Forbes’ World’s 100 Most Powerful Women list for 2025 spotlights leaders who move industries, shift culture, and influence global systems. Among them are Black women whose work spans trade, media, finance, entertainment and philanthropy — proving that power has many forms and many accents.

Below is a sharper look at the women who made the list, what they do, and why their influence matters.

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1. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

Director-General, World Trade Organization — Rank 92

What she does:

• First woman and first African to lead the WTO.

• Former Nigerian Finance Minister and World Bank veteran.

Her impact:

• Drives global trade reforms that support developing countries.

• Advocates equitable access to international markets.

• Has shaped global health financing through her work with Gavi.

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2. Mo Abudu

‍Founder & CEO, EbonyLife Media — Rank 98

What she does:

• Builds one of Africa’s most successful media empires.

• Creates film and TV content broadcast in over 49 countries.

Her impact:

• Pioneered African storytelling on global platforms.

• Secured historic deals with Netflix, Sony, and AMC.

• Expands global visibility for African creatives.

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3. Oprah Winfrey

Media Mogul & Philanthropist — Rank 30

What she does:

• Controls a media and production empire spanning TV, streaming, publishing, and film.

Her impact:

• Shapes global conversations on leadership, empowerment, and wellness.

• Invests heavily in education and social development.

• One of the most influential storytellers of the modern era.

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4. Beyoncé Knowles-Carter

Artist & Entrepreneur — Rank 33

What she does:

• Global music icon with major ventures in fashion, film, touring, and culture.

Her impact:

• 2025’s Cowboy Carter tour became the highest-grossing country music tour in history.

• Uses her platform to amplify Black culture and social justice.

• A major economic force across entertainment and lifestyle sectors.

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5. Thasunda Brown Duckett

CEO, TIAA — Rank 36

What she does:

• Leads one of America’s largest retirement and financial services companies.

Her impact:

• Champions financial inclusion and wealth-gap reduction.

• Drives large-scale reforms in retirement planning access.

• One of the few Black women CEO’s in U.S. finance.

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Why Their Positions Matter

These women don’t just occupy high-ranked roles, they reshape the systems they operate in.

They broaden the meaning of power from boardrooms to global culture, from trade diplomacy to storytelling, from economic inclusion to artistic innovation.

Their inclusion in Forbes’ 2025 ranking signals a world where Black excellence is not just present — it is central to global progress.