In the Press
Read the latest news mentions about Robert F. Smith and his business and giving to support his communities.
Carnegie Hall's Historical Archival Collections Named as Carnegie Hall Susan W. Rose Archives
02/09/2021
Carnegie Hall recently announced that its historical archival collections have been named as the Carnegie Hall Susan W. Rose Archives in recognition of her long standing support of the Hall’s Archives. Robert F. Smith — Chairman of Carnegie Hall’s Board of Trustees — praised Mrs. Rose’s contributions and enthusiasm for the Hall’s history.
Read ArticleNational Park Foundation Celebrates 20 Years of Preserving Black History and Culture in National Parks
02/08/2021
The National Park Foundation (NPF) recently announced the celebration of the 20th anniversary of it’s African American Experience Fund throughout 2021. Robert F. Smith has worked with the Fund II Foundation to purchase homes where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was born and lived to preserve and share the critical pieces of American history in perpetuity.
Read ArticleDeon Taylor to Direct “Freedom Ride” About John Lewis-Led Group Who Risked Lives to Desegregate Deep South in 1961
02/04/2021
An upcoming film “Freedom Ride” will be set in 1961 and detail the actions of young activists — led by late U.S. Congressman John Lewis — during the Civil Rights Movement. Robert F. Smith will be one of the executive producers.
Read ArticleNBC Stars Kevin Durant and Chris Paul Invest in Banking App Goalsetter
01/25/2021
Start-up financial tech company Goalsetter raised $3.9 million in a seed round that includes Robert F. Smith. The company’s uniqueness centers around financial literacy, especially among Black youth.
Read ArticleGoalsetter Raises #3.9 Million to Teach Financial Literacy to Kids
01/25/2021
Goalsetter, a platform that helps parents teach their kids financial literacy, announced the raise of a $3.9 million seed round. The company — invested in by Robert F. Smith — helps children of all ages learn economic concepts, lingo and the principles of financial health.
Read ArticleBillionaire Philanthropist Robert F. Smith Creates Plan for HBCU Loan Repayment
01/07/2021
Black students are disproportionately impacted by student loan debt. Robert F. Smith is helping give students at HBCUs the opportunity to choose different student loan repayment options.
Read ArticleHe Paid Off $34 Million of Student Loans—Now, He Has a New Proposal
01/06/2021
Robert F. Smith is well known for his donation to Morehouse College to pay off the student loan debt of an entire graduating class. But he’s also taking steps to help future graduates cut down on their student loans and give them more options for repayment.
Read ArticleNew Denver High School Modeled After HBCUs
01/04/2021
A new public high school founded upon the principles of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) is scheduled to open its doors in Denver in fall 2021. The Robert F. Smith STEAM Academy will take an interdisciplinary project-based approach to education.
Read ArticleBillionaire Robert F. Smith to Launch Alternative Student Loan Program for HBCUs to Help Close Racial Wealth Gap
01/04/2021
Robert F. Smith is now set to establish an alternative student loan program for HBCU students with the goal of helping mitigate the racial wealth gap. The Student Freedom Initiative will begin in Fall 2021 and offer funding to junior and seniors in STEM majors.
Read ArticleForbes Diversity and Inclusion Awards 2020: The 2% Solution to Racial Inequality
01/02/2021
The Forbes Diversity and Inclusion Awards recognize Robert F. Smith’s 2% solution. Smith has called on corporations to commit 2% of net income over the next decade into institutions that serve the Black community.
Read ArticlePrincipal Shares Vision for new Denver High School Modeled After Historically Black Colleges
12/30/2020
The Robert F. Smith STEAM Academy will open in far northeast Denver next fall. The high school is modeled after historically Black colleges and universities.
Read ArticleAlternative Student Loan Initiative Launched to Aid HBCUS
12/28/2020
STEM majors at nine Historically Black Colleges and Universities may get the financial assistance from an alternative student loan program started by Robert F. Smith. The Student Freedom Initiative expects to offer about $32,000 on average to each student across their junior and senior years.
Read ArticleBusinessman Robert F. Smith to Open STEAM Education School in Denver
12/27/2020
The Robert F. Smith STEAM Academy will open in Denver this year, it was created as a safe space where students from marginalized communities could be equipped with the skills and resources needed to thrive in the STEAM space. Smith wanted to cultivate a learning environment where Black students could see themselves reflected.
Read ArticleBillionaire Robert F. Smith Opening School Based On HBCU Principles
12/21/2020
Denver-native Robert F. Smith has opened a STEAM academy in his hometown. The school — founded on the principles of historically Black colleges and universities — will focus on Blackness, inclusion and interdisciplinary focus for its students.
