Half United

Half United, also referred to as HU, is a socially conscious give-back brand that sells accessories and apparel, and for every product sold, 7 meals are given to a child in need. It was founded by siblings Carmin
and Christian Black in 2009, it has grown to become a well-recognized
company whose main goal is fighting to end world hunger. Their main point of
interest is the recycled bullet necklace, which symbolizes the fight to end
hunger. Thousands of meals have been provided to people in countries like
Cambodia, Madagascar, Fiji, and the United States of America. Half
United has partnered with Toms Shoe Company, Pura Vida Bracelets, Nordstrom, Buckle, and
other retailers across a global scale. The Blacks continue to keep their company a
small organization by employing a small number of staff and interns. Local to Wilmington, North Carolina, Half United products can be found at
multiple stores as well as the Half United Headquarters Wilmington location
itself.
History.
Carmin and Christian Black started Half United
in 2009 in Wilmington, North Carolina with two hundred dollars 
and an inspiration set by their parents and by the ideals of Toms. With a
pastor and fashion interior designer as parents, the siblings grew up with a
passion for giving and creativity.  Carmin
Black had a job at a local television station, WECT TV-6, when she decided she
wanted to intern for TOMS which sent her across the country to share the
concept of the one-for-one business model. Due to the knowledge
she gained through the internship, Carmin was inspired and able to bring back
ideas on how to start a company based on the same model.
Christian Black started a T-shirt company called 1989 but it
was never a success. Based on the knowledge of trying to launch
a business and the new one-for-one business model, the siblings set off to
create an accessories company that would provide for those in need. When Half
United first started, Carmin and Christian were not paid and did not make profit
from the company. They gave the money made from products away as part of the
business model. They kept working and since 2010, they have been able to
provide over 500,000 meals to people in need. Profits go to international and local food organizations.
In July 2015, they launched at Forever21. A big win for the growing company.
Greater success would come in the Fall of 2016, when they launched an exclusive line of jewelry with the popular retail chain, Buckle, that featured coins from each country where HU donates meals (USA, Fiji, Cambodia, and Haiti). In that same year, they were also featured on a segment of Good Morning America called "Deals and Steals", where their t-shirts and sweatshirts with the popular saying "Giving Back is the New Black" were highlighted.
Purpose.
The purpose of Half United is to fight hunger
across the world by selling products and donating 7 meals for every product sold to
feeding children in need. Carmin and Christian were inspired by a statistic stating, "925
million people worldwide suffer from hunger" which provided them with a mission
to lower that number.  They
understood that hunger is the number one health risk worldwide leading
to malnutrition, disease, and not being able to work effectively due to
starvation. The Blacks wanted to put an end to the hunger crisis. The main item
they use as the symbol of fighting hunger is recycled bullet casing necklaces.
This symbol was chosen after a friend donated a box of spent casings to them in the early stages of product development. Then it clicked: the bullet represents their customer's fight against world hunger. Something that once could harm, can now only be used for good. These necklaces are sold all over the United States in small boutiques and in
larger department stores. HU sells other accessories such as T-shirts, hats,
bracelets, and earrings with the same purpose of donating 7 meals for every product sold to children in need, both at home and abroad. Half United has inspired the community where the
business is located to take a stand against the hunger crisis by providing to
local food banks and by helping the economy of Wilmington, North Carolina. The
accessories are all handmade by staff, interns, and volunteers. Supplies, such
as the recycled bullet casings, are donated from resources
around town, which shows how the town is involved in the business.
Seed necklaces are the next project on board for HU. They plan on planting one
seed for every necklace bought in gardens in Wilmington as well
as gardens globally. 
Staff.
Half United staff includes a total of seven core members
alongside interns and unpaid volunteers:
1.    Carmin Black - founder alongside her brother; head of sales and senior designer for the company
2.    Christian Black - co-founder; the head of both the marketing and creative departments 
3.    Hannah Black - involved with the sales department;
assistant to co-founder, Carmin Black 
4.    Anna Fortune - in charge of production and shipping for HU 
5.    Natassja Simpson - works on the marketing + creative team with Christian 
6. Meredith Wheeler - Vice President of Sales Development
7. Olivia Prizzia - Director of Global Giving
The teams of interns and volunteers help to run HU and keep
things running smoothly.
Donations.
The cost of 7 meal is factored into the cost of every Half United product. At the end of every month, they divide the money evenly between their giving partners.
 The
official meal count on the Half United website states they have provided
over 650,000 meals as of May 2018. Some
organizations they have donated to include the USA Food Bank of Central and
Eastern North Carolina, Cape Fear Volunteer Center,
Empowerment Advocates International of Cambodia and Madagascar, Papillion Enterprises in Haiti, the EAI Orphanage in Cambodia,
and the Northern Christian Training Center Orphanage of Fiji. The money donated is used
for many different ways. It is used for gardens, fish farms, education, and
backpack meals. The new project they have started will include
planting a seed for each "seed necklace" purchased.  They also work with the What If Foundation of
Haiti and Vigilant of Hope in Wilmington. Helping in Wilmington,
North Carolina helps build the sense of community and also shows how close to
home the hunger problem is for the Black siblings.
Retailers.
HALF UNITED is sold online through their official website as well as in stores around the world, primarily in the United
States and Canada. Retailers range from small
boutiques to large department stores. Nordstrom is one of their biggest
retailers as well as Buckle and Altar'd State. Because HU
was noticed at the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week show, more orders were placed for
accessories. Retail stores are available in 28 different states
as well as online.  The
Half United headquarters can also be visited for purchasing products.