CityView Magazine

giving Dreamville, Fayetteville ,, J. Cole's foundation is a stop on the way to success for area youth T BY Miriam Landru eachers always said the same thing when Jermaine was in school…'Great kid, makes all A's…talks too much,'" recalled Kay Cole, mother of Fayetteville native and successful musical artist, J. Cole. Kay laughed when she relayed to me that she would just nod her head to the teacher. In actuality, she knew her son's outgoing nature would lead to his success and she never attempted to stifle it. These days, J. Cole is known as one of the most successful artists in his industry, having received numerous award nominations including a "Best New Artist" nod at the 2012 Grammy Awards. His sophomore album, Born Sinner, dropped this past June and beat out Kanye West's new record that debuted the same day. Despite his continued success and fame in the music business, J. Cole maintains a humble and respectful demeanor which is witnessed by many on his visits back to town working with his non-profit, The Dreamville Foundation. Cole established the foundation in October 2011 as a way to "give back" to the community he grew up in, whether it be through back-to-school supply giveaways, hosting summer camps or creating a book club for at-risk high schoolaged youth. "Kids are so important to him. He wants to inspire children and let them know the potential that's in them," stressed Kay. One way Cole is reaching out to the community is via his book club based at Westover High School. For the past year, participants in the Dreamville Reading Club have read and discussed numerous novels. It started out being a boys club, but the girls of Westover wanted in on the action. "We had a large percentage of the girls express, 'Well what about us?'" shared Thomas Benson, Westover's principal. The books are chosen and tailored for the boys and girls based on what will appeal to them. J. Cole reads the books along with the students and if he's not in town, he always "Skypes" into the club meetings. This fall, the students will kick off their year by reading popular novel Five People You Meet in Heaven, by Mitch Albom. "It's all about the people you meet in life and how you affect them and don't even know it," shared Toni Golding, the school's literacy coach. Bobby Pickett is enthusiastic about the book club and is excited about his last year of involvement. "Every book relates to Dreamville and being something and making something out of your life," he expressed. It has given Bobby the "extra push" to attend college. He is looking at pursuing a degree in Criminal Justice at UNC-Pembroke and Elizabeth City State University. Like most kids in Dreamville, he sees J.Cole as just "one of the guys," and admires him because of his commitment to him and his peers. "It shows that he cares about Fayetteville. Most rappers just talk about money, cars, clothes… he raps about hard times as a kid, embracing your flaws…" Bobby added, "He just keeps coming back and helping kids. It means a lot." Cumberland County Juvenile Court Judge, Toni King has seen the changes in the children she sees in the courtroom on a regular basis. Former teen gang members have left their gangs because of Dreamville. Grades are also on the rise. "They've learned that reading is fundamental and enjoyable through J. Cole's influence," she said. Judge King also recognized how people in society can view hip-hop artists and you have to "strip that away." She conveyed, "Maybe his CityViewNC.com | 23

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