From Seed to Story: The Cotton Behind The Reclamation

Beyond the Fabric: Inside Seed2Shirt’s BLACKollective© with Co-Founders Deandra Eubanks and Tameka Peoples

At the heart of Act II: The Reclamation, A Ma Maniére’s second chapter of Every Summer Tells a Story, lies a story of reclamation, power, and truth, stitched into the very fabric of the collection. In partnership with Seed2Shirt and their BLACKollective© — the first Black-owned, vertically integrated apparel supply chain in the United States — this collection ties product to purpose, honoring the hands, histories, and work that has long been erased from the cotton narrative.

This is not just a collection. This is a reclamation. Regenerative, sustainable, resilient — words that come alive when you wear something born from the soil, spun through purpose, and sewn with intention. You don’t just wear it. You carry it. You carry the story of regeneration, of community, of cultural pride stitched from Seed2Shirt from the ground up. That’s the power of The Reclamation capsule — with both the laces on the A Ma Maniére x Air Jordan 5 Retro “Black Collective” and the apparel capsule crafted from cotton sourced from Seed2Shirt’s BLACKollective© farmers. This is a movement woven with roots. Because for Seed2Shirt, regeneration isn’t just a buzzword — it’s their way of life. 

To better understand this mission, the origins of the BLACKollective©, and what this partnership represents, we spoke with Deandra Eubanks and Tameka Peoples, Co-Founders of Seed2Shirt. Here, they share their vision for reclaiming Black ownership, the challenges and triumphs of their work, and the deeper meaning woven into every piece of this collaboration.

Q: Can you share the story behind the BLACKollective© — what inspired its creation, and what does it stand for today?

“We’ve always sought to create a Black ecosystem — from the cotton, to the ginning, to the spinning, to the final product.” — Deandra

The BLACKollective© was born to address deep disparities in black participation and ownership within the cotton industry. It grew from a farm enrichment program in 2019 with the goal of creating a self-sustaining ecosystem — one where black farmers could work together, pool resources, and regain power in the market.

Yet building this ecosystem has not been without its challenges. Black cotton farmers in the U.S. make up less than 1% of all farmers and often work much smaller plots compared to their counterparts. As Tameka explained, this means they face systemic barriers that require innovative solutions — including training programs, technical support, microgrants, and collective negotiation.

“We had to create a community so they could lean in, learn from each other, and know we’re in this together.” — Tameka

Q: Why is it important to you to reclaim Black ownership and presence in the cotton industry, and how does your work contribute to that mission?

“There’s not a moment in your life when you wake up that cotton isn’t a part of it.” — Deandra

For both Tameka and Deandra, cotton is more than a commodity — it is a living thread that ties Black communities to their history, their home, and their healing. Their work and legacy through Seed2Shirt is an act of reclamation, transforming a relationship that for centuries was defined by exploitation, forced labor, and erasure into one of pride, ownership, and possibility.

The historical weight of cotton has shaped the transatlantic slave trade, fueled the economic rise of the United States, and confined generations of black families to cycles of sharecropping, poverty, and systemic exclusion. From the brutal plantations of slavery to the discriminatory practices of redlining, the weight of this has been inflicted through cotton reverberates in black communities even today.

By centering black farmers and communities in the cotton supply chain, Seed2Shirt seeks to rewrite that narrative — turning what was once a symbol of oppression into a source of empowerment, dignity, and regeneration.

“This work is us taking care of home. And when we take care of home, we shine and we show up.” — Tameka

Through Seed2Shirt, they aim to instill pride, ownership, and communal care back into the story of cotton,  shifting it from harm to healing. Black Collective is not just a release, it’s a rise. A declaration. A story stitched from the ground up rooted in uplift. 

Q: What does the partnership with A Ma Maniére for The Reclamation mean to you personally?

It just felt like coming home — knowing we have a relationship that values what we bring to each other as a people and a community.” — Deandra

“It was like butter on mashed potatoes — a perfect match.” — Tameka

This collaboration is a bridge between the agricultural and creative worlds, seamlessly linking the material roots of the cotton to its final expressive form in fashion. This partnership is destined, and we are filled with gratitude for the opportunity to stand together and honor the culture through their shared work.

“We really value our relationship with you because you believe in the same values we do — and we hold onto that tight.” — Tameka

Q: What are some of the challenges and triumphs you’ve experienced when reclaiming space in this field?

“The biggest challenge is breaking down historical trauma and building deep trust — especially in an all-white, male-dominated system.” — Deandra

Seed2Shirt and their BLACKollective© have faced resistance at every level, from family members hesitant to join due to generational trauma, to institutional barriers in a system designed to exclude them.

Yet despite the challenges, the triumphs are undeniable: establishing Seed2Shirt as one of the only Black woman-owned, global cotton traders with GOTS certification, creating groundbreaking farm-to-retail programs, forming a global supply chain spanning Africa, the U.S., Vietnam, and Turkey, and building microgrant systems to directly support Black growers.

“Seed2Shirt is one of the only Black woman-owned, global cotton traders with GOTS certification — that’s a triumph we’re proud of.” — Tameka

Q: What do you hope people take away when they see and wear the apparel from this collection — knowing it was crafted with cotton grown by the BLACKollective©?

“We want this to instill pride — and make people ask questions about where their clothes come from and who’s really behind them.” — Tameka

Their hope is that wearers of the collection feel connected to the history and humanity woven into each piece — that they feel pride and curiosity, and begin to question the invisibility of black talent and labor in the apparel industry.

“This is about more than a product — it’s inspiration stitched into every piece.” — Deandra

 

Every lace tells a story. Every stitch makes a stand. This is what it means to show up — with love, with balance, with truth. We aren’t just dressing the future — we’re building it. Regeneration is not a trend. It’s a return to what’s always been ours.

The BLACKollective© reminds us that cotton is more than fabric — it is memory, resilience, and possibility. Through this partnership, Seed2Shirt and A Ma Maniére have brought history full circle, creating pieces that honor the past while shaping a more just and visible future.

This capsule is regenerating not just soil, but spirit. Not just cotton, but community. And they’re doing it with style — like they always have — with fierce intention and cultural pride. This collaboration isn’t a trend — it’s a textile revolution. One that centers the people and places too often left behind and elevates them to the center stage of the global fashion and footwear conversation.

We’re showing what’s possible when collaboration is rooted in respect, when sourcing is an act of solidarity, and when garments become vehicles for style, justice, and joy. Every thread tells a story — of pride, style, and cultural flare that’s been passed down, preserved, and now projected forward.

The A Ma Maniére x Air Jordan 5 Retro “Black Collective” and apparel capsule officially launch on July 25. Available exclusively at A Ma Maniére stores and online at www.a-ma-maniere.com at 11AM EST online and 12PM local time in-store.

Don’t miss your chance to own a piece of this story. This release is not just fashion, it is a declaration of reclamation. So wear it with pride. Wear it with power. Wear it like a revolution.