Author: Writer

While we might naturally think of our national parks as an ever-present part of our country’s history, in reality, they’re a fairly new concept. On March 1, 1872, Congress established the very first national park: Yellowstone National Park. The designation of Yellowstone prompted a land conservation movement, leading to the creation of many more national …

Upcoming Anniversaries of Some of the Country’s Most Celebrated National Parks Read More »

April is National Minority Health Month, and it’s an important time to recognize the impact of different diseases on communities of color. Because of systemic problems in our health system, people of color, particularly African Americans, are disproportionately impacted by negative health outcomes.  Prostate Cancer Prostate cancer impacts more than three million men in the …

Recognizing Disparities During National Minority Health Month Read More »

As we approach April 4, we honor the legacy of legendary civil rights leader Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. On this day 53 years ago, Dr. King was fatally shot while standing on the balcony outside his second-story room at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee.  Dr. King was one of the nation’s fiercest …

Honoring Martin Luther King Jr. and Preserving Stories of Black History Read More »

After being contacted by multiple people who reached out hoping for a copy of the letter, I (Robert) made the decision to post it on my website. By Erecting Barriers, Georgia is Backtracking on the Hard-Won Right to Vote The right to vote is a cherished birthright of all Americans. However, for much of this …

Memo to Corporate America: The Fierce Urgency Read More »

Amanda Gorman, the youngest inaugural poet in United States’ history, made headlines in January 2021 when she read her now-famous poem “The Hill We Climb.” Through her powerful words, she stirred feelings across the nation and brought hope to those who had been without for some time. That’s the power poetry can have and why …

Literary Events and Resources to Enjoy During National Poetry Month 2021 Read More »

Robert F. Smith, who was recognized by Forbes for his contributions to diversity and inclusion in the workplace this past year, offered the idea of “conscious inclusion” to CEOs looking to put into practice promises regarding diversity made over the last year.  When speaking of cultural movements with the BlackNorth Initiative’s Wes Hall at a …

How “Conscious Inclusion” Leads to Board Diversity Read More »

A recent Forbes article described education philanthropy as coming with “more strings than Pinocchio.” Boosters often restrict their gifts to specific groups, funds, programs and buildings, reinforcing a more self-centered form of giving. But philanthropists like MacKenzie Scott and Robert F. Smith, the Founder, Chairman and CEO of Vista Equity Partners, are turning the page …

MacKenzie Scott and Robert F. Smith are Cutting the Strings on Higher Education Philanthropy Read More »

In 1961, a multiracial group of civil rights activists organized to fight back against racial segregation and hate across the South — this group of brave members of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) became known as the “Freedom Riders.” Over seven months, the Freedom Riders traveled on interstate bus routes throughout the South to …

Freedom Riders to be Honored in a New Film Executive Produced by Robert F. Smith Read More »

On February 22, 2021, Aspen Ideas, presented by The Aspen Institute, kickstarted its year of conferences with Aspen Ideas: RE$ET, a virtual two-day event created in conjunction with Bloomberg Economics. While the full Aspen Ideas Festival is scheduled for late June, Aspen Ideas: RE$ET tackled the views of policymakers, business leaders, entrepreneurs and global citizens …

Robert F. Smith Presents on the 2% Solution at Aspen Ideas: RE$ET Read More »

Early this year, Columbia University announced a major step in their plan to reach carbon neutrality: the formalization of a non-investment policy in publicly traded oil and gas companies. Together with the University’s 2017 decision to divest from thermal coal, the new investment approach aligns with its considerable academic and research commitment to the environment, …

Columbia University and Alumnus Robert F. Smith’s Shared Commitment to Carbon Neutrality Read More »