We had the good fortune of connecting with Kenneth “Big Ken” Carlisle Jr. and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kenneth “Big Ken”, what do you attribute your success to?
The most important factor and success of my brand is my life, transformed by Christ Jesus! Coming from a criminal background, I was lost and thought that my purpose was centered around what myself (and others) believed to be a ghetto superstar. I,e: pimps and pushers, boosters and slicksters that beat “the man” at his own “game”.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
When I was incarcerated back in the early 2000’s I received two letters. One was from my maternal and the other from my paternal aunt. Neither of them had even ever met as far as I knew and I hadn’t received any mail from anyone in months. So I felt it was more than a coincidence and I began to tell my story over the period of two and a half years and almost 2000 sheets of paper front and back. It was a long and arduous task, but I finally came to a stopping point around 2008 when I got released. My story was a brutally honest account of my life growing up in Oak Cliff Texas and eventually becoming consumed by the drug trade and criminal lifestyle. The center piece was the politics of religion behind bars and my real account with God and how it completely rearranged my thought processes and my heart. Bro.Ken: Down for Life is the title of my book as well as the name of my brand. A large part of my epiphany while incarcerated was that I have the devil 100% and was willing to die for what I felt like was valuable to me. Then and even now I’m willing to give 100% to Christ, the gospel and the kingdom. Henceforth: “Down For Life”! Since my release I have spoken to large groups of people in prison and in church’s and other places about God and my story. I’ve also written/illustrated 4 children’s books and am retroactively producing Down For Life 2: International Hope Dealer on Kindle Vella. I also have merch (all designed by myself) that is partly used to donate my literature to correctional institutions on a quarterly basis. We are also in the process of starting a sober skate club in an effort to reach and teach the youth. I am an LCDC-I and I currently work with adolescents at a behavioral ranch style facility that is faith based. Additionally, I am obtaining my barbers license not only because I love the industry and opportunity to network but ultimately to create a chain and perhaps include the training in my reentry business plan for offenders.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My favorite spots in the city would include Big T Bazaar, Traders Village, the Texas State Fair, Rudy’s Chicken, the Cowboys Stadium (Att) Yellow belly car racing.. STK steakhouse,

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to shoutout Jesus Christ first and foremost! He taught me how to live. My wife Emily (my biggest fan), my Mom and Dad, Scooby my son, may he rest in paradise. My tribe (the selfless souls that work in mental health in any capacity) all my fan!! Mr. Thomas, my barber instructor and anyone else who tolerated (still does) my transition through this place called Earth. My baby son, “Klayton”, James “JT” Terry, Sherrod Ellis aka the Mad Scientist, Ozella, (Fat). Nate Wiggington, and Tyree Burks.

Website: downforlife.shop

Instagram: downforlifeinc

Linkedin: Kenneth (Big Ken) Carlisle Jr

Twitter: @downforlife247

Facebook: Down For Life Inc

Youtube: @downforlifeinc.5708

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