In the 1990s, my dad and his friends Tim and Steve launched a company that set out to blend fashion with environmental advocacy. They called it Human-i-Tees. By the time I was born in 2001, the original spark had already faded, and I never had the chance to see it flourish firsthand. What I did inherit, however, were the stories: accounts of the passion, creativity, and risk-taking my dad and his partners poured into their vision.
If the name sounds familiar, it’s because Human-i-Tees was once everywhere. We even had a nickname for when we spotted someone wearing their t-shirt: “Human-i-sightings.” At its height, millions of students across the U.S. sold these shirts to raise money for their clubs, fueling both the message and the movement. The brand became a unifying force as it helped schools, uplifted communities, and raised thousands of dollars for environmental non-profits. More than just a fundraiser, it was a rallying point, a chance for people to feel part of something bigger than themselves.
Even after Human-i-Tees wound down, my dad’s entrepreneurial drive never did. I watched him launch business after business, always chasing a vision, always pushing forward. Luke, my partner in this venture, grew up with a similar backdrop. His dad Tim stood alongside mine in the early days, equally determined to build and create. Both of us were raised in the shadow of that legacy, hearing the stories of what once was and wondering what could be again.
As a kid, I was the one chasing butterflies and bees across my elementary school recess field. In class, I daydreamed about animals. After school, I disappeared into the woods behind my house, searching for critters. That early fascination with the natural world stuck with me: it felt less like a hobby and more like a calling. Years later, it guided me to study Environmental Analysis at Washington University in St. Louis, where I sought to understand the science and policy of sustainability. Today, that knowledge fuels the vision I bring to Human-i-Tees.
Luke studied Entrepreneurship at Babson College, sharpening the business instincts that fuel his drive. Together, we’ve come to the same realization: this time is different. We are not only picking up the legacy of our fathers, but also expanding it: this time, not just with students, but with everyday consumers who want to contribute to something meaningful. We want to empower anyone, anywhere, to wear their values proudly and be part of a community that is fighting for a more sustainable future.
Human-i-Tees isn’t just about shirts. It’s about action. It’s about reminding people that small choices matter, and that awareness can spark accountability. The movement started with students, but today it belongs to all of us. This time, the mission is bigger than fundraising: it’s about protecting the only home we have. Human-i-Tees is our way of showing that caring for our planet isn’t separate from who we are... it’s woven directly into our humanity.
~Landon Highbloom