Read ArticleNew Robert F. Smith STEAM Academy Provides HBCU Experience In Denver
12/18/2020
Robert F. Smith, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Vista Equity Partners and Denver-native has created a new high school in the city. The Robert F. Smith STEAM Academy is founded on the principles of historically Black colleges and universities and will embrace science, technology, engineering, arts and math.
Read ArticleBlack Billionaire Robert F. Smith Pledged $1 Million To Support Black Accountants
12/16/2020
Robert F. Smith’s latest move to increase racial representation in financial services is to donate $1 million to the National Society of Black CPAs. Less than 1% of CPAs in the U.S. are Black, and this gift will help the organization increase the number of Black students who sit for and pass the CPA exam.
Read ArticleShifting Corporate Culture In 2021: 5 Tactics To Foster A More Inclusive Internal Workplace
12/15/2020
Black Enterprise explores the best practices of creating more inclusive workplaces in the modern era. Robert F. Smith — a leading voice on racial justice in private industry — has proposed one tactic: companies ensure at least 50% of incoming intern classes have diverse candidates including Black employees.
Read ArticleFair Count donates $15,000 directly to GA families for food relief
12/02/2020
Robert F. Smith and the Fund II Foundation sponsored a Fair Count effort to help feed Georgia families, helping provide funds that will help feed 513 people in need.
Read ArticleHe Paid Off Morehouse Grads’ Debt. Now Robert Smith Is Trying Income-Based Financing at HBCUs
12/01/2020
Robert F. Smith has been outspoken about the student loan crisis, and his new initiative the Student Freedom Initiative is aiming to provide new financing options for students at HBCUs.
Read ArticleNew Initiative Looks to Reduce Student Debt at Select HBCUs
11/23/2020
The Student Freedom Initiative, a nonprofit started by Robert F. Smith, announced the HBCUs it will partner with during its first year to help students of color access alternatives to high-interest student loans.
Read ArticleMeet the Speakers for the DealBook Online Summit
11/12/2020
Robert F. Smith spoke about what should be done to advance Black economic success, including addressing student loan debt and modernizing our banking systems, at The New York Times DealBook Online Summit which took place November 17-18, 2020.
Read ArticleVista Equity Partners Named to Inc.’s 2020 List of “The 50 Best Private Equity Firms for Entrepreneurs and Founders”
10/27/2020
Vista Equity Partners, of which Robert F. Smith is Founder, Chairman, and CEO, was named to Inc.’s “Private Equity 50” list that recognizes Vista as “a firm that entrepreneurs can trust, partner with on new strategies and operational best practices and receive capital to invest in products and solutions as well as organic and inorganic growth.”
Read ArticleBuilding on Past Work, Robert F. Smith Gives Big Again for HBCU Student Debt
10/22/2020
Inside Philanthropy explores Robert F. Smith’s long history of philanthropy and highlights his most recent announcement -- a personal gift of $50 million to the Student Freedom Initiative, which will help create paid internships, tutoring and mentorships for HBCU students.
Read ArticleRobert F. Smith to Donate $50 Million to Support STEM Students at HBCUs Via the Student Freedom Initiative
10/22/2020
After helping launch the Student Freedom Initiative earlier this year to help reduce the student loan debt of Black and Latinx students, Robert F. Smith explains why he made a $50 million personal gift to the initiative to help provide new internship and mentorship opportunities.
Read ArticleJay-Z and Meek Mill’s Reform Alliance Makes Key Hires
10/08/2020
The REFORM Alliance — a criminal justice reform organization of which Robert F. Smith is a Founding Partner — recently landed its first major legislative victory with California Governor Gavin Newsom signing AB 1950 into law. The law, which the REFORM Alliance led advocacy efforts for, limits adult probation sentence maximums to one year for misdemeanors and two years for felonies.
Read ArticleNEC and Vista Equity Partners Establish a Joint Venture and Strategic Partnership to Aid Digital Transformation of Businesses in Japan
10/01/2020
Vista Equity Partners, which is headed by Robert F. Smith, formed a new partnership with NEC Corporation to help deliver Vista’s portfolio companies’ software solutions to the Japanese market.
Read ArticleJAY-Z and Meek Mill’s REFORM Alliance Claims Victory as California Enacts New Probation Law
10/01/2020
The criminal justice reform organization, REFORM Alliance, which was founded in part by Robert F. Smith, is marking its first major legislative win as California approved a new law that would limit adult probation sentence maximums to one year for misdemeanors and two years for felonies.
Read ArticleVista’s Robert Smith says there are more opportunities in private markets than public right now
09/30/2020
Robert F. Smith spoke at CNBC’s annual “Delivering Alpha” conference and argued that while there’s a good set of enterprise software opportunities in the market right now, many of these opportunities are in the private market.
