Before the untimely death of rap legend and entrepreneur, Nipsey Hussle, he and longtime business partner, David Gross set out to launch their economic empowerment initiative, Our Opportunity. In efforts to keep Hussle’s legacy and vision alive, Gross is continuing to carry out the duo’s vision.
In 2019, The LA Times reported Hussle’s vision for Our Opportunity was centered around fighting gentrification by using federal tax codes called opportunity zones to rebuild Black communities in his hometown of South L.A. and across the nation. Gross described opportunity zones to Complex, as “the biggest tax gift ever written into a new tax code.” He went on to explain when investing in opportunity zones located in inner city areas the investor is legally exempt from paying capital gains taxes on the real estate for two years.
Gross launched the Investor Challenge to spread the word about Our Opportunity. The challenge’s step by step instruction encourages participants to open investment accounts and aims to open 1,000 new accounts. Gross told Complex the challenge has seen 450 new accounts open and the number is still climbing.
Gross admits to Complex that the loss of his partner still plagues the Our Opportunity team.
“But everyone is pushing themselves to return to normalcy in the context of things we were doing with him. It’s for his legacy or on par for his legacy. So it’s been a slow process,” Gross said.
When asked what’s next for Our Opportunity Gross told Complex the nonprofit is working with state and local governments, corporations, and individuals to fund the initiative at the grassroots level and its investment curriculum.
