Being Terry Kennedy

The American reality television series, Being Terry Kennedy, aired on BET from 2010, offering viewers an intimate exploration of the life, career, and personal journey of renowned professional skateboarder and entrepreneur, Terry Kennedy. The show is a truly captivating series for fans of skating, entrepreneurship, and reality television alike. It provides an exclusive peak behind the scenes of the glamorous, yet challenging, world of professional skateboarding and entrepreneurship.

At the heart of Being Terry Kennedy is Kennedy himself, whose story takes center stage. Terry is a celebrated professional skateboarder, and the series explores not only his life as a professional athlete soaring high on the ramps and rails, but also his entrepreneurial life, personal relationships, and the less conspicuous aspects of his life that round out a holistic portrayal of his persona. Kennedy's story is deeply inspiring; growing up in a conflict-ridden neighborhood in Long Beach, California, he defied the odds and emerged as a leading figure in the skateboard industry. The show reveals how his passion for skateboarding helped him escape an environment mired in socio-economic strife.

Each episode follows Terry Kennedy's day-to-day life, charting both his professional activities, including exhilarating skate events and business dealings, and his interactions with friends, family, and associates. Viewers journey alongside Terry as he navigates his idiosyncratic relationship with skateboarding, engaging with likes of team members, mentors, sponsors and rivals. The high-stakes environment of competitive skateboarding is depicted in all its raw, unfiltered essence.

More than just a reality series about skateboarding, Being Terry Kennedy explores a man's perseverance and passion. It's a chronicle of a young African-American man's dreams materialized into reality—a story of perseverance, gumption, and ambition. It discovers how Kennedy has been able to excel in a predominately white industry and gain global popularity in skateboarding, proving that race doesn't determine the limits of one's abilities or ambitions.

The series also sheds light on Terry's entrepreneurial journey. Co-owner of the clothing line, Fly Society, he delves into the world of business, reflecting his off-the-board capabilities. His ventures into fashion and music prove his ambition and determination to break the mold, crossing over into areas not typically associated with the skateboarding industry.

Being Terry Kennedy paints an insightful and empathetic picture of Terry's personal life as well. It orbits around his relationships, capturing his dynamic with his beloved grandmother who helps him stay solidified to his roots and humble in his fame; his romance with his then-girlfriend, budding model Caroline Schwitzky; and his camaraderie with friends who form his Fly Society crew. The series ultimately humanizes the professional skateboarder, propelling him beyond his public persona and into the heart of his personal world, governed by love, friendship, and obligation.

The series can be applauded for its honest and unsanitized depiction of Terry's life. It doesn't shy away from showing the struggles that come with fame and success, the pressures of professional skateboarding, and the high-stakes world of entrepreneurship. Being Terry Kennedy offers an uplifting narrative about overcoming obstacles, perseverance, and the importance of remaining grounded despite soaring to unimaginable heights of success.

In watching Being Terry Kennedy, viewers are exposed to a multifaceted individual who is subverting norms and challenging stereotypes, both in his professional and personal life. He has become an idol and an inspiration to many, by showing with confidence and tenacity that one can craft their path regardless of where they come from.

To sum it up, Being Terry Kennedy is a compelling ride into the unique fusion of skateboarding, entrepreneurial chops, and elements of human relationships. It exhibits the arduous, yet inspiring journey of a man's pursuit to live up to his dreams and potential, going beyond obstacles and challenges. Whether a fan of skateboarding or entrepreneurship, or simply an admirer of human resilience and determination, this show offers a captivating viewing experience, diving into a life that directly embodies the drive and grit required to make dreams come true. Beyond the skating ramps and flashy entrepreneurship, it's ultimately about the man, Terry Kennedy—being human, being real, being ambitious.