Alex Omenye
Forbes has unveiled its 2024 ForbesBLK 50 list, celebrating the accomplishments of the wealthiest and most influential Black Americans.
Among the distinguished honorees are three Nigerians: Adebayo Ogunlesi, Tope Awotona, and Wemimo Abbey, whose entrepreneurial achievements and social impact have earned them a place on this prestigious list.
The ForbesBLK 50 list reimagines the 2009 Wealthiest Black Americans ranking, which included figures like Oprah Winfrey, Michael Jordan, and Magic Johnson.
This year’s list not only reflects net worth but also highlights innovation, societal contributions, and leadership across industries.
Adebayo Ogunlesi, with a net worth of $1.7 billion, is a prominent figure in global infrastructure investment. As the chairman and co-founder of Global Infrastructure Partners, Ogunlesi led the firm through a transformative $12.5 billion acquisition by BlackRock in 2024. A Harvard-educated lawyer and banker, he spent over two decades at Credit Suisse before founding GIP in 2006.
Ogunlesi’s influence extends globally as he continues to reshape the infrastructure investment landscape.
Tope Awotona, founder and CEO of Calendly, has revolutionized scheduling with a net worth of $1.4 billion. Born in Lagos and raised in Atlanta, Awotona founded Calendly in 2013 after facing frustrations with meeting coordination.
The platform, which raised $350 million in 2021, is now valued at $3 billion and serves millions of users worldwide.
Wemimo Abbey, 32, is the youngest Nigerian on the list and co-founder of Esusu, an African fintech company focused on financial inclusion.
Esusu helps renters build credit by reporting rent payments to credit bureaus, benefiting over 1.8 million Americans. Abbey, who grew up in Lagos and has a background in mergers and acquisitions consulting, co-founded Esusu, which reached a $1 billion valuation in 2022 following a $130 million funding round.
The ForbesBLK 50 list, launched under ForbesBLK, emphasizes the impact and influence of Black Americans within and beyond their communities.
