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Colin Kaepernick is a man of his word, and he’s definitely putting his money where his mouth is.  After kneeling during the national anthem to protest against the oppression, inequality, and police brutality against black people, Kaepernick also promised to work within the community and donate money to worthy causes.  He started the Million Dollar Pledge.

“I will donate one million dollars plus all the proceeds of my jersey sales from the 2016 season to organizations working in oppressed communities, 100k a month for 10 months,” said Kaepernick.

How much money is given and exactly what the money is for, can all be tracked on his website.

The San Francisco 49ers quarterback made a donation to the Black Youth Project 100 organization.  It’s national chapters, including Chicago’s, are “dedicated to creating justice and freedom for all Black people.”

According to Kaepernick’s site, he donated $25,000.

This donation will specifically pay for:
  • $20,000 to fund local organizing projects for 7 BYP100 Chapters- This includes paying kids for their time, transportation, and meals.
  • $5,000 to fund printing and purchasing of political education materials (e.g. books, e-magazines, documentaries etc.)

According to BYP100, the Agenda to Build Black Futures is “a set of economic goals and structural changes that could improve the lives of Black people living in America.”

“We envision a more economically just society that values the lives and well-being of ALL Black people, including women, queer, and transgender folks, the incarcerated and formerly incarcerated as well as those who languish in the bottom 1% of the economic hierarchy,” BYP100 wrote on its website.

BYP100 has been a vocal presence at many protests and demonstrations in Chicago since the release of the Laquan McDonald shooting video last year.  A 17-year old Chicagoan, McDonald died after an officer shot him 16 times.

Kaepernick told reporters that there may be more donations for Chicago groups in the future.

“I’ll continue to look at other communities in Chicago, as well, as far as what are ways I can help and what are ways I can try to help empower those communities,” Kaepernick said.

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