African has been known to be home to some of the most influential people in the world. From artists, writers to businessmen there is a long list of individuals who trace their roots to Africa.
Apart from the well-known and the 44th president of the united states, Barack Obama, who was born to a Kenyan father, we take a look at some other most influential people with African ancestry.
1. Elon Musk
Elon Musk was born in Pretoria, South Africa to a Canadian mother and a South African father. He later moved to Canada at the age of 18, where he acquired Canadian citizenship. His passion for coding began at a young age, as he started making money at just 12 years old, which is quite unusual for someone at that age.
Following his recent acquisition of Twitter, Musk has been at the center of American politics.
Despite reports that his net worth dropped towards the end of 2022, he remains the second-richest person in the world. Musk, who has often positioned himself as a freedom of speech crusader, has gained significant influence since taking over Twitter. Although there have been controversies surrounding his lifting of Donald Trump`s Twitter ban, Musk has never made it clear whether he is pro-Republican or anti- Democrat.
With the many companies he runs, including Space X and Tesla, Musk is one of the most influential individuals in the world.
2.Masai Ujiri
Masai Ujiri is the vice chairman and president of basketball operations for the Toronto Raptors in the NBA. Born to a Nigerian -British father, Ujiri was raised in Nigeria and he later started his basketball career in Europe before becoming NBA executive. Though his wife is from Sierra Leon, Ujiri stated in an interview that his mother is from Machakos, Kenya.
The master mind of basketball trades won the NBA executive of the year in 2013. Ujiri then won the NBA championship with the Toronto Raptors in 2019.
Due to his remarkable journey and influence in the NBA, Ujiri launched a foundation dubbed the Giants of Africa with the aim of uplifting Young African basketball talents. His influence has grown massively right from the United States to Africa. He is the first ever African born to hold such a position in the NBA.
Ujiri is arguably the most influential African sports personality in the NBA.
3.Trevor Noah
Trevor Noah is a South African comedian, writer, producer, political commentator, and television host. He was born in Johannesburg, South Africa to a Xhosa mother and a Swiss-German father. Growing up during the era of apartheid in South Africa, Noah experienced firsthand the impact of the institutionalized racism and discrimination that defined life for non-white South Africans during that time. Despite these challenges, Noah`s mother encouraged him to pursue education and instilled in him a love of comedy and storytelling.
He began performing stand-up comedy as a teenager and quickly made a name for himself on the South African comedy scene. In 2011, he began hosting his own talk show,The Daily Show Comedy Central in the United States, where he has since become one of the most influential figures for his sharp wit and commentary on political and social issues.
Through his work and personal life, Noah often talks about his African roots and how that has shaped his perspective on the world. He has often said that he wants to use his platform to show the diversity and complexity of the African continent, which often is portrayed in the media with stereotypes, to the world.
4.Oprah Winfrey
Oprah is the Lionel Messi of media. The TV host has her roots traced back to the Bantu people in Though she is widely recognized for her talk show, Oprah Winfrey is a philanthropist who has dedicated her life in making others become a better version of themselves.
Aside from being one of the most influential TV personalities, Oprah adds up as an author and an actress.
5. Rishi Sunak
The 42-year-old UK Prime Minister was born to Kenyan father and a Tanzanian mother. Both his parents are of Indiana origin who moved to Britain from Kenya during the precolonial period.Sunak is Oxford University graduate who became the youngest Prime Minister and of African origin to ever rise to that position.
The position he holds now makes him one of the most influential people in the world. The people of African origin have made a significant impact on the world in a variety of fields. From politics and civil rights to entertainment and business, these individuals have broken barriers and set an example for future generations to follow.
They have not only made their mark on their respective industries, but they have also made a positive impact on the world as a whole. The list of influential people of African ancestry is long and diverse, with many more names that could have been included. It is important to acknowledge and celebrate the contributions of these individuals to the world, and to remember that they continue to inspire future generations to strive for greatness. Their legacy and impact will be remembered for many years to come.
You can also read our blog on how to be influential.
