Two months later, fans are still reeling after the murder of rapper and activist Nipsey Hussle. As the birthplace of the prolific musician and entrepreneur, the city of Los Angeles was especially devastated by this loss. Thankfully, two local fans are committed to passing the baton and keeping Nipsey’s marathon going by launching the Nipsey Hussle Book Club, an LA-based discussion group that plans to read the books that were most influential to the community organizer, artist, and avid reader.

The Nipsey Hussle Book Club is the brainchild of @spiriutalhomegirl and @westlajoe, who dedicate their respective platforms to uplifting the Black community and challenging social norms. The group’s first meeting was held in May at Harun Coffee, a Black-owned cafe in Leimert Park that Nipsey promoted upon its opening in summer 2018. The group started with The Way of the Superior Man by David Deida, which Nipsey mentioned in a Breakfast Club interview was given to him by fiancee Lauren London. He described it as a book, “for powerful men and how to deal with your power.”

Next up for the book club is The Spook Who Sat By The Door by Sam Greenlee, a classic piece of Black literature which Nipsey mentioned on the song “Blue Laces 2” and reportedly had plans of naming his last album after. LA locals who are interested in attending the next book club gathering will have to speed read the novel, as the group’s next meeting is coming up quickly on Sunday, June 9. It will once again be held at Harun Coffee. The book club is free to attend. Click here for more information on their next meeting.

For those who aren’t local but still want to join the marathon, the Nipsey Hussle Book Club offers to help others get their own branches started and promote their meetings. Visit their Instagram page for more information.