Marketing For Personal Brand
The inspiring transformation of my first client—from overcoming addiction stigma to becoming a recognized CEO and community leader
When I first met Kenneth Ginlack Sr. in recovery, he shared an ambitious dream that seemed impossible to most people: He wanted to run for Milwaukee County Supervisor.
Kenneth's background included decades of drug and alcohol addiction, drug dealing, petty theft, and what he describes as "a trail of emotional wreckage."
As he told the Shepherd Express, "Ginlack's personal history has been wounded with drug and alcohol addiction, drug dealing, petty theft, and a trail of emotional wreckage. He has lived inside trauma."
In traditional political wisdom, this past would be considered career-ending. But Kenneth saw it differently—and so did I.
The Real Challenge: Not his past, but how to transform the stigma of addiction into authentic authority for community service.
The Opportunity: Kenneth had just earned his MBA, had pursued mental health education at UWM, and possessed deep, lived understanding of the community challenges he wanted to address.
I took Kenneth through my signature Maverick Metamorphosis program, focusing on three core principles:
Through our work together, Kenneth discovered his true brand compass: giving back to the community by bringing mental health services to those who needed them most.
His personal experience with addiction, recovery, and transformation wasn't a liability—it was his unique qualification for understanding community mental health needs.
Instead of hiding his past, we made it the foundation of his platform. As his campaign announcement stated: "As a social worker, I have served for more than 10 years in the trenches with the people advocating for their needs to improve their quality of life."
Kenneth positioned himself authentically: "There is a need for less politicking and more political leadership that is about servicing the needs of the community." His lived experience became proof of his commitment to genuine service.
The Strategy: Kenneth officially announced his bid for Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors District 7 on January 22, 2018. According to Ballotpedia and Urban Milwaukee, Kenneth ran for election to represent District 7, with his campaign focusing on three main issues: 1) Behavioral Health, 2) County Transit and 3) the park system.
The Platform: Mental health services through sufficient funding, recognizing that Milwaukee County plays a key role in funding city programs.
My Role: I ran his social media strategy while Kenneth spoke at community events, building authentic connections throughout Milwaukee's north side.
The Authentic Positioning: Community members endorsed him saying: "Kenneth would make a great County Supervisor because he is connected to the constituents in the community and believe in helping others" and "Kenneth Ginlack spends a great deal of time in the Milwaukee County communities while working with the individuals that inhabit these communities."
While Kenneth lost the general election on April 3, 2018 to Felesia Martin, the campaign achieved something far more valuable than a political victory.
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2019-2021: As Director, Kenneth "oversees all the community health centers, access clinics, crisis stabilization houses, and even million-dollar contracts."
2015-Present: Founded Kenneth Ginlack Sr. Consulting LLC & Training Center on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, providing substance abuse counseling certification programs approved by the state of Wisconsin.
2022: Received the prestigious "IRIS Award for Outstanding Mental Health Professional" from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) – Wisconsin Annual Conference "for his dedication and commitment to promoting recovery and improving the treatment and quality of life for people affected by mental illness."
2024-Present: Appointed CEO and Executive Director of Serenity Inns, where he was "celebrating the ribbon cutting of the new building built on a vacant lot 15 blocks east from where he once sold drugs as a younger man."
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Kenneth's transformation story has gained national attention:
As CEO of Serenity Inns, Kenneth now oversees a "$3 million, 14-bed facility which will serve 56 additional men seeking recovery from substance use disorder each year" located "adjacent to Serenity Inns' existing 12-bed treatment facility, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary."
The ribbon-cutting ceremony drew Milwaukee's top leadership, including Mayor Cavalier Johnson, who said: "Last time I was here, this was an inner city vacant lot, but now we have this new facility to support people who need help with drug addiction and are trying to turn their lives around."
Kenneth's transformation validates every principle of the Maverick Metamorphosis Framework:
Kenneth now holds multiple licensures in Wisconsin: "licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), clinical substance abuse counselor (CSAC), and independent clinical supervisor (ICS)" with degrees from Upper Iowa University (Bachelor's) and Loyola University Chicago (Master's in Social Work).
Kenneth serves as "an ad-hoc instructor at the University of Wisconsin Continuing Education extension program" where "he instructs professionals on best practices for clinical supervision."
"Charles took me through a transformational process that helped me discover my authentic brand compass. The campaign wasn't about winning an election—it was about positioning my lived experience as my greatest qualification for community service. The results speak for themselves."
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Kenneth Ginlack Sr.
CEO, Serenity Inns
Kenneth's journey from addiction to CEO exemplifies the power of the Maverick Metamorphosis approach:
❌ Traditional Strategy: Hide the past, emphasize credentials✅ Maverick Strategy: Own the story, transform experience into authority
The Results:
Kenneth Ginlack Sr. proves that your biggest perceived weakness can become your greatest professional strength. His journey from addiction to executive leadership demonstrates the power of authentic positioning over perfect packaging.
The campaign wasn't about winning an election—it was about winning the right opportunities.
If you're ready to discover how your personal experiences can become your professional superpower, let's talk about your Maverick Metamorphosis.
Kenneth continues changing lives through Serenity Inns' comprehensive addiction recovery programs. Support Serenity Inns' Mission → DONATE HERE
Ready to turn your challenges into competitive advantages? Discover the Maverick Metamorphosis Framework → APPLY HERE
Kenneth Ginlack Sr.'s story has been featured in the Shepherd Express, This Is Actually Happening podcast, BizTimes Milwaukee, Urban Milwaukee, and multiple other publications. All quotes and achievements are verified through public records and reputable media sources.
