David Steward

David Steward is the founder and chairman of World Wide Technology and Kingdom Capital. He is a dedicated philanthropist whose remarkable journey took him from having his car repossessed to becoming one of the nation's few Black billionaires.

After graduating from Central Missouri State University in 1973, Steward relocated to St. Louis. He was the first person of color hired by Missouri Pacific Railroad Company to sell rail services. After leaving the railroad, he joined Federal Express as a senior account executive. During his tenure at FedEx, Steward was recognized as Salesman of the Year and inducted into the company’s Sales Hall of Fame in 1981.

Following the launch of two successful startup companies, Steward founded World Wide Technology in 1990. Under his leadership, what began as a small logistics and transportation audit company grew into a global systems integrator and supply chain solutions provider with more than 5,000 employees and $13+ billion in revenue.

Steward has been married to his wife, Thelma, for 43 years. Their son, David L. Steward II, is CEO of Polarity Ltd. He is married to Mary, and they have two sons, Trey and Julian. Their daughter, Kimberly Steward, is CEO of K Period Media.

Steward is a member of the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans and serves on its board of directors. He also serves on the boards of the National Academy Foundation, United Way of Greater St. Louis, Washington University, Variety the Children's Charity of St. Louis, the Boy Scouts of America Greater St. Louis Area Council, and other organizations.

Under Steward’s leadership, WWT has become the most successful business in the history of the federal government’s 8(a) disadvantaged and small business program. The company has partnered with the Department of Defense, security agencies, the National Institutes of Health, and other civilian agencies. WWT holds top-level government security clearances.

In addition to earning his degree from Central Missouri State University, Steward holds an honorary Doctor of Laws from Washington University and honorary doctorates in humane letters from several other institutions. He was the first non-engineer to receive the Black Engineer of the Year Award. In 2018, he received the Boy Scouts of America’s Silver Buffalo Award for distinguished service.

Steward and his wife are deeply involved in philanthropic and community efforts. “I don’t have a business philosophy and a personal philosophy. They are one and the same that I live by 24/7,” Steward said. “My wife, Thelma, and I come from humble backgrounds, and we have been blessed with more prosperity than we could have imagined when we were young. It is a blessing for us to give to others.”