Power, Presence & Purpose: Good Soil Forum Cultivates Legacy in Dallas
Dallas, TX — June 12–13, 2025
When Chairman T.D. Jakes stepped onto the McDermott Performance Hall stage to welcome Oprah Winfrey, the atmosphere shifted. The 2025 Good Soil Forum, presented by Wells Fargo, kicked off with intention, influence, and inspiration — but more than that, it offered access.
Day 1 set the tone: this wasn't just about motivation — it was about movement. Oprah’s fireside chat with Chairman Jakes was electric, mixing wisdom and spiritual wealth with entrepreneurial discipline. Their exchange affirmed why Good Soil is more than a conference — it’s where seeds of generational impact are sown.
Jerry Lorenzo
Evening Fireside Chat — Jerry Lorenzo
The energy shifted as designer and Fear of God founder Jerry Lorenzo took the stage for a powerful fireside conversation. With signature calm and clarity, he unpacked the delicate dance between faith, fashion, and fearless entrepreneurship. Lorenzo spoke candidly about navigating luxury spaces while staying rooted in cultural authenticity, and challenged creatives to build from conviction—not trends. His presence was a reminder that streetwear isn’t just about clothes—it’s about character, calling, and culture.
“You can’t market legacy — you live it,” he said, leaving the audience reflecting on how purpose drives brand power.
But the real gems? They were dropped in the breakout rooms.
Linda Clemons
Linda Clemons — Body Language = Bank
In her session on body language and sales negotiation, Linda Clemons didn’t just teach how to speak — she showed how to sell with silence. “Your body talks before you do,” she said, coaching attendees to master posture, eye contact, and energy in high-stakes deals.
“Be Seen, Be Heard” – Media as Leverage
In a world where press is power, DeDe McGuire, Nicky Sparrow, and Letisha Bereola taught entrepreneurs how to show up in media spaces with strategy, not just visibility. Think press kits, narratives, and knowing how to move the room before your article drops.
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Day 2 — From Capital to Culture
June 13 kept the momentum alive, shifting from inspiration to implementation. While private investor meetings and partner showcases buzzed throughout the day, attendees engaged in next-level conversations about scaling, investing, and strategic collaboration.
Workshops explored everything from bankability for Black-owned businesses to AI in branding, but the heartbeat was community — a curated culture of builders, doers, and funders all in one place.
“Brand Like a Boss” – Storytelling That Sells
Lanny Smith, Janina Lundy, Martin Ekechukwu, and Enitan Bereola laid out blueprints for brand storytelling that transcends the product. “You’re not selling goods,” Smith said, “you’re selling belief.”
Q & A w/ Wallstreet Trapper
You already know Trapper came with the bars:
“Your last name is a business — how are you investing in it?”
He broke down mindset, money, and market literacy in a way only someone who lived both the trap and the trade floor could.
One founder told us, “It’s the first time I’ve been in a room where people talk equity and live it.”
Pinky Cole Hayes
Pinky Cole Hayes, ever the energizer, kept the crowd lifted, while surprise guests and open networking gave fresh entrepreneurs direct access to seven-figure minds.
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The Takeaway: This Is the Blueprint
The Good Soil Movement doesn’t do performative panels — they deliver platforms. With a goal to help 1 million entrepreneurs reach $1 million in revenue, this gathering isn’t just about funding, it’s about fertile ground.
Here, we don’t just talk about building tables. We teach how to own the land the table sits on.
And 2LOUD was front and center.
