In the Forbes’ prestigious list of the richest Americans, David Steward was ranked the wealthiest Black person in America.
The list, which was released in early October, named the tech entrepreneur as the richest black person in America with a net worth of $11.4 billion.
The Missouri-based icon rose from $7.6 billion barely a year ago to his current net worth, a testament of the remarkable success of his multinational technology company, World Wide Technologies (WWT).
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One of only four black individuals to make the list
Mr Steward’s inclusion in the Forbes list was a significant accomplishment, but he wasn’t the only black person on the list.
Black billionaires that featured on Forbes list include Robert Smith, Palantir co-founder Alexander Karp, who debuted with a net worth of $3.6 billion, and legendary basketball icon, Michael Jordan, boasting a networth of approximately $3.5 billion.
David Steward’s story
David Steward’s journey to greatness is reminiscent of a typical grass to grace story.
He was born in 1951 in Chicago, Illinois and grew up in a small, segregated town in Missouri. His family struggled financially, and Mr Steward often recounts the hard work his parents put in so their family could survive.
This early brush with poverty moulded his character and fuelled his determination to be successful.
Under his leadership, WWT became a global powerhouse in the IT industry, hiring over 8,000 employees and netting billions in annual revenue. Some of their biggest clients are Boeing, AT & T, and the U.S. government.
This had not always been the case as WWT started as a small tech firm with just a few number of employees.
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Education and contribution to society
Mr Steward earned a business degree from the Central Missouri State University and held many sales positions in organisations like the Federal Express (FedEx).
He, however, suffered discrimination and encountered many challenges in the corporate environment and this gave him the boost he needed to start his own company, the WWT.
His discrimination encounters propelled him to become a passionate advocate of inclusion and diversity in the workspace, stressing the need to create more opportunities for black people, particularly for individuals in the tech industry.
Having established the David and Thelma Steward Family Foundation, the techpreneur and his wife provide economic and educational opportunities for underserved communities.
The foundation also makes donations to charity groups that support minority education and entrepreneurship.
Continuing his legacy
Mr Steward shares two children with his wife, Thelma.
According to tech mogul, his family has been a great system of support throughout his entrepreneurial journey.