The Root developed a list of Black businessmen who could replace Elon Musk as head of Twitter. One of the most promising contenders is David L. Steward, a Black billionaire. Elon has been open about his political views, but that is no excuse for allowing wealthy bigots to dominate one of the largest social media platforms in the world! It has recently been announced that the platform could combat hate speech, like the rampant use of the n-word, by charging users a $8 “verification fee”.
According to The Root, the founder and chairman of World Wide Technology, which is one of the largest Black-owned companies in the United States, is being considered for a position at Twitter. Given his experience in the tech industry, his move to Twitter would be effortless. It’s hard to argue with that! Here is a list of 5 facts you might not know about the business icon.
David Helped to “Diversify Hockey”
As part-owner of the St. Louis Blues, David helped the team win the Stanley Cup. He says he hopes this will lead the way for other people of color to do the same!
David Grew Up in a Segregated Town
David grew up in Clinton, Missouri. Although his classes were integrated as of first grade due to the recent Brown v. Board of Education, the phenomenon was still met with hostility by some townsfolk. David remembers his own father having to “patrol the town all night to ensure his five kids could go to school safely.”
David Attended College for Business
He eventually graduated from Central Missouri State. 10 years later, he borrowed $2,000 from his father. This is how he started World Wide Technology in 1990.
Made the Forbes 400
According to The St. Louis American in 2021, David was ranked 182nd on According to Forbes 400, their net worth rose from $3.7 billion to $5.8 billion in the previous year.
There are Thirteen Black Billionaires in the Entire World
Read up on David’s impressive financial stats here!
Awesome work, David L. Steward.
Missouri & elsewhere, thanks you.
On diversity, Steward says, “We were the only raisins in the milk.”
Seems like those scales of justice need a whole bunch more raisins on one side of the scales to help further balance things out!