In the Press
Read the latest news mentions about Robert F. Smith and his business and giving to support his communities.
NAN Convention to Bring Together VP Harris, Tyler Perry, Kerry Washington, Magic Johnson and More
04/03/2023
The annual convention of the National Action Network (NAN) is taking place in New York City, featuring a four-day summit aimed at discussing threats to democracy and galvanizing the Civil Rights Movement. Speakers include the Reverend Al Sharpton, Vice President Kamala Harris, Tyler Perry, Robert F. Smith and other leaders in business, civil rights, education and entertainment.
Read ArticleThe Only HBCU In Oklahoma—Langston University—Cleared $4.5M In Student Debt Loan
03/29/2023
Langston University, a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in Oklahoma, recently announced it would clear over $4.5 million of the school’s student debt balances using funds from the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund. The University’s decisions follow on other initiatives to unburden underrepresented students of college debt, including the announcement from businessman and philanthropist Robert F. Smith in 2019 that he would pay the outstanding tuition costs of Morehouse College’s graduating class.
Read ArticleVista Equity Partners’s Robert F. Smith Talks Tech, Community and Giving Back
03/20/2023
Robert F. Smith, the Founder, Chairman and CEO of Vista Equity Partners, participated in the inaugural Dean’s Distinguished Lecture Series at Yale School of Management in a conversation moderated by Dean Kerwin K. Charles. During the talk, Smith discussed his career path from engineering to private equity and explained his commitment to philanthropy. Smith also encouraged students to foster workplaces and communities where all people can flourish.
Read ArticleHow Genealogy Can Help Restore Historical Ties Through Meaningful Diaspora Engagement
03/09/2023
Genealogy is critical to understanding one's familial past, and our shared history more broadly. The Robert F. Smith Explore Your Family History Center at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of African American History and Culture is a valuable resource that offers free genealogy expert consultations for those interested in tracing their ancestry.
Read ArticleLiving Black History: A Conversation With Robert Smith
02/11/2023
For her series, Living Black History, Symone Sanders featured Robert F. Smith, the wealthiest Black person in the U.S. and a noted philanthropist. In the interview, RFS shares why financial literacy in Black and brown communities is important and the example he hopes to set for the next generations.
Read ArticleFacilitating the Next Golden Age of Black Business
02/08/2023
Growing awareness of racial inequities in the economy has led leaders in finance, philanthropy, government and corporate America to invest in Black business. An example of one such leader is Robert F. Smith, founder, chairman and CEO of Vista Equity Partners, who recently launched a program with Stackwell and Prudential to provide 500 students at HBCU and minority-serving institutions with $1,000 grants to invest in an effort to help mitigate the racial wealth gap.
Read ArticleBillionaire Robert Smith, Who Paid Student Debt For Morehouse, Partners With Author Deepak Chopra To Empower Black Communities
02/07/2023
Renowned businessman and philanthropist Robert F. Smith is partnering with author Deepak Chopra on a new initiative called The Soul of Leadership to help foster mental health and leadership development among Black youth.
Read ArticleDeepak Chopra And Robert F. Smith Launch Initiative To Bolster Leadership and Mental Wellness In The Black Community
02/03/2023
Businessman and philanthropist Robert F. Smith has teamed up with author Deepak Chopra on a newly announced initiative called The Soul of Leadership. The program will focus on mental health and leadership development within the Black community.
Read ArticleThe Chopra Foundation and Philanthropist Robert F. Smith Launch The Soul of Leadership Initiative
01/26/2023
In partnership with Robert F. Smith and the NeverAlone movement, the Chopra Foundation is launching The Soul of Leadership initiative aimed at fostering mental well-being and leadership development within the Black community. The Soul of Leadership will focus on providing mental health services and leadership development courses to support Black entrepreneurs, specifically Black youth.
Read ArticleFrom Uniondale to Carnegie Hall
01/26/2023
After watching a video of the Uniondale High School Show Choir, Robert F. Smith invited the group to perform at the Fifteen Days of Light event at Carnegie Hall on Dec. 18.
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