Kenan’s story

I’ve been shaped by both joy and heartbreak—and those experiences have taught me how to lead, and how to walk with others while they lead too.

When my wife and I lost our daughter to SMA, I learned what it truly means to honor humanity. Years later, as Chief Equity and Achievement Officer in Lorain, Ohio, I helped lead a district turnaround that moved our schools from an F to a B in gap closing in one year. It was a powerful season—and a reminder that real change takes courage, clarity, and care especially when things get dicey.

Since then, I’ve coached executives across the country, co-founded Rethinc, and worked with leaders at large non-profits, school districts, ed tech organizations, policy groups, and more. At Rethinc, we built a reputation for helping leadership teams get unstuck, reset culture, and actually make inclusion work—without losing their people along the way.

My coaching centers on three essentials from the Rethinc framework for effective management: genuine concern, team membership, and professional agency. Those aren’t buzzwords but they’re how my folks strive to live and lead.

My people will tell you that I’ll reference 3 things in nearly every facilitated session because authenticity is important to me. 1) Granny. 2) The Black Church. 3.) Golden Era Hip Hop. Kept, my vinyl-only album, is an extension of that collective wisdom as it relates to leadership work. It’s a personal project—a keepsake I plan to share with clients as a reminder that even in heavy seasons, we’re still held.

If you’re trying to lead through something real and want a partner who brings honesty, clarity, and heart to the work—I’d be honored to walk with you.