In the Press
Read the latest news mentions about Robert F. Smith and his business and giving to support his communities.
Meet the Jackie Robinson of Wall Street
04/03/2021
Reginald F. Lewis was a legendary figure on Wall Street and a pioneer for Black business people. Robert F. Smith reminisces on Lewis’ influence, life and legacy for this Forbes profile.
Read ArticleTwitter, Microsoft, MLB Among Groups Denouncing Voting Restrictions
04/02/2021
The business coalition Civic Alliance recently released a statement denouncing new voting restrictions being considered and enacted across the U.S., with signatories including massive companies like Twitter, Dow and Major League Baseball — alongside Uber, Dow and HP. The statement comes after an initial push from Black business executives placed a letter in the New York Times urging companies to take a stand against voting restrictions across the country.
Read Article72 Black Executives Call on Corporate America to Fight Voting Restrictions
03/31/2021
On Wednesday, 72 Black executives signed an open letter demanding corporate America take action to fight GOP-led legislation that would restrict voting access in at least 43 states. Robert F. Smith was one of the signatories that was published in the New York Times.
Read ArticleBlack Executives Call on Corporations to Fight Restrictive Voting Laws
03/31/2021
Black business leaders in America are calling on companies to fight a wave of restrictive voting bills in states throughout the country. The letter was signed by 72 Black executives, including Robert F. Smith.
Read Article‘There is No Middle Ground’ — Black CEOs Urge Companies to Oppose Restrictive Voting Laws
03/31/2021
A group of Black business executives are imploring corporate America to take forceful stands against efforts to restrict voting access, following a new law in Georgia that will disproportionately hurt voters of color. Robert F. Smith was one of the signers of the letter published as an ad in the New York Times.
Read Article72 Black Executives Call on Corporate America to Fight Voting Restrictions
03/31/2021
72 Black executives signed onto an open letter Wednesday demanding corporate America take action to fight GOP-led legislation that would restrict voting access in at least 43 states. Robert F. Smith signed the letter that appeared in Wednesday’s edition of the New York Times.
Read ArticleVista Equity Partners Internship Program Provides Opportunities in Private Equity to Undergraduate Students from Underrepresented Groups
03/24/2021
Vista Equity Partners announced it’s accepting applications for the 2022 Vista Frontier Fellows Program, which provides undergraduate students from backgrounds that are not usually represented in private equity with full-time, paid internship opportunities to prepare them for a career in finance. Robert F. Smith is quoted about the importance of developing young talent from a variety of backgrounds.
Read ArticleRichard Branson Launches Campaign to End the Death Penalty
03/18/2021
A group of global business leaders is calling for a permanent end to capital punishment around the world. Robert F. Smith signed on to the campaign, which will release an updated set of signees on October 10, World Day Against the Death Penalty.
Read ArticleUniversity Gets $20 Million Donation from a Man Who Dropped Out 58 Years Ago Due to Lack of Funds
03/13/2021
Calvin Tyler, a Morgan University alum who left the HBCU before graduating has donated a whopping sum of $20 million for a tuition fund for students unable to pay for college. Tyler’s donation comes as other philanthropists have made major gifts to education, including Robert F. Smith, who paid off the student loans of an entire graduating class and their parents at Morehouse University.
Read ArticleStudent Freedom Initiative Names Mark A. Brown as Executive Director
03/11/2021
Student Freedom Initiative today announced the selection of Mark A. Brown to serve as Executive Director. Chairman Robert F. Smith applauded the selection.
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