the local youth to express themselves and also discover the virtues of the sport and its amazing culture.”

The new ABP Charlotte location will also house the brand’s new in-house apparel program, inspired by the skate community. On-site programming will be provided by APB YOU, APBâ€s social impact platform that includes after-school lessons, trick tutorials, and a variety of events tailored for youth, women, and families. The Whitaker Group is celebrating the opening with a range of activities, from Go Skate Day on Thursday, June 21st to a Block Party the following weekend.