Kaepernick Publishing has been busy!
We’ve had a busy 6 months here at Kaepernick Publishing and we wanted to share some exciting news with you!
We announced that in partnership with our friends at Scholastic we’ll be publishing Ukrainian-Nigerian-Canadian professional hockey player Akim Aliu’s graphic novel memoir, DREAMER: Growing up Black in the World of Hockey, in February 2023. DREAMER tells Akim's incredible story, from being the only Black child in his Ukrainian community, to his family struggling to make ends meet while living in Toronto, to confronting the racist violence he often experienced both on and off the ice. This is a gut-wrenching and riveting graphic novel memoir that reminds us all never to stop dreaming, and is sure to inspire young readers everywhere. Learn more about the book at Kaepernick Publishing. Pre-orders are available here!
Our announcement of Akim’s graphic novel memoir comes on the heels of the April 5th publication of Colin Kaepernick’s debut children’s picture book, I Color Myself Different. Published with our partners at Scholastic, Colin’s children’s book has hit the New York Times Bestseller List twice since its release! I Color Myself Different is based on a real experience Colin had as a young person. He was given a seemingly simple assignment in kindergarten: “draw a picture of yourself and your family.” He drew his white adoptive family with a yellow crayon and then picked up a brown crayon to draw himself. This pivotal moment taught him a valuable lesson about embracing his Black identity through the power of self-love, and helped him to understand how his brown skin was connected to his Blackness. We’re so proud his book is now out in the world! Pick up a copy here.
Though it’s been a busy spring, we’re already looking ahead to the fall. As we’ve previously announced, we’re thrilled to be publishing former NBA star Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf’s autobiography on October 18, 2022. Written with Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nick Chiles, In the Blink of an Eye: An Autobiography will capture the attention of sports fans and general audiences alike. Marked by staggering vulnerability, Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf—whose given name was Chris Jackson before converting to Islam and changing it in 1991—recounts the twists, turns, trials, and triumphs of his life. He is perhaps most well-known for being exiled from the NBA for praying—instead of standing and saluting the flag during the playing of “The Star-Spangled Banner” before games throughout the 1995–96 season. Abdul-Rauf’s protest sent shockwaves through the league that can still be felt today. Pre-order details are available here.
As we reflect on our growth, we can’t help but remember that it’s been only 7 months since we published our very first title, Abolition for the People: A Movement for the Future without Policing & Prisons. This anthology is packed with over 30 essays that map out a world that is better, safer, and more just.
Whatever project we undertake, we’ll continue to stay true to our mission: 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. We’re just getting started and we’re glad you’re along for the ride!
In solidarity,
Kaepernick Publishing