Donald Brumfield Jr. isn’t just some guy who showed up to a tattoo shop and got lucky. Honestly, when you look at the chaotic trajectory of VH1’s Black Ink Crew: Chicago, most people remember the shouting matches, the broken glass, and the 9Mag internal warfare. But if you pay close attention to Don from Black Ink, you see a completely different narrative playing out. It’s a story of survival, rebranding, and a very deliberate pivot from reality TV villain to a legitimate fitness mogul.
He didn't start at the top. Far from it.
The early seasons were rough. We saw the "cheating scandals" and the messy family dynamics that usually tank a person's reputation forever. Most reality stars lean into that toxicity until the checks stop coming, then they vanish. Don didn't do that. He realized early on that the "Don from Black Ink" persona was a tool, not a life sentence. He leveraged the screen time to build something that would outlast the show's production cycle.
The 9Mag Fallout and the Birth of a Brand
When Ryan Henry famously "blew up" the original 9Mag shop, everyone scrambled. It was a mess. You had artists crying, fans picking sides on Twitter, and a general sense that the Chicago empire was crumbling. While the drama was peak entertainment, the business side was a nightmare. Don stayed in the mix, but he started shifting his energy. He wasn't just the "assistant" or the "manager" anymore. He started focusing on his physique and his professional acting and hosting aspirations.
The transition from "Phor’s brother" to a standalone entity was calculated. You see, in the world of Black Ink Crew, your value is usually tied to how much drama you can generate in a 42-minute episode. Don realized that being a "character" has an expiration date. Being a brand? That's forever.
He started NMOL—No Matter Our Losses.
It sounds like a catchy slogan for a t-shirt, right? It's more than that. It became his entire philosophy. He used his platform to show the "losses"—the public mistakes, the marital struggles with Ashley, the legal hurdles—and then showed the recovery. People relate to the struggle more than the success. That is why his following stayed loyal even when the show's ratings started to fluctuate.
Why the Fitness Pivot Actually Worked
Most reality stars launch a "fitness program" that consists of a PDF and some stolen Instagram photos. Don actually did the work. He didn't just post gym selfies; he transformed his entire biology. He entered bodybuilding competitions. He placed. He won.
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He moved into the NPC (National Physique Committee) circuit with the same intensity he brought to the shop, but with way more discipline. This wasn't for the cameras. If you follow his actual competition history, he was grinding in local shows where the VH1 cameras weren't even rolling. That’s authenticity. In an industry built on fake storylines, his physical transformation was the one thing production couldn't script.
The Business of Being Don
Think about the sheer volume of "reality stars" who are broke three years after their show gets canceled. It’s a huge problem. Don avoided this by diversifying. He didn't just rely on the VH1 per-episode fee.
- He leaned into acting, appearing in projects like The Impact and various independent films.
- He expanded his hosting gigs, using his natural charisma to command stages outside of the tattoo world.
- He prioritized his marriage with Ashley, turning their "rocky" TV relationship into a stable, dual-income powerhouse partnership.
It’s about the long game. You’ve seen it a million times: a guy gets a little bit of fame, spends it all on chains and cars, and ends up a "where are they now" segment. Don stayed in Chicago, stayed in the gym, and stayed in his lane.
The Misconception About His "Role" in the Shop
People often ask: "Wait, does Don even tattoo?"
No. He never claimed to be the guy holding the machine. His role at 9Mag was always about the vibes, the management, and the "face" of the business. In the later seasons, he was often the mediator. When Ryan and Van were at each other's throats, or when the new artists were acting out, Don was usually the one trying to pull the ship back together.
He became the emotional anchor of the show.
It’s a weird spot to be in. You’re in a tattoo shop, but you aren't an artist. However, if you've ever run a business, you know the most talented artist is often the worst manager. Don filled the gap. He understood the "Crew" part of Black Ink Crew. He handled the egos. He handled the personalities. He basically became the COO of a chaotic, televised circus.
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What Most People Get Wrong About the Drama
Let’s be real: the "Don is a cheater" narrative dominated his first few years. It was ugly. The revelations about his daughter, Kinlow, and the strain it put on Ashley were peak tabloid fodder. But look at how he handled it. He didn't run away. He didn't blame "the edit."
He leaned into the accountability.
There is a specific type of maturity that comes from being humiliated in front of millions of people and then saying, "Yeah, I did that. Now watch me fix it." Most people would have crumbled. Don and Ashley turned it into a platform for talking about real relationship hurdles. They became a "reality TV success story," which is a legitimate rarity. Usually, these shows end in divorce and restraining orders.
The Impact of Chicago Culture
You can't talk about Don without talking about Chicago. The show did a decent job of showing the city, but Don lived it. He navigated the politics of the South Side and the West Side while trying to maintain a "clean" corporate image for the show.
He didn't "go Hollywood."
Even as his fame grew, he stayed rooted in the local community. He used his platform to highlight Chicago's talent and the struggles of Black business owners in the city. He wasn't just a guy on TV; he was a guy from the neighborhood who made it. That distinction matters to the fans who have been there since season one.
The Future: Beyond the 9Mag Walls
Is Black Ink Crew over? For all intents and purposes, the franchise has changed. But Don’t career didn't end when the cameras stopped frequenting the shop. He’s moved into a space where he is a legitimate influencer in the fitness and lifestyle world.
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He’s a father first. That’s the most significant shift.
If you look at his current output, it’s all about the kids. It’s about building a legacy. The "Don from Black Ink" tag is still there—it’s his SEO gold, after all—but the man behind it is a professional. He’s a guy who realized that being a "reality star" is a job, but being a businessman is a career.
Actionable Takeaways from Don’s Journey
If you’re looking at Don’s trajectory and wondering how to apply that to your own life or brand, here’s the reality of it. It’s not about the tattoos or the TV time. It’s about the pivot.
- Own your narrative, especially the messy parts. Don didn't hide his mistakes; he used them as a baseline for his comeback. When you're transparent about your "losses," people can't use them against you.
- Diversify your skill set before you need to. He didn't wait for VH1 to fire him before he started acting and doing bodybuilding. He built the safety net while he was still on the high wire.
- Physical discipline translates to professional discipline. The gym wasn't just about muscles. It was about proving he had the mental fortitude to stick to a grueling schedule. That discipline carries over into every business meeting he walks into.
- Loyalty pays dividends. Despite the drama, his core circle stayed relatively tight. In an industry where everyone is looking for the next best thing, staying loyal to his family and his roots kept him grounded.
Don from Black Ink is a case study in rebranding. He took a situation that could have easily turned him into a punchline and turned it into a platform. He’s proof that your "first act" on the public stage doesn't have to define your whole life. You can be the guy who messed up on TV and still become the guy who inspires people to get in the best shape of their lives.
Honestly, the "Black Ink" label is just the beginning of his story. The real work happened when the cameras were off. He’s transitioned from a character to a person, and in the world of entertainment, that is the hardest tattoo to get.
To follow Don's current ventures, focus on his fitness programming and his work in the NPC bodybuilding circuit. His "No Matter Our Losses" philosophy is more relevant now than it ever was during the height of the 9Mag drama. If you're looking for a blueprint on how to survive reality TV with your soul and your bank account intact, Donald Brumfield Jr. is the guy to watch. He played the game, but he didn't let the game play him.