David Lloyd Steward was born July 2, 1951, in Chicago, Illinois, but his early years were spent in rural Clinton, Missouri, where his family moved when he was still a child. Growing up in a segregated environment, he experienced the realities of racial discrimination firsthand, separate schools, restricted access, and limited opportunities.

Steward earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business from what is now the University of Central Missouri (formerly Central Missouri State University) in 1973. After graduation, he held various sales and management jobs, including roles at Wagner Electric, Missouri Pacific Railroad (where he was the first African American to sell rail services there) and FedEx, where he was sales representative of the year and later inducted into the company’s Hall of Fame.

In 1990, Steward co-founded World Wide Technology (WWT), a systems integrator and technology solutions firm headquartered in St. Louis. Under his leadership, WWT expanded to become one of the largest African American–owned companies in the U.S., with annual revenues in the billions. Steward has described his business philosophy as faith-based and values-driven, often highlighting that ethics, integrity and purpose are as critical as profits.

Beyond business, Steward and his wife Thelma established the Steward Family Foundation, focusing on education, health and human services, especially in historically underserved communities. He serves on multiple boards and is active in civic leadership in St. Louis and beyond.

Steward’s story resonates as a testament to entrepreneurship, resilience and the impact of leading from conviction. From a segregated childhood to building a global company and engaging in substantial philanthropic work, his journey offers a model of Black business leadership.