Terry Kennedy is back in the skate conversation again — this time with a new brand identity.
His recently-launched company, TK Skate Co., has now been renamed Protest Skateboard Company, according to a newly launched Instagram page for the project. The messaging leans heavily into a rebellious street identity:
“Anti-culture. Anti-average. Born in the streets. We don’t ask. We take spots.”
So far, the brand mostly exists online. The Instagram page is active, but the website linked in the bio still points to tkskateco.com, which currently shows a “Coming Soon” page. No boards, team riders, or product announcements have been revealed yet.
But because of who’s behind it, the rebrand is already getting attention.
From Baker Videos to Mainstream Fame
Long before the controversy, Terry Kennedy was one of the most recognizable personalities in skateboarding.
He first made serious waves in the early 2000s through Baker Skateboards, appearing in classic videos like Baker 2G and Baker 3. His skating — combined with a loud personality and constant presence in the Baker crew — made him stand out during an era that included names like Andrew Reynolds, Dustin Dollin, and Jim Greco.
Kennedy’s visibility only grew from there. He later rode for Ice Cream / Billionaire Boys Club, Pharrell Williams’ skate brand, and began appearing outside core skate media on shows like Viva La Bam. He even starred in the 2009 skate film Street Dreams.
By the late 2000s, “Compton Ass Terry” had become one of the most recognizable skateboarders crossing over into mainstream pop culture.
Then everything changed.
The Prison Sentence That Changed His Career
In 2021, Kennedy was arrested after a violent altercation with fellow skateboarder Josiah Kassahun at an Illinois hotel. Kassahun later died after suffering severe injuries during the incident.
Kennedy was originally charged with first-degree murder but was later acquitted of that charge. He was ultimately convicted of two counts of aggravated battery and sentenced to five years in prison.
The case deeply divided the skate community and effectively removed Kennedy from the industry for several years. He was released on parole on December 31, 2025, after serving most of his sentence.
Life After Prison
During and after his time in prison, Kennedy spoke about trying to improve his life. Part of that included converting to Islam, which he described as a step toward discipline and personal change.
That aspect of his life isn’t really visible in his recent social posts though. Most of the content he’s sharing now revolves around skating again and promoting the new brand.
He’s also posted a few clips of himself back on the board since his release. After being away from skating for years, the footage understandably looks rough around the edges — something plenty of skaters online have pointed out.
That’s not surprising after such a long break, but it has also sparked debate about whether Kennedy can realistically re-enter skateboarding in a meaningful way.
Either way, Protest Skateboard Company appears to be the next chapter he’s trying to build.
The Name Situation
The rebrand also raises an interesting wrinkle.
Kennedy’s brand is called Protest Skateboard Company, but there’s already a skate brand operating under the name Protest Skateboards. That company, based in Canda, has been around for several years.
They’ve released boards in the past and even produced a guest pro model for Andy Anderson, which gave the brand some visibility within the scene.
Technically the names aren’t word-for-word identical, but they’re close enough in both name and in the products they sell that confusion between the two brands seems inevitable.
Trademark protections are typically tied to specific countries, but skate brands sell online and ship internationally. If Kennedy moves forward with a full skateboard brand under the Protest name, both companies would likely end up selling similar products under nearly identical names, potentially laying the groundwork for a lawsuit.
At this point there’s no indication of any dispute between the two companies. But the overlap is something the skate world will likely keep an eye on.
instagram.com/protestmovement/
A Name Alone Won’t Carry a Skate Brand
Starting a new skate brand in 2026 isn’t easy. The industry is crowded, and credibility usually comes from one thing: the skating.
If Protest Skateboard Company wants legitimacy, skaters will likely want to see more than slogans. That usually means a solid team, boards hitting shops, and a proper video project.
Right now it’s mostly just a name and an idea.
But because Terry Kennedy is involved, people are definitely paying attention to what happens next.
What Do You Think?
Terry Kennedy has always been a polarizing figure in skateboarding, and this new brand will probably spark strong opinions.
Would you support Protest Skateboard Company?
What would the brand need to do to earn credibility in skateboarding today?
And do you think the name similarity with another Protest skate brand could become an issue down the road?
Let us know in the comments!