The Whitaker Group x New Balance 1906U “Willful Bias”

The Whitaker Group and New Balance are back with a new collaborative project, the 1906U “Willful Bias,” dropping in two colorways.

The “Willful Bias” project continues the story that TWG and New Balance started with the 9060 “Missing Pieces” pack in 2023. With these projects, TWG and New Balance emphasize the importance of giving young creatives and entrepreneurs the space and resources to cultivate their craft.

This is highlighted in the “Building Better, Together” campaign, starring the two aspiring podcasters that we were introduced to in last year’s “Missing Pieces” campaign. The girls are expanding their podcast studio, but in finding space, they choose to make space – for other creatives and the community, making their purpose bigger.

A collective is formed, coming alive at the site of TWG’s latest project – The Collective on Tuckaseegee in Charlotte, NC. The complex featuring a skatepark and home to the latest APB Charlotte location forms the backdrop of a hub of opportunity and creativity which the group takes full advantage of, inviting the world along to enjoy.

The campaign also provides a look at both colorways of the “Willful Bias” 1906U: “Electric Teal” and “Sand Dune.” Both pairs feature synthetic and reflective material details, with Gulf Red and Olivine detailing on the Electric Teal pair, and Washed Amber and Team Red accents on the Sand Dune pair.

Special features include “Willful Bias – For Community” messaging on the inside of the tongue tags and “WB” branding on the tongues. Like the 9060s, these also come with insoles that depict Lady Justice peeking from underneath her blindfold. The image of Lady Justice is blindfolded because justice should be unbiased and not be based on a person’s appearance. However, this is not the case, as we’ve seen time and time again, the judicial system has a “willful bias” against people of color.

Alongside the release will be a series of activations at beSocial Charlotte, spotlighting the various creatives featured in the campaign and their craft while providing educational insights. Registration for all workshops, activations, and events is now open here.

Raffle registration for The Whitaker Group x New Balance 1906U “Willful Bias” pack is now open via Social Status, APB, Prosper, and A Ma Maniére. The official launch is July 19th at 11am ET, available both online and in-store at each TWG retailer. Check out both colorways below.

The Whitaker Group x New Balance 1906U “Electric Teal”
Color: Steel/Electric Teal
Style Code: M1906NK1
Release Date: July 19, 2024
Price: $170 USD

The Whitaker Group x New Balance 1906U “Sand Dune”
Color: Sand Dune/Shadow Grey
Style Code: M1906NG1
Release Date: July 19, 2024
Price: $170 USD