Read ArticleThree Cornellians Make TIME’s 100 ‘Most Influential People’ 2020 List
09/28/2020
Robert F. Smith is one of three Cornell graduates to be included in the TIME 100 “Most Influential List”, marking the first time the magazine’s list includes three Cornell alumni.
Read Article7 change-making Texans named to Time's 100 Most Influential People 2020
09/24/2020
Robert F. Smith is one of seven Texans to be named to TIME 100 “Mos Influential List” in 2020, joining fellow Texans Megan Thee Stallion, General Charles Q. Brown Jr. and Selena Gomez.
Read ArticleRobert F. Smith is on the 2020 Time 100 List
09/23/2020
Read Samuel L. Jackson and Latanya Richardson Jackson on why Smith’s philanthropy and work to advance racial equality makes him one of the most influential people.
Read ArticleTime's 100 Most Influential People list features Dr. Anthony Fauci, Black Lives Matter founders
09/23/2020
Robert F. Smith was named to Time’s 100 Most Influential People of 2020 in recognition of his philanthropic work.
Read ArticleDelivering Alpha 2020 Agenda
09/23/2020
Robert F. Smith joins CNBC for their annual Alpha conference to talk about strategies and solution for achieving high-returns on investments.
Read ArticleInside The Massive New Effort To Get Minorities On Corporate Boards
09/17/2020
Robert F. Smith as CEO, Founder and President of Vista Equity is helping lead the charge to increase diversity on corporate boards by creating 5 new board seats.
Read ArticleBishop Daniel Findikyan Elected to Appeal of Conscience Foundation Board
09/10/2020
Robert F. Smith is being awarded the Armenian Church of America’s “Appeal of Conscience Award” for his work in supporting our communities during the global pandemic.
Read ArticleBlack Medical Schools To Receive $100 Million from Michael Bloomberg
09/04/2020
Robert F. Smith commends Bloomberg Philanthropies commitment to give $100 million to four Black medical schools to reduce the gap in systemic economic inequality between Black Americans and their white counterparts.
Read ArticleWhat Black Business Owners Need Most Right Now, According to Black Business Owners
08/24/2020
Inc. explores what black business owners need to rebuild after COVID-19 and spotlights Robert F. Smith call for corporate America to step up and take steps to address structural racism and access to capital for communities of color.
Read ArticleU.S. companies should consider slavery reparations, Vista Equity CEO says
08/12/2020
Robert F. Smith argues that companies who benefited from slavery should consider paying reparations.
Read ArticleBillionaire Robert Smith Urges Corporations To Take ‘Action’ On Reparations
08/12/2020
Robert F. Smith calls on private companies that benefited from the slave trade to take action and make reparations to African-Americans.
Read ArticleNational Museum of African American History Wants to Document Your COVID-19 and Black Lives Matter Stories
07/30/2020
The Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) launched “Voices Of Resistance And Hope,” an online platform, hosted by the NMAAHC’s Robert F. Smith Fund Community Curation Platform, where the Black community can submit and share their experiences during COVID-19 and the Black Lives Matter movement.
Read ArticleNew Prostate Test Could Help African American Men
07/29/2020
Robert F. Smith and the Prostate Cancer Foundation have partnered to develop a new non-invasive and early detection test to help doctors diagnose the cancer at an early, less severe stage and to reduce the number of deaths from prostate cancer, which disproportionately affects African American men.
Read ArticleBillionaire Created a Perfect Experiment by Erasing $34 Million in Student Debt
07/24/2020
One year after Robert F. Smith pledged to pay off Morehouse College’s class of 2019 student loans, Bloomberg explores the ramifications of this commitment and the different opportunities that opened for students who graduated without student loan debt.
Read ArticleNon-profit Detroit Tech Training Program Offers Job Placement to Help Diversify Workforce
07/23/2020
NPower is a Detroit-based IT training program that is providing certification, internships and job placement opportunities for Detroit-area students. The program is mainly funded by the Fund II Foundation, which is backed by Robert F. Smith who wants to help increase workforce diversity and connect underserved students with high tech, high quality jobs.
Read ArticleInside Town & Country’s 2020 Philanthropy Summit
07/21/2020
Watch Robert F. Smith talk with Van Jones, CEO of the REFORM Alliance, about criminal justice reform, racism and the hope for the next generation of Black youth.
Read ArticleHow to Turn Our Collective Outrage into Action
07/15/2020
Robert F. Smith lays out how the private sector can embrace its role in addressing structural racism.
Read ArticleOP-ED: Eradicate Systemic Racism Together
07/07/2020
Robert F. Smith pens an op-ed for The Afro on seven specific ways we can work together to end systemic racism.
