Priority Initiatives to Support Economic Justice
Robert F. Smith supports a wide variety of priority initiatives, which work to create economic justice. Specifically, economic justice can only be achieved by building systemic and sustainable solutions for communities throughout the U.S. that lack access to opportunities. These priority initiatives are designed to provide pathways to educational, professional and economic opportunities, building thriving communities of color.
Approach
These priority initiatives target Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), which produce 20% of all Black graduates, as well as the six Southern communities that are home to more than 50% of all Black Americans. Additionally, they connect over 25,000 students to paid internships at over 300 corporate partners, support our national parks to provide everyone with access to the benefits of the great outdoors and important Black history landmarks and open pathways to opportunity in music, the arts and more.
Partner Organizations
Student Freedom Initiative
Student Freedom Initiative (SFI) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that provides a catalyst for freedom in professional and life choices for students attending HBCUs and other Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs). This is achieved by increasing their social and economic mobility via affordable access to a college education, hands-on professional and life training, integrated student services and technology enhancement.
Southern Communities Initiative
Southern Communities Initiative (SCI) is a catalytic consortium to accelerate racial equity in six Southern communities home to over 50% of all Black Americans in ways that are locally led, measured and sustained. SCI partners with community leaders, companies and philanthropic organizations to implement measures to improve community resources.
Fund II Foundation
Fund II Foundation is an organization that was established to make grants to public charities to advance social change. In partnership with the National Park Foundation, Fund II Foundation formed the Fund II Civil Rights Historic Preservation program to bolster the work of national park sites tied to Civil Rights history and stories. Projects under this program include the Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument and the restoration of the Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site. Fund II Foundation also supports programs and organizations that expand access to music education and the arts, including the Sphinx Organization and Carnegie Hall.
internXL
internXL is a program that matches diverse, talented STEM students with top-tier, paid tech internships to provide real-world experience before students graduate. The internXL platform currently supports over 25,000 students searching for their next corporate internships. The platform also offers professional development and certification courses and networking opportunities for students to make valuable connections.
The 2% Solution
The 2% Solution focuses on creating lasting, generational change for communities throughout the U.S. that lack access to opportunities. This economic catalyst encourages companies to invest 2% of their profits over the next 10 years to help eliminate the racial wealth gap between white and Black households across the U.S.
Helpful Documentation
World Economic Forum Information
At the 2023 World Economic Forum (WEF), Smith addressed the five ways businesses can work to address and expand access to opportunity for all. These actionable steps focus on strategies that businesses can implement into their governing structures and value creation plans to increase opportunities for those from communities that lack access to opportunities.
Business Case for Diversity
Diversity has the power to ignite change, uplift communities that lack opportunities and foster a more equitable world. In today’s dynamic corporate landscape, diversity is not merely a buzzword — it is critical for organizational success. Discover how prioritizing diversity can expand your organization’s talent pool, enhance employee retention, fuel innovation and more.
