To get to the top, you can’t go alone.
Every great entrepreneur knows the value of a dollar and how to spread wealth not only literally, but also in the form of sage advice to help you set some financial goals.
As of 2025, there are only 13 to 14 Black billionaires in the United States, and only 23 across the globe. The number may be small, but it’s always growing.
For anyone looking to learn from some of those who have achieved this rare status, here’s some financial wisdom that’s sure to inspire and guide in all your money pursuits.
LeBron James
He may be one of the best on the court, but it’s his off the court activities that also helped get him to billionaire status.
In 2022, his NBA salary plus his company, The SpringHill Company and his investments in major companies turned him into the first active NBA player billionaire.
“Certain money is not always good money. It could be just being at the wrong place at the wrong time. I mean, if you have your priorities in check then for the most part it’s easy.”
Oprah Winfrey
Oprah reached billionaire status in 2003. She initially gained success in the 80s and 90s through the early 00’s with her hit talk show The Oprah Winfrey Show.
From there, she leveraged her fanbase into publishing, film and TV production and now owns her own cable network OWN.
“By the time I was 17, I was working in radio, making $100 a week. I would have done it for free. And that’s when I made my peace with money. I decided that no matter what job I ever did, I wanted that same feeling I got when I first started in radio—the feeling of I love this so much, even if you didn’t pay me I’d show up every day, on time and happy to be here. I recognized then what I know now for sure: If you can get paid for doing what you love, every paycheck is a bonus.”
Michael Jordan
Michael became a billionaire in 2014, surprisingly due to rising value of his majority stake in the Charlotte Hornets basketball team. Plus, his investments and deals.
“When you refuse to take risks, you’re not just protecting yourself from failure, you’re also closing the door on everything amazing that could be waiting for you on the other side of fear. Let go of Plan B. Plan A is where the magic happens.”
Aiko Dangote
In 2007 he became Nigeria’s first billionaire, due to his conglomerate the Dangote Group. He’s the richest man in Africa.
“I built a conglomerate and emerged the richest black man in the world in 2008 but it didn’t happen overnight. It took me 30 years to get to where I am today. Youths of today aspire to be like me but they want to achieve it overnight. It’s not going to work. To build a successful business, you must start small and dream big. In the journey of entrepreneurship, tenacity of purpose is supreme.”
Robert F. Smith
He’s a businessman whose net worth is currently valued at over $5 Billion. All of which came from founding the private equity firm Vista Equity Partners.
“Intellectual capital has become the new currency of business and finance, and the promise of utilizing brainpower to move individuals, families and even entire communities from poverty to prosperity within one generation has never been more possible than at this moment in time.”
Folorunsho Alakija
She’s a highly accomplished olil tycoon. She is currently one of Africa’s wealthiest women.
“Always see challenges as opportunities in disguise. It’s not really about how much we possess, but rather how well we manage and use what we are entrusted with.
Tyler Perry
Starting out as a playwright in the local circuit, Tyler slowly worked his way to becoming a huge global success with his comedy movies and television shows.
In 2008 he opened up his studio, but in 2019 he expanded, taking over a vast majority of Atlanta. He became an official billionaire shortly after in 2020.
“It’s very important that as you’re building a business, and you’re coming up with these incredible ideas, and you’re defining yourself in any space…you’re taking the necessary laws and steps to protect what you created, which is very difficult these days, especially with social media. But they can be held to account if you’ve lined up all the legal ducks in a row.”
