NEW YORK, NY — January 25 2024 — Colin Kaepernick, renowned activist, athlete, and New York Times bestselling author, Nessa Diab, activist and nationally syndicated radio host, and Scholastic, the global children’s publishing, education, and media company, today announced plans to publish the picture book We Are Free, You & Me in the US and Canada on October 1, 2024. In an exclusive offer from Kaepernick Publishing, the agreement includes World rights and all languages for both print and eBook formats. With illustrations by Gladys Jose, We Are Free, You & Me is a lyrical affirmation of what freedom truly means—and celebrates the principles of Colin and Nessa's Know Your Rights Camp, an international movement that has inspired thousands of young people to rejoice in their inherent goodness. Kaepernick and Diab will donate 100% of their proceeds from the book to Know Your Rights Camp.

 

“We’re proud to collaborate with Colin and Nessa on their picture book debut,” said Andrea Davis Pinkney, Vice President, Executive Editor, Scholastic. “Their triumphant anthem for all children celebrates the freedom that lives in everyone. This book’s read-aloud power will have kids rejoicing in their own brilliance and freedom!” 

 

“As parents, this project has been especially meaningful to us,” said Colin Kaepernick and Nessa Diab. “The messages contained in We Are Free, You & Me represent what we aspire to affirm in our own child. The book celebrates a fictional family enjoying a day together in their loving community. We hope this book inspires young people to live in the light of their own strength, truth, and self-worth as they embark on their journey through life. Artist Gladys Jose has beautifully rendered the vibrancy that shines in the universal joy and promise that’s illuminated in the experiences of community.”

 

Every child has the right to be free. . . the right to reach. . . the right to dream. . . This lyrical affirmation of what freedom truly means celebrates the principles of Colin and Nessa's nonprofit organization Know Your Rights Camp (KYRC) — an international movement that has inspired thousands of young people to rejoice in their inherent goodness. KYRC was established to equip young people with the resources and knowledge to ensure they feel valued, inspired, and loved in ways that will help them thrive. We Are Free, You & Me invites even the youngest readers to embrace the Know Your Rights Camp ideals, and to believe they are loved and worthy, just because. 

 

Colin Kaepernick is an NFL Super Bowl quarterback and the New York Times bestselling author of I Color Myself Different, illustrated by Eric Wilkerson and the YA graphic novel memoir Change the Game, co-written by Eve L. Ewing, illustrated by Orlando Caicedo. With his partner, Nessa Diab, he founded Know Your Rights Camp (KYRC), which advances the liberation and well-being of Black and Brown people through education, self-empowerment, mass mobilization, and the creation of new systems that elevate the next generation of change leaders. In 2019, he started Kaepernick Publishing to empower a new generation of writers and creators through the development and publication of meaningful works of all genres that focus on amplifying diverse views and voices. Colin and Nessa are also cofounders of Kaepernick Media, a multidisciplinary media company that showcases the work of Black and Brown directors, producers, creators, and storytellers.

 

Nessa Diab is co-founder of the Know Your Rights Camp, a non-profit organization she launched with Colin Kaepernick. She’s a dedicated community advocate who spearheaded the distribution of Colin Kaepernick’s Million Dollar Pledge to organizations that work in underserved communities such as Black Veterans for Social Justice and DREAM. In addition to her social justice and advocacy work, Nessa is a notable media presence. She hosts afternoon drive 3-7pm weekdays on New York City’s legendary radio station, HOT 97, along with her nationally syndicated show Nessa On Air that captivates over a million listeners weekly. In addition, she hosts MTV's VMAs and Reunions shows, and was also nominated for a New York Emmy for “Talk Stoop.” Nessa's impact extends to the "Nessa OFF Air" podcast, a comedic focus on self-improvement through the lens of Nessa’s life experience, pop culture, and social issues. Nessa's philanthropy includes the Nessa On Air Scholarship to support her mentees preparing for college in partnership with Lower East Side Girls Club. A University of California, Berkeley graduate, Nessa co-founded Kaepernick Media, showcasing Black and Brown creators in media.

 

Gladys Jose is an illustrator and storyteller. She graduated from the University of Central Florida in 2012, where she earned a bachelor's degree in fine arts, specializing in graphic design. Gladys is the illustrator of Fresh Princess by Denene Millner; The Elephants Hide and Seek Handbook by Kjersten Hayes. 

 

Know Your Rights Camp is a non-profit organization founded by Colin Kaepernick and Nessa Diab in 2015 with the mission to advance the liberation and well-being of Black and Brown communities through education, self-empowerment, mass-mobilization, and the creation of new systems that elevate the next generation of change leaders. Since then, KYRC has had eleven of its signature programmatic offerings, Know Your Rights Camps, that have served 2,800 youth and launched many initiatives and rapid response survival programs. These efforts have produced programs such as the Covid-19 Relief Fund that's served hundreds of thousands of meals, rental assistance, PPE distribution and $1M in community bail funds, a Legal Defense Initiative to support protestors’ rights that protected 90,000 people’s rights, $2M to over 100 community and grassroots organizations and launched a first-of-its-kind Autopsy Initiative that has completed over 70 second autopsies free-of-charge for victims’ families who have lost their loved ones due to a police-related death since its inception 18 months ago. The KYRC app launched this year with a first-of-its-kind state by state guide to one's rights when interacting with police during traffic stops and protests. Since the founding of KYRC, Colin has also donated his proceeds from his jersey sales as well as his Million Dollar Pledge to when he first launched KYRC. This included his #10For10 campaign and the #10For10 Encore which were ways to get celebrities to support the cause of Black and Brown empowerment and education. Know Your Rights Camp also makes meaningful impact in partnership with aligned organizations like Ben & Jerry's where 100% of Colin's proceeds from the flavor honoring him, "Change the Whirled" is donated to Know Your Rights Camp. This partnership has produced meaningful community activations and grants like in cities like Tampa Bay. Learn more in KYRC's Impact Reports at knowyourrightscamp.org.

 

Founded by Colin Kaepernick in 2019, Kaepernick Publishing strives to elevate a new generation of writers with diverse views and voices through the creation of powerful works of all genres that can build a better and more just world. kaepernickpublishing.com

 

For more information about Scholastic, visit //mediaroom.scholastic.com/.

 

 

Scholastic Contact: Tracy van Straaten | TvS Media Group | tracy.vanstraaten@tvsmediagroup.com

Kaepernick Publishing Contact: Press@KaepernickPublishing.com