Nipsey Hussle-Inspired Vegan Restaurant Opening In LA

Compton, California, is set to get a Nipsey Hussle-inspired vegan restaurant.

Vegan entrepreneur Roland Jackson founded the experiential health and education center—called Planet Health Compton. NBA star and fellow vegan John Salley co-founded the center.

Jackson told LA Style Magazine he went vegan in 2017 after suffering a severe car accident. “The accident put me in a debilitating state. I was no longer able to do the things I was accustomed to doing, such as hiking swimming, and regular day-to-day activities,” he explained.

He continued: “As a result of the injuries that I sustained, the changes in my lifestyle all led me to explore a vegan diet.”

Jackson says he created Planet Health Compton in order to allow “people of all ages to coexist and network with each other while being able to enjoy a healthy meal.”

Making Healthy, Vegan Foods Accessible

Jackson says living in a food desert made it difficult for him to find suitable vegan options.

“I also realized that there was a deficit in clothing brands that represent me and other vegan minorities such as myself,” he said. In addition to the restaurant, the establishment will also feature a vegan market, a wellness and beauty shop, a clothing store, and a juice bar.

A number of legendary figures, including the late Nipsey Hussle, inspired Jackson to create the restaurant. Hussle, an activist and rapper, was fatally shot outside of his Los Angeles clothing store, Marathon, in 2019. His image will feature on a wall mural in the restaurant.

Food Deserts

Food deserts are geographic areas that offer residents minimal access to healthy, affordable foods.

The Food Empowerment Project reports that minority communities generally have the most food deserts. The nonprofit organization works to create a more sustainable food system by teaching people about how their food choices impact their health, animals, and the planet.

Low-income areas where people do not have access to cars may also have food deserts. Studies show wealthier areas typically have three times as many supermarkets—and thus access to healthier foods—than low-income areas.

Jackson says the new center will help bridge this gap by bringing healthy, vegan options to the area. Due to COVID-19, he was forced to postpone the center’s grand opening, which was originally scheduled for the spring. The center is now set to open on July 4.