Forbes has unveiled its groundbreaking ForbesBLK50 list for 2024, a compilation of the 50 wealthiest Black Americans, celebrating leaders making waves in industries globally. Among these influential figures, three Nigerians have emerged as prominent honorees, recognized for their innovative contributions and business prowess.
This inaugural list not only spotlights wealth but also highlights impact and influence within and beyond the Black community. The initiative seeks to fill a gap left by previous rankings, such as Forbes’ 2009 list of influential Black Americans.
“ForbesBLK was created to go beyond just net worth, offering a broader lens on the achievements and lasting legacies of Black entrepreneurs, innovators, and changemakers,” the publication stated.
Nigerians on the ForbesBLK50 List
Wemimo Abbey: Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Esusu
Raised in Lagos, Nigeria, Wemimo Abbey co-founded Esusu, a fintech platform enabling renters to build credit by reporting rent payments to credit bureaus. Before this venture, Abbey was a mergers and acquisitions consultant at PwC and co-founded a nonprofit and a data analytics startup.
Esusu, based in New York, has transformed credit-building for over 1.8 million Americans across 20,000 properties. The company achieved unicorn status in 2022, securing $130
R2,412.17 million in funding and a valuation of R18 billion.
Tope Awotona: Founder and CEO of Calendly
Tope Awotona, also born in Lagos, relocated to Atlanta at 15. His career path led him from computer science to founding Calendly, an innovative scheduling software. Valued at approximately R41 billion in 2021 by private investors, Calendly has revolutionized appointment scheduling for businesses and individuals worldwide.
Adebayo Ogunlesi: Chairman and Co-Founder of Global Infrastructure Partners
Adebayo Ogunlesi is the Chairman and co-founder of Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), a private equity firm specializing in infrastructure investments. Originally from Nigeria and now a U.S. citizen, Ogunlesi boasts an impressive academic resume, including degrees from Oxford and Harvard. Forbes estimates his net worth at R31.4 billion, highlighting his influence in the global financial sector.
A Celebration of Global Black Excellence
The ForbesBLK50 list is more than a ranking; it’s a recognition of the profound contributions Black individuals make to industries worldwide. By including pioneers like Abbey, Awotona, and Ogunlesi, Forbes shines a spotlight on African talent shaping the global economy.
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