ATLANTA — Atlanta hip-hop icons, philanthropists, entrepreneurs, and community leaders T.I.­­, and Killer Mike joined an ensemble cast of high-profile figures during the Future of Black Culture and Self-Determination panel at the 10th annual Hope Global Forum in Atlanta on Wednesday.

Philanthropist and entrepreneur John Hope Bryant is the CEO Operation Hope, and founder of the forum which attracts thousands annually. Bryant co-hosted the forum with Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens and Ambassador Andrew Young at the Signia Hotel.

Killer Mike served as the panel host alongside T.I., popular journalist and Host of First Take on ESPN Stephen A. Smith, the President and CEO of BET Media Group Scott M. Mills, and popular actor, director and philanthropist Boris Kodjoe.

Killer Mike, whose real name is Michael Render, is a well-respected producer, writer, and influential artist. He owns multiple businesses in Atlanta, including his barbershop “The SWAG Shop.”

The prominent thought leaders engaged in an educational, uplifting, and insightful

conversation about community, culture, business, ownership, creating your own narratives, and the importance of Atlanta to the culture.

Killer Mike began by asking the panelists how they should we prioritize maintaining ownership and control of influence in media, music, and other industries.

“First, we must believe in each other, and we must believe in ourselves because we see ourselves in each other,” T.I. said. “In that belief comes investment. We can take come to each other in our own communities and invest in things that would allow equity and ownership that we can share with each other.”

Kodjoe said it is vital to begin collaborating and helping each other more.

“It’s up to us to do what Killer Mike said, ‘to continue to plot, plan strategize, organize, and immobilize.’ We’ve been plotting and planning for a while now,” said Kodjoe. “I think it is time for us to really focus on the mobilizing part. The creating synergy and partnership part. We have to practice having conversations with each other and asking for help. We have to understand that the power that we have lies in the volume, in us collectively.”

“Black culture is arguably one of the single most valuable assets that we have in the Black community,” Mills said. “If you understand the role that Black culture has had in creating Black wealth in this country, it is extraordinary. “We understand that the culture is anchored in ownership.”

Killer Mike agreed and says “Black culture has been the fuel that put this country on the forefront for many things.”

Killer Mike also asked T.I. what led him to understand the importance of ownership and not just participation.

“Different things led me to understand the importance of ownership in different facets of businesses,” T.I. said. “I did it out of sheer necessity. I understood ownership in music because when I said I wanted to be a rapper, my uncle said I needed to go learn everything there is about what is valuable about the music industry.”

He owns the film/TV production company Grand Hustle Films.

T.I. says when he was a kid, he bought a book by Donald Passman titled, “All You Need to Know About the Music Business” and it helped him understand the industry.

Killer Mike told the crowd people thought T.I. was “crazy” when he said he was going to self-finance and direct his own films.

“I got tired of waiting for other people. I said I was going to make films that I produce, I finance, I direct telling stories that I want to tell without asking anyone for permission,” he said to loud applause. “It started with one, and we’ve produced three films so far. I intend to produce more.”

T.I. made his directorial debut in 2023 with the movie “Da Partments,” and has since worked on writing, producing and directing more movies. He also starred in multiple films including “ATL,” “Takers,” “American Gangster,” and more.

“I got a stubborn homie who called himself the King of the South over 20 years ago,” Killer Mike jokingly said to a loud rupture of applause and laughter. “A lot of rappers got mad. But then, TIP went out and proved it.”

Killer Mike told T.I., “you are not only one of the absolute greatest rappers the South has ever produced, but you’ve also been one of the most dominant businessmen created out of the rap community in this city.”

In early 2024, Killer Mike won three Grammy Awards for Best Rap Album for his album “Michael,” Best Rap Song and Performance for “SCIENTISTS AND ENGINEERS.” He also won a Grammy Award with Outkast for the hit song “The Whole World” in 2003.

T.I. has sold millions of records, released 11 hit albums on Billboard including multiple chart-topping albums. His last album titled, “The Libra: The Legend Is Back Running Atlanta” was released in 2020.

T.I. has also released many hits, features, and underground songs including “24′s”, “Bring Em Out,” “In Da A,” “Rubber Band Man,” “You Don’t Know Me,” “What You Know,” “Big Things Poppin,” “Swagga Like Us,” “Top Back,” “About The Money,” “Step,” “We In This,” “Family Connect,” “About the Money,” “No Mediocre,” “My Potna,” and more.

In addition to his iconic music career, T.I. is also a prominent business owner with popular clothing lines Akoo, Hustle Gang, a real estate holdings company, organizations Us or Else and Harris Community Works.

In 2018, he opened the world renown Trap Music Museum located at 630 Travis St. The Trap Music Museum. It is located next door to his popular restaurant Trap City Cafe, which is co-owned by Mike Upscale and opened in 2022.

In November 2023, T.I. opened an affordable housing complex in Atlanta called Intrada Westside. Last month, T.I. and Killer Mike celebrated the grand reopening of Bankhead Seafood, located on Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway in Atlanta.

The panelists also talked about the importance of Atlanta to Black culture.

“In my mind, Atlanta should be the capitol of the Black world. Because the opportunity is here,” Killer Mike concluded. “Not because we’re better or we have it all figured out. We have a more than 120 year history of succeeding on multiple fronts.”

“When you talk about Atlanta being the capitol, I would say to you respectfully to think bigger,” Smith said. “If everything is condensed in one small area in my eyes, that makes you a stationary target. What helped make Atlanta what it is right now, it was not just the people here, it was Atlanta attracting an abundance of people here from everywhere.”

“I will say this jokingly, but with a very strong hint of seriousness, spend your money, but keep your a** where it’s at because we’re full,” T.I. concluded to a loud cheer of laughter and applause.

For more information on Operation Hope, click here.

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