HEALTH
26-Year Old Makes History as Ghana's First Black Female Heart Surgeon
“Dr. Penelope Adinku's groundbreaking achievement as Ghana's first black female heart surgeon inspires us to break barriers, embrace excellence, and pave the way for a future where diversity thrives in medicine.”
Black Wall St. MediaContributor
In a groundbreaking achievement, Dr. Penelope Adinku, a 26-year-old cardiothoracic surgeon from Ghana, has etched her name in the annals of medical history.
With exceptional skill and determination, she successfully performed a life-saving heart operation on a 6-year-old girl, marking her as the first Black female surgeon in Ghana to achieve this milestone.
A Trailblazing Journey: Dr. Adinku’s remarkable journey to becoming a heart surgeon is a testament to her unwavering dedication and pursuit of excellence.
After earning a Ph.D. in Molecular and Cell Biology from the University of Ghana, she embarked on her medical career, completing her externship at the prestigious Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.
A Landmark Operation:
Despite it being her first open heart surgery, Dr. Adinku’s expertise and preparation led to a resounding success.
The procedure involved repairing the young patient’s heart, significantly improving her condition. Dr. Adinku’s skillful execution and meticulous approach affirmed her place as a highly capable and trailblazing surgeon.
Paving the Way for Future Generations:
Dr. Adinku’s historic achievement holds immense significance for aspiring medical professionals, especially young Black women in Ghana.
Her groundbreaking success serves as an inspiration and a symbol of possibility, paving the way for others to follow in her footsteps.
With her indomitable spirit and groundbreaking accomplishment, Dr. Adinku has opened doors for future generations of Black female surgeons to make their mark in the field of medicine.
A Promising Future:
As Dr. Adinku continues to make strides in her career, her achievements are not limited to her own personal success.
The impact of her work extends far beyond the operating room, leaving an indelible mark on Ghana’s medical landscape.
By breaking barriers and shattering glass ceilings, she has set the stage for a more diverse and inclusive future in the field of cardiothoracic surgery.
Dr. Penelope Adinku’s remarkable journey as Ghana’s first Black female heart surgeon is a testament to her unwavering passion, perseverance, and commitment to excellence.
Her groundbreaking achievement will continue to inspire and empower aspiring medical professionals, particularly young Black women, to pursue their dreams and strive for excellence in the field of medicine.
With her pioneering work, Dr. Adinku has paved the way for a future generation of diverse and talented surgeons, leaving an enduring legacy in Ghana’s medical community.
Black Wall St. MediaContributor
Editors Letter – January 2026
Beyond the Hustle: Rethinking Wealth for Ourselves
- Editors Letter – January 2026
As we step into 2026, we carry the lessons of a year that tested us, inspired us, and reminded us of our collective strength. From cultural milestones to hard conversations, one truth remained constant: the resilience of the global Black community. This is about legacy, reflection, and moving forward with intention. - Who Gets to Belong?
Who gets to belong is rarely a neutral question. It is shaped by power, enforced by institutions, and tested most sharply when ordinary people refuse to accept that some lives are worth less than others. From immigration raids to police encounters, the boundary between “us” and “them” is drawn and redrawn, often with devastating consequences. In January, in Minneapolis, that boundary cost Renée Nicole Good her life. In 1987, in Wolverhampton, it cost Clinton McCurbin his. Their stories unfold in different countries, under different authorities, yet they are bound by the same logic: that belonging can be conditional, policed, and withdrawn. This article traces how that logic travels—from the United States to Britain, from migrants to citizens, from symbols of national pride to acts of state violence—and asks what it reveals about who is allowed to be “from here,” and at what cost. - MOBO Opens Its Forever Home
From Tina Turner to Beyoncé, MOBO has never just been an awards show — it’s been a movement. After decades of celebrating Black excellence and shaping British culture, MOBO is now putting down roots with the launch of the House of MOBO in South London. More than a pub, this vibrant new space is a home for creativity, community and connection, honouring a legacy built on resilience, vision and the power of culture to bring people together. - The Price of Posture
A lie still runs the league. Jude Bellingham’s brilliance isn’t just redefining football—it’s exposing the racial narratives that continue to shape how Black excellence is seen, judged, and constrained. This isn’t just about sport. It’s about truth, power, and the cost of being unapologetically extraordinary. - Beyond the Hustle: Rethinking Wealth for Ourselves
For many of us, money has long been tied to worth but what happens when we start seeing it differently? In her debut article for Black Wall St. Media, Behavioural Finance Editor Krystle McGilvery explores how rethinking money through the lens of wealth, abundance, and prosperity can transform not just our finances, but how we live and lead. Drawing on her personal journey and years of financial leadership, Krystle shares three powerful mindset shifts to help you build clarity, confidence, and calm around money and move beyond the hustle. Because true wealth isn’t about what you earn it’s about how you align it with who you are.
