Urban Wealth Today | Profile .David L Steward

David L. Steward is an entrepreneur, civic leader, philanthropist and industry trailblazer renowned globally for his faith-based approach to business and inclusive, values-driven leadership.

He founded World Wide Technology in 1990 and serves as Chairman of the Board. His vision, ambition and determination are widely responsible for catapulting WWT from a small government contractor with a handful of employees into a global technology solutions provider that is the largest Black-owned company in the United States with more than 12,000 employees.

As Chairman, he directs the work of WWT's board of directors and executive management team to ensure they are implementing a growth strategy that capitalizes on strategic opportunities aligned with the company's core values.

With decades of experience in the technology industry, Dave also develops strategic supplier, client and employee relationships that are key to keeping WWT on a path for growth. Dave's passion for serving and investing in others help him forge deep relationships with industry and community leaders alike. Those relationships were key to WWT's viability early in its existence, and they remain hallmarks of his commitment to grow WWT today.

WWT's humble beginnings accelerated in the early 1990s when the company qualified for and graduated from the Small Business Administration's Business Development Program. Today, WWT stands as one of the SBA program's top success stories, which helps firms owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals receive training and technical assistance to strengthen their ability to compete effectively in the American economy.

WWT's success in the SBA's Business Development Program helped shape WWT's vision to offer similar support to other small and disadvantaged firms through WWT's Small Business and Supplier Enablement program. As Founder and Chairman Dave Steward frequently says: "Talent is equally distributed; opportunity is not. We need to change that by inspiring and igniting untapped potential. Diversity and inclusion are essential to innovation; both foster stronger business outcomes."

Today, WWT works with partners including the National Minority Supplier Development Council, which WWT vigorously supports, and suppliers to fulfill its commitment to supplier diversity and because of that, is recognized as a corporate leader in our industry.

Dave's passion for helping others extends well beyond the corporate environment. His philanthropic and community development endeavors focus on creating positive change for others — particularly for underserved communities where opportunities are conspicuously absent.

Dave is a major supporter of Concordance, a non-profit organization that helps reduce reincarceration rates by offering individuals recently released from prison a holistic program that presents a first real chance at healing from past traumas.

A fan of auto racing from a young age, Dave has strong partnerships in the racing community that promote diversity and inclusion. He led the effort to sponsor NASCAR's Darrell "Bubba" Wallace, Jr. to grow the sport beyond its legacy fan base. Dave served as a behind-the-scenes counselor to Wallace during his historic stand on the Confederate flag and its removal from all NASCAR venues and events.

Dave and his family are staunch supporters of the family of the late Wendell Scott, who was one of the first African American drivers in NASCAR and the first African American to win a race in what is now the Cup Series. Their efforts made it possible for NASCAR to finally recognize Scott's historic achievement and present the long overdue trophy to Scott's children and grandchildren in 2021 – nearly 58 years after the race, and 31 years after Scott had died.

Beyond the track, Dave is actively involved in several organizations that work to advance diversity, equity and inclusion for historically underrepresented communities, including the National Urban League; Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis; Scouting America; Hope Ignites; BEYA; NPower; National Minority Supplier Development Council; and Jackie Joyner-Kersee Foundation.

Dave is a member of the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans; Council Vice President for the Greater St. Louis Area Council, Scouting America and Executive Board Member of Scouting America; Chairman Emeritus of Variety the Children's Charity of St. Louis. He serves on the Executive Committee of Greater St. Louis, Inc. and the boards of Concordance Academy of Leadership, National Academy Foundation (NAF), Washington University, United Way of Greater St. Louis, Biblical Business Training and more.

Dave holds an Honorary Doctor of Laws from Washington University, as well as Honorary Doctorates in Humane Letters from numerous colleges and universities. He is a graduate of Central Missouri State University with a Bachelor of Science in business management.

Dave co-authored two books: Doing Business by The Good Book (2004) and Leadership by the Good Book (2020). Both books pair Biblical scripture and themes with business and leadership practices to provide a foundation for applying lessons of Scripture for creating stronger relationships in business, family and community.

He regularly communicates with WWT employees, clients and partners through the Chairman's Newsletters, which are published quarterly on wwt.com.

Dave and his wife, Thelma, have been married for nearly 50 years. They have two children and two grandchildren. Their son, Dave Steward II, is the CEO of Polarity, LLC, the only Black-owned digital animation studio in the United States. Their daughter, Kimberly, is the CEO of K Period Media, an American film production/finance company. Both David II and Kimberly were awarded Oscars by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for their work.

Dave was born in Chicago and raised in Clinton, Missouri. He was the first person of color ever hired by the Missouri Pacific Railroad to sell rail services. After leaving Missouri Pacific, he joined Federal Express as a senior account executive. Mr. Steward was recognized as the FedEx salesman of the year in 1981 and was inducted into the company's Sales Hall of Fame.

Dave and Thelma reside in the St. Louis area.

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