Today we’d like to introduce you to Mekhi Terry.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
When people ask me how I got started, I usually tell them that Human Target wasn’t born from a formulated business plan—it was born from a period of adversity & uncertainty.
Back in 2020, during the height of the pandemic, I found myself in Atlanta, Georgia, facing one of the most difficult chapters of my life. Within a short period of time, I lost both of my jobs, my plans for the future became unclear, and the lifestyle I had worked hard to build was slipping away. Like many people during that time, I was trying to figure out what came next while carrying the weight of disappointment, frustration, and self-doubt.
One of the moments that stuck with me most happened while talking with a close friend about everything I was experiencing. Trying to explain how life felt at that point, I told him that I felt like a “walking target.” That phrase stayed with me. It echoed in my mind for days. As I began sketching ideas in a notebook, that feeling eventually evolved into what would become Human Target. From there, I immersed myself into YouTube to learn the necessary skills & requirements to build a brand.
After countless job applications, difficult conversations, and moments of questioning myself, I made the decision to move to Pittsburgh to live with my family and rebuild from the ground up. It wasn’t the path I envisioned for myself, but looking back, it was exactly where I needed to be.
What started as a way to process my experiences soon became something much bigger. I realized that the challenges I was facing weren’t unique to me. Everyone carries their own battles, setbacks, expectations, and obstacles. Human Target became my way of expressing those shared experiences through streetwear and storytelling.
Since then, I have been building the brand from the ground. Which has taught me important lessons about patience, resilience, creativity, and faith. There have been victories worth celebrating and obstacles that tested my commitment to the vision. Through every stage, I’ve learned that success isn’t always measured by how quickly you grow, but by your willingness to continue moving forward when things don’t go according to plan.
I got to where I am today because of the level of growth, perseverance, and the belief that difficult seasons can create meaningful opportunities. Every collection, design, and campaign is rooted in experiences has shaped who I am, while also speaking to people who are navigating their own journeys.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
My journey has been anything but linear, there is nothing smooth about building a business. Some of the struggles I faced were mostly either internal battles within myself or they have come from the business side of trying to establish a foundation for my brand. The biggest obstacle that I faced in the beginning phases would have to be on the financial side of the business. It took a lot of research on how to obtain a business the legal way, from obtaining the right government documents, meeting with financial institutions, as well as managing taxes and expenses. Building a brand takes certain level of delusion and faith, which is something that I struggled with for many months. Being in Pittsburgh, where there isn’t really much of a fashion scene also makes it hard to establish a community. Especially since I am not a native of Pittsburgh nor Pennsylvania.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Human Target?
Human Target, is a streetwear brand made for those who endure the obstacles society presents through any part of our lives. This brand is built on purposeful design, storytelling, and self-expression. What started as a creative outlet, has grown into a brand that reflects my view on culture and identity by using streetwear as a medium to convey my philosophies, not just a product.
What makes the brand unique? Refined, versatile purpose-driven approach to societal view through my own personal lens. Every garment is designed with intention, focusing on quality, meaning, and authenticity rather than trends.
As far as the brand, I’m most proud of the continuation of growth that we have achieved over the last few years. With each new year, we’ve achieved a new level. As our community continues to grow, so do the opportunities.
Here at, Human Target, we pride ourselves on creating quality timeless garments that will last for generations to come as we continue to expand. We value each & every walk of life no matter what color, background, religion or nationality you belong to.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
A key characteristic that is most important to my success is perseverance, to say the least. As I mentioned earlier, building a brand, let alone a business, is not an easy feat. There have been countless days and nights where I spent hours on end trying to figure out, not only how I was going to accomplish the goals I set for the brand, but also if I could actually make it happen. I think perseverance comes from having faith in your vision, even during the moments when there is no guarantee of success. It takes a certain level of conviction to push past the doubts and obstacles that naturally arise with building something from the ground up. That mindset is what has allowed me to continue moving forward and bring Human Target to life.
Pricing:
- Graphic Tees – ($35-$50)
- Graffiti Hoodie- $80
- Graffiti Sweatpants-$75
- Skull Caps- $25
- Beanies-$30
Contact Info:
- Website: https://humantarget.us
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/humantarget.us/
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/humantarget.us/
- Other: https://instagram.com/unlimitedkhi/
