The wealthiest Black person in America is IT entrepreneur David Steward, according to the 2024 Forbes 400 list of wealthiest Americans. On Tuesday, Forbes revealed its annual ranking, which estimated the Missouri resident’s net worth at a record $11.4 billion, up from $7.6 billion last year and $6 billion the year before that. Steward, who resides in St. Louis, tops private equity billionaire Robert Smith, who is the second richest, with an estimated net worth of $10.8 billion.
They’re two of just four Black members on the 2024 ranking, which required a minimum net worth of $3.3 billion, the most ever. That means just 1% of the list members are Black entrepreneurs or executives. The other two are Palantir cofounder Alexander Karp, who makes his debut with an estimated $3.6 billion, and NBA great Michael Jordan, worth an estimated $3.5 billion.
