Top Black Leaders In Tech
A new wave of African and diaspora tech leaders is rewriting the rules from Silicon Valley to Wall Street. Armed with degrees from elite institutions and ideas born from both necessity and ambition, they are building products and platforms that power the global economy. Meet the founders and visionaries building the future of fintech, aerospace, education, and venture capital.
Vice President, Product Management, Meta
Ime Archibong, a Yale-educated engineer with an MBA from Stanford, serves as vice president of product management at Meta. He leads initiatives that expand global connectivity and foster innovation. Previously, as VP of Product Partnerships, Archibong launched programs like Facebook Connectivity and Internet.org, aiming to bridge the digital divide. He centers on leveraging technology to create inclusive digital ecosystems, particularly in underserved regions. Archibong’s work reflects a commitment to empowering communities through access to information and technology.
Founder & CEO, STEMBoard and LINGO
Aisha Bowe, a former NASA aerospace engineer, holds degrees in aerospace engineering and space systems engineering from the University of Michigan. She founded STEMBoard, a tech company specializing in engineering solutions, and LINGO, an educational platform offering coding kits to inspire youth in STEM fields. Bowe aims to diversify the STEM workforce by providing accessible educational resources. In April 2025, she joined Blue Origin’s NS-31 mission, becoming one of the few Black women to travel to space, exemplifying her dedication to breaking barriers in science and technology.
Wemimo Abbey, who experienced financial exclusion firsthand in Nigeria, co-founded Esusu to address systemic credit disparities. The fintech platform enables renters to report payments to credit bureaus, fostering financial inclusion. Abbey helps underprivileged communities build wealth by removing obstacles to doing so. Esusu’s innovative approach has garnered recognition, including a spot on Forbes’ Fintech 50 list, highlighting its impact on creating equitable financial opportunities.
Tope Awotona, a University of Georgia graduate, founded Calendly to streamline scheduling processes. The platform simplifies meeting coordination, enhancing productivity for users worldwide. Awotona’s mission is to eliminate the inefficiencies of traditional scheduling, empowering professionals to focus on meaningful work. Under his leadership, Calendly has achieved significant growth, becoming a vital tool for businesses and individuals alike.
Henri Pierre-Jacques
Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Harlem Capital
Henri Pierre-Jacques, with an MBA from Harvard Business School, co-founded Harlem Capital to revolutionize venture capital by investing in diverse entrepreneurs. The firm aims to fund 1,000 diverse founders over 20 years, addressing the funding gap in minority communities. Pierre-Jacques is actively contributing to the creation of a more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem that promotes innovation and equity in the startup world.
David Dindi
Co-Founder & CEO, Atomic Invest
David Dindi, a Stanford alumnus with a background in chemical engineering and computer science, leads Atomic Invest, a fintech company providing infrastructure for investment platforms. Dindi’s work focuses on breaking down financial barriers and promoting economic empowerment through technology. He makes wealth-building tools more accessible to everyone so that companies can easily provide investment services.
These founders aren’t just building companies — they’re creating blueprints. They’ve launched billion-dollar platforms, pioneered equitable finance models, and opened doors for thousands of others to follow. They are proof that global Black talent doesn’t need saving — it needs scaling. As they continue to define the future of tech, their stories remind us that innovation thrives when access meets ambition.
