BEHIND THE STITCH: ALANI
June 21, 2024
No Comments
Forbes has unveiled its 2024 ForbesBLK 50 list, spotlighting the 50 most affluent and impactful Black Americans across diverse industries. This annual recognition goes beyond wealth, celebrating exceptional achievements in innovation, leadership, and societal contributions. The honourees represent a broad spectrum of fields, including technology, finance, media, and philanthropy, showcasing stories of resilience, ingenuity, and a steadfast commitment to driving positive change within their communities and industries.
This year’s list also highlights the global influence of African-born professionals, emphasizing their remarkable contributions to shaping industries and inspiring others. By celebrating these trailblazers, the ForbesBLK 50 underscores the power of diversity and the transformative role of leadership in advancing progress and innovation across the world.
Among the distinguished honorees are three Nigerian-born entrepreneurs: Adebayo Ogunlesi, Tope Awotona, and Wemimo Abbey, each recognized for their significant contributions to their respective industries.
Adebayo Ogunlesi is the Chairman and Managing Partner of Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), a leading private equity firm specializing in infrastructure investments. In 2024, GIP underwent a transformative acquisition by BlackRock for $12.5 billion, further elevating Ogunlesi’s prominence in the financial sector.
Ogunlesi, with a net worth of $1.7 billion, began his education at Oxford University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts. He went on to earn both a Juris Doctor and an MBA from Harvard. His career started in the early 1980s as a law clerk for Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, before he worked as an attorney at Cravath, Swaine & Moore. Ogunlesi spent over 20 years as an investment banker at Credit Suisse.
In 2006, he co-founded Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), which has since grown into a major force in global infrastructure investment. His impact spans across international business and infrastructure development.
Tope Awotona, founder and CEO of the scheduling platform Calendly, has redefined efficiency in scheduling, amassing a net worth of $1.4 billion. Under his leadership, Calendly has become a pivotal tool for businesses and individuals worldwide.
Awotona, born in Lagos and relocated to Atlanta at 15, initially studied computer science at the University of Georgia before switching to business and management information systems. After working as a salesman in the tech industry and founding several unsuccessful startups, he created Calendly to streamline the meeting scheduling process that was often hindered by emails.
In 2013, Awotona founded Calendly, using his 401(k) savings to finance the business. By 2021, Calendly had reached a valuation of $3 billion after securing $350 million in funding.
His entrepreneurial journey, marked by resilience and innovation, has positioned him as a leader in tech and a symbol of success for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Wemimo Abbey, co-founder and co-CEO of Esusu, a fintech company that helps renters build their credit by reporting rent payments to credit bureaus, is celebrated for his innovative approach to financial inclusion. Abbey grew up in Lagos before moving to the United States, where his mother sold her wedding ring to pay for his education.
Before founding Esusu, Abbey worked as a mergers and acquisitions consultant at PwC and co-founded both a non-profit and a data analytics startup. Esusu gained significant attention in 2022 after raising $130 million in funding, reaching a $1 billion valuation.
Today, Esusu’s service is offered in over 20,000 properties across the United States, helping approximately 1.8 million renters improve their credit scores. Abbey’s work focuses on leveraging technology to drive social change and expand financial inclusion. At 32, he is the youngest Nigerian to be featured on the ForbesBLK 50 list.
Abbey is a trailblazer in creating equitable financial solutions. Esusu’s innovative work has made a profound impact on underserved communities, earning recognition in tech and social innovation.
Their inclusion in the ForbesBLK50 list underscores the growing influence of Nigerian-born entrepreneurs in the global business landscape, highlighting their roles as trailblazers and innovators.
