The Dreamville Foundation was established in 2011 by J. Cole to give back to rural communities in North Carolina, and now it's been reported that NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick has donated $34,000 to support its philanthropic work.

Kaepernick made headlines for taking a knee during the national anthem before games last season, leading some to suspect his unsigned status is a negative response to his statement against police brutality.

J. Cole recently proclaimed from on stage, "Don't you think that somebody should risk their whole livelihood and their whole life to talk about this … ? Even if it cost them their money, their job, their life? Don't that sound like Colin Kaepernick?"

Despite the price Kaepernick has paid, he is also paying his success forward, now developing specific Dreamville Foundation programs that have yet to be announced.

One of the ways J. Cole has been paying it forward himself is through film, including his 4 Your Eyez Only — a Dreamville Film documentary. Shown on HBO in April, J. Cole put the whole thing on YouTube in May where it has already scored more than 1.6 million views.

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Reality can be daunting leading some to avoid it, but through their work with The Dreamville Foundation, J. Cole and Colin Kaepernick are determined to face it and improve it.

J. Cole Helms Bertie County Documentary