KINGSTON, Jamaica — Kristofer Madu is working to inspire young people from underserved communities to pursue high-impact careers in investing, finance and technology through his nonprofit initiative, When We Grow Up.

According to The Vanguard, the 25-year-old private equity investor has made it his mission to expose students to opportunities they may not typically encounter, particularly those from low-income backgrounds with limited access to career guidance.

Madu, who grew up in Nashville and once aspired to be a rapper, found his way into private equity after a time in the music industry. There, he developed an understanding of how success often depends on identifying the right opportunities and navigating complex industries.

Now based in San Francisco, he has built a resume that includes involvement in investment deals valued at more than US$150 billion. Despite his success, Madu remains one of the few Black professionals in private equity, where diversity continues to be a challenge.

To address this gap in exposure, he founded When We Grow Up, an organisation aimed at broadening the ambitions of young people. Through school visits and outreach, Madu introduces students to careers in finance, technology and beyond.

Madu, who has Jamaican and Nigerian heritage, was named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 in 2025. He works at TPG, focusing on technology as well as media and entertainment investments.

READ: Jamaican makes Forbes ‘30 under 30 Finance’ list

In a recent Instagram post, he shared his belief that every child deserves a chance to succeed, noting that future doctors, engineers and financiers could emerge from even the most challenging environments if given the right support.

He also outlined plans to expand When We Grow Up across major United States S cities, including Boston, New York and Florida, with a long-term vision of creating pathways for children in developing nations.