T.D. SNAKES...
THE BUSINESS OF KEEPING BLACK FOLKS OPPRESSED!
There he is, larger than life.
His toothy grin, smooth words, and lavish lifestyle have made him one of the most recognizable pastors in America. But behind the holy rhetoric, behind the million-dollar suits, behind the megachurch empire—what is T.D. Jakes really selling?
That’s exactly what my latest illustration, T.D. Snakes, seeks to expose.
In this piece, I took the face of T.D. Jakes, exaggerating his most recognizable features—his wide, theatrical expressions, his prominent gap-toothed smile, and the slicked-back image that has turned him into a religious celebrity rather than a servant of God. But the most damning element of this illustration is the quote that sits boldly across the image:
"I got rich keeping dumb Black folks oppressed by depositing their Jesus money into the bank of white supremacy."
Now, I know some folks will get mad. "You can’t say that about a man of God!" But let’s be real—is he truly a man of God, or is he a businessman disguised as a preacher?
Let’s break it all down.
From Humble Beginnings to Mega Millions
T.D. Jakes, born Thomas Dexter Jakes Sr. in 1957, didn’t start with wealth. He grew up in West Virginia and entered the ministry in the late 1970s. But his big break came when he founded The Potter’s House, a Dallas-based megachurch that now boasts over 30,000 members.
For years, Jakes built his brand by selling hope—not for free, of course. He preached a prosperity gospel that taught his followers that faith and financial success go hand in hand. But let’s be clear about what that really meant:
He gets rich. They stay broke.
He flies private. They take the bus.
He lives in mansions. They struggle to pay rent.
While his followers were emptying their wallets in the name of Jesus, T.D. Jakes was stacking his bank account, collecting millions from book sales, conference fees, and tax-free church donations.
But here’s the kicker—his money doesn’t circulate back into the Black community. Instead, it’s funneled into the same white-owned institutions that have historically worked to keep Black people economically powerless.
That’s why the quote in my illustration hits so hard. If Jesus flipped tables in the temple over money-changers exploiting the people, what do you think he’d do to T.D. Jakes?
The Hollywood Connections: Oprah, Tyler Perry, and Diddy
Jakes’ rise to superstardom didn’t happen in the pulpit alone. He built relationships with powerful figures in entertainment, and those connections have only made him richer and more untouchable.
Oprah Winfrey: The Corporate Gatekeeper
It’s no surprise that Oprah, a master of branding and image control, embraced T.D. Jakes. She gave him the mainstream stamp of approval, featuring him on her network and pushing his books.
But here’s what’s interesting—Oprah has long been accused of siding with white elites and pushing spiritual leaders who pacify Black people rather than empower them. T.D. Jakes fits that role perfectly. He keeps people emotionally invested in religion while steering them away from true economic and political empowerment.
Tyler Perry: The Lay-Hands Scandal
One of the strangest moments in modern church history was when Tyler Perry "laid hands" on T.D. Jakes during a church service. The scene was pure theatrics—Perry, a Hollywood billionaire, dramatically "anointed" Jakes on stage while the congregation cheered.
But let’s ask the real question—why is a Hollywood mogul, whose career was built on emasculating Black men through the Madea franchise, suddenly a spiritual leader?
Theatrics. Performance. A scripted show to maintain power and influence over the masses.
Diddy: The Billionaire’s Shadow
T.D. Jakes’ association with Sean “Diddy” Combs is perhaps the most questionable of them all. Diddy, who has been linked to countless scandals, exploitative business dealings, and recently resurfaced abuse allegations, has positioned himself as a power player in both hip-hop and Black business circles.
But what business does a self-proclaimed pastor have with a man whose lifestyle revolves around excess, materialism, and exploitation?
Where there’s smoke, there’s fire. And where there’s money, there’s often compromise.
The Megachurch Hustle: Jesus as a Business Model
T.D. Jakes once infamously said:
“Jesus is a business.”
Read that again.
Not a savior. Not a spiritual guide. A business.
That statement alone should tell you everything you need to know. Because in his world, faith isn’t about salvation—it’s about profit margins.
Consider these facts:
Jakes lives in a multi-million-dollar mansion in Fort Worth, Texas.
He drives luxury cars and owns a private jet.
His church pulls in millions in tax-free revenue every year.
Meanwhile, his followers struggle. They pray for financial blessings while Jakes counts their donations in tax-free bank accounts.
So let me ask you this—who is truly benefitting from his ministry?
The Real Message Behind T.D. Snakes
This illustration isn’t just about exposing one man—it’s about exposing a system.
A system where Black pastors get rich selling false hope while keeping their followers pacified.
A system where Black churches collect billions but invest nothing into Black economic independence.
A system where the greatest business model isn’t faith—it’s control.
And let’s be clear—I’m not attacking religion itself. There are many genuine pastors who serve their communities. But Jakes? He serves himself.
That’s why the image is so bold. That’s why the quote stings. Because when you strip away the theatrics, the luxury suits, the smooth-talking sermons—what’s left?
Just another snake in the garden, hissing lies to the people while devouring their wealth.
Final Thoughts: It’s Time to Wake Up
T.D. Jakes, like so many megachurch pastors, thrives on ignorance. His wealth depends on keeping his followers spiritually entertained but economically powerless.
So the real question isn’t just about him—it’s about us.
When will we stop funding our own oppression?
When will we stop worshipping false idols and start reclaiming real power?
When will we stop being sheep and start being lions?
The choice is ours.
Until then, T.D. Snakes will keep hissing, keep smiling, and keep collecting those Jesus dollars—straight from your pocket into the bank of white supremacy.