Dope Thinkers Only 2025: Five Defining Moments That Made History at Grambling State

When the Dope Thinkers Only Conference (DTO) landed at Grambling State University on September 11–12, 2025, it wasn’t just another stop on the endless carousel of conferences. It was a cultural moment. It was a space where marketing, communication, entrepreneurship, leadership, and culture itself collided on an HBCU campus steeped in legacy.

Hosted by Kulur Group, the inaugural DTOC was designed as the destination for industry leaders and the next generation of dope thinkers to connect. Over 50 speakers, sponsors ranging from The Recording Academy’s Black Music Collective+ to Chase, and Grambling’s own community came together to craft something bigger than programming: a movement.

The weekend gave us more than panels and soundbites. It gave us stories that spoke to resilience, culture, and connection. Here are the five defining moments that will forever mark the first chapter of DTO.

The Pivot

No conference can predict everything, and the DTOC faced the unthinkable. Just 24 hours before Day 2, news broke of the murder of Charlie Kirk and subsequent violent attacks targeting HBCU campuses. Though Grambling State wasn’t an intended target, university leadership, in the interest of safety, made the difficult decision to shut down campus.

For many events, this would have spelled cancellation. But for Kulur Group, it was a test of purpose. Within a single day, the entire second half of DTO was reimagined as a virtual experience. Panelists, moderators, and attendees pivoted from auditoriums to digital screens without missing a beat.

This moment wasn’t just about crisis management. It embodied what Dope Thinkers Only stands for: resilience, innovation, and the refusal to let disruption silence dialogue. While the mood was heavy, the pivot proved that the conference wasn’t defined by a venue, but rather defined by the exchange of ideas, and those ideas couldn’t be stopped.

The Recording Academy’s $10K Gift

If the pivot showed resilience, this moment revealed the power of investment. During A Conversation With The Recording Academy, presented by the Black Music Collective+, something special happened.

In front of students, alumni, and industry leaders, the Recording Academy announced a $10,000 donation to Grambling State’s Music Department. While framed as a contribution, the energy in the room made it feel more like a promise — a commitment to uplift the next generation of artists, producers, and thinkers.

It wasn’t just about the money. It was about what the gift symbolized: a major cultural institution affirming the value of HBCUs, of Black creativity, and of building pipelines that extend far beyond industry boardrooms.

For Grambling students, many of whom aspire to careers in music and entertainment, it was a reminder that their voices matter — and that the world is watching.

The Grambling Community

The DTOC could have been a conference anywhere. But placing it at Grambling State University gave the experience roots. Even when the Yard Party was cancelled due to the campus shutdown, Grambling’s community remained the heartbeat of the event.

The pride was palpable. Alumni from the Mass Communication program — including Kulur Group CEO Nicholas Love and Tina Davis, now President of EMPIRE — returned “home” to pour back into students. Their presence wasn’t just symbolic; it was a full-circle moment, showing students what’s possible when dope thinkers leave Grambling and go on to disrupt global industries.

Even virtually, the community energy carried. Networking continued, panels went on, and Grambling students engaged. The message was clear: DTO isn’t parachuting in and out — it’s rooted in HBCU culture.

Panel Power

However, the conference’s magic was in its voices and the panels delivered.

• “The Art of Disruption” with Tina Davis, moderated by Nicholas Love, was a highlight. Davis traced her journey from being the first woman to lead A&R at Def Jam to her current role as President of EMPIRE. Her message: disruption isn’t chaos, it’s courage and sometimes, it’s the only way forward.
  

• Kris Wright brought precision with “What Authenticity Is and Isn’t.” In an era where brands chase “authenticity” like a buzzword, Wright cut through the noise. His reminder? True authenticity is earned, not marketed.
  

• Luke Cooper commanded attention in both his keynote and fireside chat. A seasoned entrepreneur and investor, he broke down what it means to lead with vision in uncertain times and why embracing risk is a non-negotiable for true builders.
  

• Finally, “A Conversation With The Recording Academy” with Aniesia Williams (moderator), Torae, and J. Ivy merged artistry and impact. J. Ivy’s poetic cadence and Torae’s grounded industry insights made the panel one of the weekend’s most memorable

Together, these sessions created a mosaic: disruption, authenticity, leadership, and artistry. Each voice added another brushstroke to the picture of what it means to be a dope thinker.

The Fish Fry

Lastly, not every defining moment happened on stage. For many, the Fish Fry, an intimate gathering between Kulur Group, panelists, and sponsors, was the most important part of the weekend.

Over plates of (hear me loud and clear: REALLY GOOD) fried fish, conversations flowed freely. Ideas were exchanged not as presentations, but as stories. Sponsors connected with panelists, panelists connected with each other, and Kulur Group deepened relationships that will shape DTO’s future.

The symbolism wasn’t lost. At HBCUs, the fish fry isn’t just a meal. It’s community, it’s tradition, it’s connection. And in that space, DTO reminded everyone that some of the best ideas don’t happen under stage lights. They happen over shared meals and authentic conversation. Or, as one attendee put it: “It was ideas over fish plates.”

Final Thoughts: More Than a Conference

The inaugural Dope Thinkers Only Conference wasn’t perfect. No first-time event ever is. But it was powerful. It faced adversity and didn’t crumble. It planted seeds of investment in future generations. It celebrated community, elevated powerful voices, and created space for connection in ways both formal and informal.

At its core, DTO 2025 proved one thing: this isn’t just a conference. It’s a movement. And movements don’t end when the lights go off — they ripple outward. As Grambling State students, alumni, and industry leaders left (or logged off), one thought lingered: this was just the beginning.

DTO 2026 isn’t a question. It’s a promise.