Forbes has announced its 2024 ForbesBLK 50 list, celebrating the wealth, innovation, and influence of Black leaders across diverse industries.
This year’s list is a reimagined version of Forbes’ 2009 Wealthiest Black Americans compilation, which featured icons like Oprah Winfrey and Michael Jordan.
While net worth remains a crucial factor, the updated list also highlights the honorees’ contributions to societal progress and industry transformation.
Among the honorees are three Nigerians whose groundbreaking achievements have earned them global acclaim: Adebayo Ogunlesi, Tope Awotona, and Wemimo Abbey.
Their accomplishments reflect a deep commitment to innovation and impact.
This new ForbesBLK 50 list captures a broader perspective of success.
It doesn’t stop at financial metrics but instead celebrates visionaries who use their platforms to drive change and uplift communities.
The list showcases leaders who are breaking boundaries in infrastructure, technology, and financial inclusion.
Adebayo Ogunlesi, with a net worth of $1.7 billion, is a towering figure in global infrastructure investment.
As chairman and co-founder of Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), Ogunlesi led the firm through a transformative $12.5 billion acquisition by BlackRock this year.
Beyond his financial accomplishments, Ogunlesi’s leadership continues to shape the future of private equity, with his firm managing assets that span airports, seaports, and energy infrastructure worldwide.
Tope Awotona, the founder and CEO of Calendly, a scheduling platform valued at over $3 billion, revolutionized the way people organize their time.
Beyond simplifying scheduling, his journey highlights resilience, as he overcame personal loss and limited resources to build one of the most widely used productivity tools globally.
Today, Calendly serves over 10 million users, from small businesses to Fortune 500 companies.
Wemimo Abbey co-founded Esusu to address financial inequities, offering a solution that helps underserved communities build credit by reporting rent payments.
With a valuation exceeding $1 billion, Esusu has become a game-changer for millions of households.
Abbey’s leadership has attracted major partnerships, including Goldman Sachs and Freddie Mac, ensuring that more people can access financial systems that were previously out of reach. Even with his age, he made the list.
The list also recognizes the broader influence of Black leaders in shaping industries and creating opportunities.
Ogunlesi’s pivotal role in global infrastructure management demonstrates how investments can fuel economic growth and modernize critical systems.
Awotona’s Calendly redefined a previously overlooked space in productivity tools, transforming everyday interactions into seamless experiences.
Meanwhile, Abbey’s work with Esusu directly addresses economic disparities, building pathways for financial independence.
The inclusion of these three trailblazers highlights a growing global recognition of African excellence.
Beyond their industries, their work serves as an inspiration, proving that innovation and impact can redefine success for generations to come.
These three prominent members have redefined success in all areas including their societal impact and innovation.
The inclusion reflects the dynamic contributions of Black leaders to the world. For individuals like Ogunlesi, Awotona, and Abbey, their achievements are about creating lasting change.
