Colin Kaepernick hasn’t taken an NFL snap since 2017, but he’s never been idle. While the league may have shut its doors, Kaepernick has been steadily opening new ones, quietly constructing an empire grounded in justice, creativity, and economic power. His path since leaving the NFL hasn’t just been one of resistance. It’s been one of reinvention.
Kaepernick’s legacy began to shift in 2016 when he took a knee to protest police brutality and racial injustice while playing for the San Francisco 49ers. The moment cost him a job in the NFL, but it cemented his voice as one of the most powerful in American public life. And instead of retreating, he leaned in, turning his influence into a platform for economic change and cultural ownership. Kaepernick has proven that social activism and wealth-building aren’t mutually exclusive through a broad portfolio of business ventures, investments, and creative initiatives. They can be mutually reinforcing.
Colin Kaepernick’s Storytelling Journey
One of the most ambitious components of Kaepernick’s business strategy is his investment in storytelling. According to a previous AFROTECH™ report, the former NFL quarterback launched Kaepernick Publishing, a company dedicated to amplifying marginalized voices and pushing forward narratives that challenge dominant systems. He released the young adult memoir “Change the Game,” reflecting his high school years and the racial tensions that shaped his early identity. Through a collaboration with Scholastic, the book became both a personal reflection and a tool for youth empowerment.
That same year, TechCrunch noted that Kaepernick joined Medium’s board of directors, forging a partnership to distribute articles and commentary under the Kaepernick Publishing banner. His presence on Medium extends to editorial projects like Momentum, a blog focused on civil rights, and Level, a platform for Black male perspectives. These ventures aren’t side projects. They’re architecture for long-term narrative power — tools to shift public discourse sustainably.
He further expanded his creative footprint through a deal with The Walt Disney Company. His media company, Ra Vision Media, is producing a docuseries in collaboration with ESPN Films and The Undefeated, which details his life story and activism. ESPN reported that the agreement also provides opportunities for Black and Brown directors, writers, and producers across all Disney platforms, including Hulu and Pixar.
Tech, Capital, And The Future Of Creative Equity
Based on a separate AFROTECH™ report, Kaepernick has also placed his energy and investments into the evolving intersection of technology and creativity. In 2023, he raised $4 million to launch Lumi, an artificial intelligence-driven platform designed to help emerging creators build, publish, and monetize visual storytelling projects like comics, manga, and graphic novels. Lumi doesn’t just offer software. It provides a pathway. With features that include character generation, merchandise support, and built-in publishing tools, the platform aims to remove the barriers that typically block underrepresented creators from participating in the global storytelling economy.
In February 2025, Kaepernick extended Lumi’s reach into classrooms through a partnership with Hillside Public Schools in Hillside, NJ, giving students hands-on access to digital storytelling tools and an opportunity to engage with the platform as creators. He’s seeding the next generation of storytellers, coders, and changemakers who might not otherwise have had access.
Investing With Intent: Skin Care, Food Justice, And Health Equity
Kaepernick’s business interests also include health, wellness, and consumer equity. He joined the board of Naomi Osaka’s skincare brand, KINLÒ, and invested in its seed round to address the lack of sun protection products for people with melanated skin. KINLÒ is not just a skincare company — it’s a public health mission grounded in education and inclusion.
According to Forbes, the 37-year-old also used consumer partnerships to fuel philanthropic work. In collaboration with Ben & Jerry’s, he launched Change the Whirled, a non-dairy frozen dessert, with proceeds going directly to the Know Your Rights Camp, his nonprofit that focuses on the liberation and well-being of Black and brown communities through legal advocacy, education, and self-empowerment.
Is A Kaepernick Comeback Still In Sight?
The Washington Times notes that despite all his success outside of football, Kaepernick has never fully walked away from the game. He continues to train rigorously, according to his longtime partner Nessa Diab, who described his commitment as unwavering and daily. Over the years, he’s received interest from teams like the Seattle Seahawks and Las Vegas Raiders, and even fielded a coaching offer from Jim Harbaugh of the Los Angeles Chargers. But the goal has remained the same: return to the field as a quarterback.
The Athletic notes that recent public opinion has shifted since 2016. According to recent Harris Poll data, support for Kaepernick and his 2018 Nike ad has grown significantly, with a sharp decline in the number of Americans saying they would boycott the brand. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has since apologized for the league’s failure to support peaceful protest. But while the league now gestures toward inclusion, Kaepernick remains unsigned. For many, his absence is no longer about talent — it’s about fear, image, and the lasting discomfort of a movement that held a mirror up to the nation.
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Kaepernick maintains a $20 million net worth. However, his story is still being written. Whether he returns to the gridiron or not, one thing is clear: He never stopped playing. He just changed the field.
