I think to be inspired by Nipsey’s Hussle’s legacy is not only to be a fan of the music, but receptive to his talk around the marathon as something more substantial – as if the metaphor was never content with itself as metaphor. His message was tangible practice, both in its accessibility and in its possibility. We’re close. We’re already there. We’re just getting started. We’re on this victory lap. At the same time, all of these could hold true.
In 2019, in my first year as an adjunct English professor at Santa Monica College, TMC’s own Jorge Peniche generously invited my students and me to tour his photography collection at the LA Athletic Club. For me, this gesture was only confirmation of Nipsey's larger team in full practice of his message and his beliefs – of cultivating a community of thinkers by calling them into their own journey as something bigger than us, but always conceivable in the way we talk about getting there.
Today, I continue to manifest these gestures in my everyday work. As a community activist and non-profit grant writer in LA's Eastside - and in coalition with partners all throughout Los Angeles County - community power and fundraising have become my left and right foot. It is, just as it was when I was teaching writing, utilizing language as a way to uplift voices and bring visibility and material support to LA’s most marginalized communities.
It is an incredible honor to run for the Neighborhood Nip Foundation team because it was Nipsey’s language of the marathon that inspired me to actuate the metaphor in my day-to-day. To run the good race and commit to seeing your community thrive. All of this in the spirit of co-authoring visions within the streets themselves, by touching road and being amongst the people every day – like running allows you to do.
All of this, in the spirit of literalizing your metaphors.
All of this, in the spirit of practicing what you preach–
In a marathon without end.
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Full proceeds of the team support the foundation’s efforts to unite, empower, and uplift our local communities. The funds being raised are being used to support the rebirth of The Nipsey Hussle Plaza which is home to The Neighborhood Nip Foundation’s headquarters. Breathing new life into the location and following Hussle's passion for creating a program that aids and encourages youth to reach their highest potential, the renovated site will serve as a massive community center for elementary through high school level students. Led by staff members of the foundation and additional volunteers from the community, programming will range from academic studies to music and studio-specific access. Additionally, the plaza will offer exclusive access to The Marathon Store, which will not be open to the public, as well as free haircuts at Steve's Barbershop named after Hussle's childhood friend Stephen “Fatts” Donaldson.
