Colin Kaepernick Cashes In: MCPS Invites Activist Quarterback to Preach Politics—and Pitch His AI Company

Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), the same system struggling with plummeting test scores, teacher shortages, and parent outrage over transparency, just rolled out the red carpet for Colin Kaepernick. Yes—that Colin Kaepernick. The activist ex-quarterback who hasn’t thrown a professional pass since 2016, but has built a lucrative second career lecturing America about its supposed systemic sins.

On August 14, 2025, Kaepernick was the featured speaker at MCPS’s Superintendent’s Administrative and Supervisory (A&S) summer meeting, where he addressed school leaders on “social justice,” “storytelling,” and—conveniently—his for-profit AI company, Lumi Story AI.

What Did Taxpayers Pay? MCPS Won’t Say.

Here’s the problem: no one knows how much this appearance cost the district. MCPS has refused to disclose the fee. Parents are already demanding Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, citing Kaepernick’s typical speaking fees, which range from $150,000 to nearly $300,000. Even if his fee was discounted—or even free—the optics are terrible. In a district that routinely cries poor when it comes to classroom resources, spending six figures on a celebrity lecture looks like a slap in the face to teachers, parents, and taxpayers.

The Quiet Contract with Lumi Story AI

It gets murkier. MCPS has also quietly entered into a contract with Kaepernick’s company, Lumi Story AI, to provide “educational tools.” The superintendent confirmed the contract but dodged specifics, noting only that it falls under the $150,000 threshold that requires school board approval. Translation: it’s just small enough to avoid public debate.

Parents are right to ask: What exactly is MCPS buying? AI storytelling platforms sound flashy, but are they proven to boost reading comprehension, math performance, or critical thinking? Or is this just another Silicon Valley gimmick—an expensive toy that distracts from the district’s actual mission?

Who Benefits?

Kaepernick benefits. He gets taxpayer-funded exposure for his business, the chance to brand himself as an “educational innovator,” and possibly a six-figure check for two hours of work. MCPS leaders benefit too—they get to posture as “forward-thinking” and “socially aware,” all while ducking accountability for basic academic failures.

But do students benefit? That’s far less clear. Parents are already frustrated that their kids’ education is being used as a stage for politics and corporate partnerships, rather than a focus on fundamentals. Adding Kaepernick to the payroll only deepens the suspicion that MCPS is more interested in social experiments than student success.

The Bottom Line

Whether Kaepernick was paid $300,000, $30,000, or nothing at all, the fact remains: Montgomery County schools are cutting deals with a political celebrity while refusing to level with taxpayers about the cost. At best, this is a tone-deaf distraction. At worst, it’s another case of public schools funneling scarce resources into ideological vanity projects while kids fall further behind.

If MCPS wants to restore trust, it can start with three simple steps:

1. Disclose how much was paid to Kaepernick for his appearance.
2. Disclose the full terms of the Lumi Story AI contract.
3. Prove—using actual data—that these “investments” are improving student outcomes.

Until then, parents will be left wondering: is MCPS in the business of teaching kids—or subsidizing Colin Kaepernick’s latest hustle?