The Virtual Cookout

, CEO of , has just been named the UK's most influential Black person by 2025—a testament to his incredible journey from homelessness to leading a £1.7 billion company.

Growing up in southeast London with a single parent, Forbes faced struggles that could have held him back. Twice homeless and in debt by his teens, his early dreams of pro football ended when he was released from Crystal Palace FC at 17. But he didn’t stop there.

Starting in a Motorola call center, he worked his way through top roles at Oracle and Primavera, eventually becoming a CEO by age 30. Today, he leads Forterro and founded the Forbes Family Group to support underserved communities.

Dean’s story is one of grit, vision, and giving back. His rise is a powerful reminder of what’s possible. 💼💪

We think The Virtual Cookout is a better name and tone for the direction we want to take this page in. TVC for the culture 🔥👌🏾

Who Was Mansa Musa? 🤔 And was he really THAT rich? 🤨

Mansa Musa III, also known as Mansa Musa, was the tenth Mansa (Sultan or Emperor) of the wealthy West African Mali Empire in the 14th century.

He ruled from 1312 to 1337 and is widely regarded as one of the wealthiest individuals in history.

Mansa Musa's wealth was derived from his empire's vast salt and gold deposits, which were highly prized commodities at the time. During his famous pilgrimage to Mecca in 1324, he distributed so much gold that it caused inflation in the regions he passed through.

While estimates vary, many experts believe that Mansa Musa's net worth, when adjusted for inflation, would be around $400 billion to $415 billion in today's currency, making him arguably the wealthiest person ever known.

Born free in 1731, self-educated Benjamin Banneker defied all odds to become an astronomical & mathematical genius. 🌌

As a young man, he amazed neighbors by building a striking wooden clock. His brilliant mind later produced widely-read almanacs filled with precise calculations. 📖🔭

At age 60, Banneker played a vital role in surveying the site of Washington DC, serving as the team's scientific assistant. His meticulous astronomical observations & journal-keeping were crucial to the project's success. 🏛️📏

A renaissance man, Banneker shared his antislavery views in correspondence with Thomas Jefferson. He knew firsthand the intellect & potential of Black Americans. 💪🏾✨

Banneker's accomplishments in the face of adversity made him an iconic figure. Sadly, much of his work was lost in a fire upon his death at 74. But his legacy as a pioneering Black scientist endures. 🖼️🔥



Learn about more barrier-breaking Black scientists in this incredible book: