The loss of Nipsey Hussle was felt greatly by entertainers and fans alike. But for folks looking for examples of reinvestment in underserved communities, Hussle's murder was foundation-shaking. T.I. said that it was like the Avengers losing Iron Man among entertainers who had committed to invest in their own neighborhoods.
T.I. was on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. on May 22, stumping for the success of so-called "opportunity zones" that encourage investment in poor neighborhoods. He spoke of Hussle's entrepreneurship at a press conference touting the program's successes.
“Everybody knows that Nipsey was pretty much the founder of the idea to bring everyone together who, you know, may individually be able to do great things and make a significant impact on their own in their communities,” he said. “But for us to come together, we can impact so, so many more communities and spread our efforts so much wider.”
Following the team-founding metaphor, T.I. looked toward the character who kickstarted the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe. He noted that Hussle was the one who told him about the program to “benefit and revitalize the underserved areas of society that we all come from.”
“We’re like the ‘Avengers’ of investment,” he said, adding that Hussle's death was “like losing Iron Man.”
T.I. was on the Hill alongside Charlamagne Tha God and legislators to discuss the provision in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that provides incentives for new businesses in disadvantaged areas. He advocated for the program's extension—currently being considered in the Senate—and talked about the ways in which investors can utilize it.
