Headline Idea:
“Forbes 2025: The 23 Black Billionaires Shaping Global Wealth”
Start with a powerful hook: spotlight the disparity—just 23 out of 3,028 billionaires globally are Black, yet they command a staggering $96.2 billion in combined wealth .
Overview Context
In 2025, Forbes included 3,028 individuals in its World Billionaires list—the most ever—valued at $16.1 trillion in combined net worth .
Of them, only 0.8% (23 people) are Black billionaires, illustrating ongoing wealth inequality—but also highlighting incredible individual stories of success .
Top 10 Richest Black Billionaires (Forbes Ranking)
Aliko Dangote (Nigeria) – $23.9 billion – Cement, sugar, oil; Africa’s richest man and Forbes’ wealthiest Black person .
David Steward (USA) – $11.4 billion – IT infrastructure via World Wide Technology; self-made .
Robert F. Smith (USA) – $10.8 billion – Founder of Vista Equity Partners, the largest Black-owned private equity firm .
Alexander Karp (USA) – $8.4 billion – CEO of Palantir Technologies, a major data-analytics company .
Mike Adenuga (Nigeria) – $6.8 billion – Telecom (Globacom) and oil (Conoil) tycoon .
Abdulsamad Rabiu (Nigeria) – $5.1 billion – BUA Group (cement, sugar); noted philanthropist .
Michael Jordan (USA) – $3.5 billion – NBA legend turned business mogul (Nike, endorsements, sold Hornets stake) .
(tie) Patrice Motsepe (South Africa) – $3 billion – Mining via African Rainbow Minerals; first Black African billionaire .
(tie) Oprah Winfrey (USA) – $3 billion – Media empire (OWN, Harpo Productions) .
Jay-Z (USA) – $2.5 billion – Music and business portfolio (Rocawear, Armand de Brignac, D’Usse, Tidal) .
The Full List: 23 Black Billionaires of 2025
Beyond the top ten, Forbes included a diverse mix of entrepreneurs, entertainers, and technologists:
Adebayo Ogunlesi – $2.2B, GIP (Global Infrastructure Partners) .
(tie) Magic Johnson & Femi Otedola – each $1.5B; Johnson in investments and entertainment; Otedola in energy .
(tie) Tope Awotona, Tyler Perry, Tiger Woods, Rihanna – each $1.4B; spanning tech (Calendly), film, sports, and beauty brands .
(tie) Mohammed Ibrahim, LeBron James – each $1.3B; Ibrahim built telecom infrastructure, LeBron a brand power player in sports & business .
Strive Masiyiwa – $1.2B; Econet Global founder & philanthropist .
(tie) Michael Lee-Chin, Herriot Tabuteau – each $1.1B; Lee-Chin in Caribbean banking and Tabuteau in biotech .
Sheila Johnson – $1.0B; co-founder of BET, hospitality & sports investor .
Standout Newcomers
Sheila Johnson: America’s first Black female billionaire; diversified into hospitality (Salamander), sports franchises, and resorts .
Herriot Tabuteau: Haitian-born biotech innovator; founder of Axsome Therapeutics .
Why It Matters
These 23 represent less than 1% of Forbes’ billionaire roster yet collectively hold nearly $96.2 billion—a stark reminder of both progress and persistent wealth gaps .
Their industries—ranging from infrastructure and finance to entertainment and biotech—showcase how Black leadership is diversifying across global markets.
Suggested Thread Structure
Tweet 1
🌍 Forbes’ 2025 Billionaires List hit a high with 3,028 names, but only 23 are Black—just 0.8%. Yet together they hold a staggering $96.2 billion. Here’s the full rundown: (1/10)
Tweet 2–3
Meet the Top 10:
Dangote ($23.9B)
Steward ($11.4B)
…Jay-Z ($2.5B)
(Summarize in two tweets to keep concise)
Tweet 4
Here are the next 13 making waves—from Magic Johnson and Tyler Perry to Rihanna and LeBron James. Exciting backgrounds! (List names & net worths)
Tweet 5
What’s new this year?
Welcome Sheila Johnson (first Black female billionaire) and biotech innovator Herriot Tabuteau.
Tweet 6
Why it matters: Less than 1%—but packed with diverse stories and sectoral influence: tech, infrastructure, finance, wellness, and beyond.
Closing Tweet
These aren’t just numbers. They’re stories of legacy, innovation, and changing global wealth dynamics. Thoughts?
