As faith leaders, entrepreneurs, and policymakers navigate the fast-shifting terrain of artificial intelligence, automation, and digital globalization, few figures have leaned into this moment with as much intentionality — or complexity — as Bishop T.D. Jakes. Known to many as a pastor, to others as a media mogul, and increasingly to investors and technologists as an ecosystem builder, Jakes is reasserting his role at the intersection of innovation, equity, and cultural capital.

This is where his ongoing initiative, the Good Soil Forum, enters the chat. The conference, which has convened business owners, technologists, creatives, and investors for years, positions itself as a gathering and a long-term infrastructure. It reflects Jakes’ emphasis on sustainability, access to capital, and the kind of practical knowledge often kept behind institutional gates. What has shifted recently, however, is not the mission — but the moment.

When Technology Hits Close To Home For Jakes

In 2024, Jakes experienced a serious health scare that underscored how deeply technology is embedded in both survival and systems. “If it were not for technology and the grace of God, I wouldn’t be here,” he told AFROTECH™ in an interview.

The surgery was performed using advanced computer-assisted techniques — no incisions, no scars — through a minimally invasive entry point in his wrist. “They unclogged my artery and got my heart pumping again. I was awake the whole time,” he explained.

That experience didn’t just reaffirm his faith. It reframed his sense of urgency. “There was prayer on one side and technology on the other. They [faith and technology] don’t have to fight,” he said. “They can work together.” It was a moment for Jakes to clarify what’s at stake: The same systems that can disrupt economies can also save lives — if harnessed responsibly.

“Technology didn’t just save my life — it’s helping me give life to others.”

Good Soil And The Long Game Of Economic Access

Long before his medical crisis, Jakes had already begun laying the groundwork for Good Soil to become a strategy rooted in impact. The conference includes a $500,000 direct capital award for entrepreneurs. Still, it also centers on the often-overlooked dimensions of business-building: legal structures, tax planning, scalable models, and long-term sustainability.

Good Soil is where Jakes’ expansive vision meets his operational grit. Featuring voices like Oprah Winfrey, Dave Steward (of World Wide Technology), and telecom visionary Strive Masiyiwa, the gathering brings tech, capital, and mentorship under one intentional roof.

For this year’s conference, held June 12–14, in Dallas, TX, participants are encouraged to download the Good Soil XP app, a digital ecosystem. According to Jakes, over 40,000 users are already connected, sharing insights, asking real-time operational questions, and collaborating across sectors.

The emphasis is clear: Ownership requires both access and infrastructure.

The Globalization Of Black Tech Ambition

Even as the conference has a distinctly domestic focus on underserved communities in the U.S., Jakes regularly highlights global tech dynamics — especially in African markets. From lithium production to telecom innovation, he sees the continent’s shift as instructive for Black founders everywhere.

“Technology has made it possible for small businesses to look like major corporations,” he said, pointing to automation and direct-to-consumer channels as key assets for under-resourced entrepreneurs.

Still, he doesn’t ignore the tension. “People aren’t afraid of AI. They’re afraid our laws haven’t caught up.” It’s not the innovation that concerns many, he suggests — it’s the lack of ethical scaffolding. But the opportunity is real because there is a possibility that it creates more jobs than it takes away.

Why Being In The Room Still Matters

This year’s theme, “The Transformation Agenda,” acknowledges the layered nature of learning, growth, and innovation. While much of Good Soil’s community building happens online, Jakes intentionally chose not to rely on streams for the 2025 event. “There’s something powerful about being in the room,” he said. “Some people need conversation, eye contact, and shared energy — not just screens.”

The conference will feature hands-on demonstrations of AI-driven community design and emerging sustainability models. For Jakes, learning must be tactile, especially for those historically locked out of tech-forward spaces.

How Jakes Is Rethinking Equity Without The Acronyms

As diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives continue to be politicized, Jakes distances himself from the buzzwords — but not the core values. “You can outlaw DEI from a sign on a building, but you can’t outlaw the diversity of God’s creation,” he said. “The question isn’t diversity — it’s equity.”

That framing shapes his broader work. According to a previous AFROTECH™ report, Jakes’ real estate firm is developing affordable housing near Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta, GA, with a model that integrates broadband access, environmentally sustainable design, and multigenerational affordability.

For Jakes, the blueprint is clear: Community building starts with access to capital and infrastructure.

What Community Looks Like Now

Jakes is also challenging conventional definitions of community. “It used to be about geography,” he said. “Now it’s about shared values and vision.” In a world increasingly driven by digital connection, the idea of community as proximity is being replaced by community as alignment.

Whether that idea can scale remains an open question. But it’s one Jakes continues pursuing through digital and physical architecture. “We don’t have to choose between humanity and innovation,” he said. “We need both.”

For now, Good Soil is positioning itself as a space where that duality can be explored — on purpose and in practice.