In the Press
Read the latest news mentions about Robert F. Smith and his business and giving to support his communities.
NBC 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.
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