On the side of U.S. Bank at Slauson and Crenshaw, a powerful mural tells a deeper story than what first meets the eye. It features Etha Robinson, the founder of Mrs. Robinson’s Tea Cakes, alongside Nipsey Hussle, the late hip-hop artist and entrepreneur. At first glance, the pairing might seem unexpected—an elder preserving a historic Black culinary tradition alongside a modern-day rap icon known for his investments in real estate, technology, and community development. But a closer look reveals a shared mission: economic empowerment, generational wealth, and a deep commitment to keeping Black history alive.
Mrs. Robinson’s Tea Cakes and Nipsey Hussle’s “The Marathon” philosophy are part of the same legacy—Black entrepreneurship as a tool for self-determination. Hussle often spoke about ownership, financial literacy, and creating opportunities within the Black community. His vision wasn’t just about personal success; it was about uplifting others and ensuring that the wealth generated in Black neighborhoods stayed in Black hands. That same philosophy is deeply embedded in Mrs. Robinson’s Tea Cakes, which preserves the history of tea cakes as a symbol of African American resilience, freedom, and economic independence.
Tea cakes, the official cookie of Juneteenth, were a staple in Black households, a culinary tradition passed down for generations. They are a direct link to the past, much like Nipsey’s investment in his own community was a vision for the future. Through her business, Etha Robinson is not only keeping this history alive but also using it as a vehicle for economic empowerment—offering fundraising opportunities for HBCUs, Black churches, and cultural institutions. This mirrors what Nipsey did by purchasing businesses along Slauson and reinvesting in the same streets that raised him.
The mural at U.S. Bank is more than just an artistic tribute; it is a symbol of intergenerational entrepreneurship. It connects past and present, reminding young people that their history is filled with stories of Black self-reliance, creativity, and resilience. Nipsey’s message to “own your block” aligns with Mrs. Robinson’s mission to “own your history.” Both remind today’s youth that building wealth isn’t just about money—it’s about legacy.
For young entrepreneurs, the lessons are clear: success is a marathon, not a sprint. Whether through music, business, or culinary traditions, Black ownership matters. The same entrepreneurial spirit that fueled Black Wall Street in Tulsa, the self-sustaining communities of the Reconstruction Era, and the civil rights-era businesses that thrived despite segregation, is the same spirit that Mrs. Robinson and Nipsey embodied in their respective lanes.
As young people walk past that mural, they are invited to see themselves in it. Whether they aspire to be artists, business owners, or cultural historians, the message is the same—know your history, invest in your future, and keep the marathon going. The journey of Black economic empowerment didn’t start with Mrs. Robinson’s Tea Cakes, and it won’t end with Nipsey Hussle. But together, their legacies remind us that the race for freedom, ownership, and cultural preservation is one we must continue, one step—and one tea cake—at a time.
