David Steward

David L. Steward founded World Wide Technology in 1990 and built it into the largest Black-owned business in America, with annual revenues exceeding $17 billion. WWT is a technology solutions provider that serves some of the world's largest corporations and government agencies, partnering with companies like Cisco, Dell, and Microsoft to design and implement complex IT infrastructure.

Born in Chicago in 1951 and raised in Clinton, Missouri, Steward was one of the few Black students in his school. His father worked at a refinery and his mother was a homemaker who instilled in him a deep Christian faith that remains central to his life and business philosophy. He attended Central Missouri State University on a scholarship and worked as a salesman at several companies before striking out on his own.

Steward launched WWT from his home with a modest contract from the state of Missouri. The company grew steadily by building a reputation for reliability and innovation in technology services. Today, WWT employs over 9,000 people and has been named a "Great Place to Work" for consecutive years. Steward is also a bestselling author and philanthropist who has donated hundreds of millions to education, faith-based organizations, and community development. His net worth exceeds $6 billion.