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Home • Money & Career

T.D. Jakes Launches Global Summit To Inspire More Black People To Own Businesses

The immersive event will provide tangible resources for aspiring entrepreneurs and feature talks with Angela Yee, Timbaland and Revolt's Detavio Samuels.
T.D. Jakes Launches Global Summit To Inspire More Black People To Own Businesses
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – DECEMBER 13: Bishop T.D. Jakes on stage during the 9th Annual HOPE Global Forums at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta on December 13, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Derek White/Getty Images for Operation HOPE, Inc.)
By Jasmine Browley · Updated April 24, 2023

Bishop T.D. Jakes is a faith leader, but he’s also a self-professed businessman who knows the power of ownership. Now, he’s spreading the gospel of entrepreneurship within the Black community in a huge way.

His company T.D. Jakes Enterprises announced its launch of an immersive leadership event on May 3 in Orlando, Fla, which will serve as a platform and clearing house for business leaders, influencers, and would-be entrepreneurs to inspire and proliferate opportunities for scaled black entrepreneurs and small businesses in diverse communities, according to a news release shared with ESSENCE.

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“We see Good Soil as a movement to cultivate the next generation of business leaders,” said Michael Phillips, chief operations officer of T.D. Jakes Enterprises in the realease. “This convening brings together culture shifters who are committed to connecting ideas to actions in our communities. Good Soil is more than inspiration – it’s taking action to impact, grow and scale minority owned businesses through a supportive ecosystem that will drive financial inclusion and achieve generational wealth building for our communities.”

Jakes will keynote and Hill Harper will serve as the event emcee with singer/songwriter KEM opening the day with a performance. Robert Glasper will close out the day with a performance as well. The event will also include fireside chats and breakout sessions featuring:

Angela Yee, media personality

Timbaland, singer/songwriter/producer

Enitan Bereola, FLOURYSH

Dr. Marcus Collins, Wieden + Kennedy

Maya Hicks, Target

Danielle O’Bannon, Goldman Sachs

Ambassador Ron Kirk, Former United States Trade Representative

Danyel Surrency Jones, Amazon Black Business Accelerator

Detavio Samuels, REVOLT

Sharde Marchewski, Wayfair

The event is in partnership with the Stand Together Foundation, and will be the first experiential initiative under the Good Soil Movement banner, an ongoing program to catalyze and support diverse business owners via a free, private app and a year-round schedule of live and virtual events to provide tools, resources and thought leaders.

“Stand Together Foundation works alongside our partners to empower people to realize their full potential,” said Evan Feinberg, executive director of Stand Together Foundation

“Fueling increased entrepreneurship not only improves live but inspires transformation of entire communities. We are proud to partner with T.D. Jakes Enterprises and the Good Soil Movement to lift up Black entrepreneurs across America.”