Read ArticleThe Man Who Paid Off the Student Debt of 400 Morehouse University Graduates Has A New Initiative To Help Borrowers
07/04/2020
After pledging to pay off the student debt of roughly 400 graduates of Morehouse College in 2019, Robert F. Smith launched another initiative to help Black college students afford higher education.
Read ArticleBillionaire Robert Smith Calls On Corporations To Adopt His 2% ‘Reparative’ Plan For Black People
07/01/2020
Robert F. Smith proposes that America’s corporations allocate 2% of profits over the next ten years to invest in technology, education, telecom, banking and health care systems that support Black communities in order to address structural racism.
Read ArticleClearlake, Insight, Vista and other private equity firms create 50 new board roles for diverse candidates
06/30/2020
Robert F. Smith talks about the importance of having a diverse board, and how he is working to bring more voices to the table.
Read ArticleNetflix Shifts 2% Of Its Huge Cash Pile To Financial Institutions Serving Black Communities
06/30/2020
In June 2020, Robert F. Smith called on major institutions to invest 2% of their net income in Black communities. Now, Netflix and other major companies are doing just that.
Read ArticleHow Robert F. Smith helped thousands of minority-owned small businesses secure urgent aid in Washington
06/25/2020
Robert F. Smith recalls the impact of Black-owned businesses closing in his community during his childhood, and talks with the Washington Post about how we can help them get through the current COVID-19 crisis.
Read ArticleRobert F. Smith aims to ease debt for students at historically black colleges
06/25/2020
Robert F. Smith talks to Fox Business about his new program “the Student Freedom Initiative,” which seeks to reduce the burden of student debt at historically-Black colleges.
Read ArticlePhilanthropy for protests against racial injustice are pouring in
06/19/2020
In the wake of the tragedies impacting Black people in America, Robert F. Smith and other philanthropists contributed resources to help achieve justice and change.
Read ArticleBillionaire who paid off Morehouse student loans: I still experience racism
06/17/2020
Robert F. Smith opened up to Yahoo! Finance about his own experiences with racism in America and the need to commit to change.
Read ArticleHow Robert F. Smith, the Wealthiest Black American, Is Making Change
06/17/2020
When the pandemic hit, Robert F. Smith rolled up his sleeves and committed to helping those most affected by this crisis weather the storm.
Read ArticleCapital available from PPP to help minority businesses survive: Billionaire Robert F. Smith
06/17/2020
Black businesses have been some of the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, Robert F. Smith joined Fox Business to talk about how we ensure they get the help they need.
Read ArticleThe 2% Solution: Inside Billionaire Robert F Smith's Bold Plan to Funnel Billions to America's Black-Owned Businesses
06/16/2020
Robert F. Smith discussed his bold plan to transform America’s economy to work better for the Black community with Forbes.
Read ArticleIn Moving Talk, America's Top Black Business Figure Envisions The Blessings That Can Emerge from the Current Tragedies
06/06/2020
Robert F. Smith talks to Forbes about using the COVID-19 pandemic as an opportunity for reflection on how we can build a better future for Black Americans.
Read ArticleRead the Memo Private-Equity Titan Robert F. Smith, the Richest Black Man in the US, Sent to His Staff About America’s Racial Unrest
06/01/2020
Robert F. Smith shared a powerful and deeply personal message with his staff after the killing of George Floyd.
Read ArticleA Statement from Robert F. Smith on the Death of George Floyd
06/01/2020
In a candid and powerful letter to the Vista Equity Partners team, Robert F. Smith acknowledged the pain our country is experiencing and called for change.
Read ArticleVista Partners Founder Calls for a Fintech Revolution to Help Pandemic-Hit, Minority-Owned Small Businesses
05/10/2020
Minority-owned businesses have been hit particularly hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, Robert F. Smith joined Meet the Press to discuss how we can help them recover.
Read ArticleRobert F. Smith Talks Debt at Davos After Clearing Loans at Morehouse
01/24/2020
Robert F. Smith hopes that his gift to the Morehouse College graduating class will allow them to share in the generational wealth that has been out of reach for too many African American families.
Read ArticleFive Business Lessons for Young Professionals From the Nation’s Wealthiest African American, Robert F. Smith
10/15/2019
In this Black Enterprise piece, Robert F. Smith shares some tips and life lessons with the next generation of business leaders.
Read ArticleWho Is Robert F. Smith? Learn More About the Billionaire Whose Generosity Shocked a Graduating Class
05/19/2019
TIME Magazine profiles Robert F. Smith after his announcement that he would eliminate the student debt of an entire graduating class.
Read ArticleWho Is Robert F. Smith, the Man Paying Off Morehouse Graduates’ Loans?
05/19/2019
This New York Times piece profiles Robert F. Smith, the man behind the surprise Morehouse College grant to eliminate the student debt of an entire class.
Read Article