Videos
As a businessman, engineer and philanthropist, Robert F. Smith has been invited to speak on a wide range of topics, including the private equity and the investment industries, education, social justice and more.
On February 29, 2024, Robert F. Smith, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Vista Equity Partners (Vista), moderated a panel discussion at the 7th Annual Women’s Business Leadership in Technology Conference at Columbia Business School. During this discussion, Smith and Vista portfolio executives Amy Kadomatsu, Cory Munchbach and Vista Senior Vice President Shannon Bracken spoke about generative artificial intelligence (AI) and the impact it will have on organizations in the future. In addition, they shared their thoughts on enabling AI to become more efficient within the management of their respective companies and how to advance the future of inclusivity and diversity in tech and leadership.
At Invest Fest 2023, Robert F. Smith discussed the role that critical thinking and analytical skills play when it comes to creating a successful life. Smith explained how good habits are necessary to build a strong foundation from which one can learn desired skills.
At Invest Fest 2023, Robert F. Smith discussed the different values placed on capital versus labor in the U.S. and how one can effectively leverage their capacity to grow their capital. He referenced his own experience of learning how capital works throughout his early career, and how he thinks about this now in his current role as Founder, Chairman and CEO of Vista Equity Partners.
At Invest Fest 2023, Robert F. Smith discussed how to leverage an individual’s debt in ways that can help create a stronger financial future. Smith further explained how capitalism works and its impact on today’s financial world.
At Invest Fest 2023, Robert F. Smith discussed the challenges and racial barriers that individuals in the Black community face when it comes to obtaining small business loans. Smith spoke about the importance of modernizing the capillary banking system through technology upgrades in order to create a better future for the Black community.
At Invest Fest 2023, Robert F. Smith discussed his hopes for the future of the Black community in the U.S. Smith also spoke about what can be done within the community now to break down racial equity barriers within education, healthcare, banking systems and more.
At Invest Fest 2023, Robert F. Smith discussed the gift of paying off the entire student loan debt of the 2019 graduating class of Morehouse College and their guardians. Smith also spoke about the importance and impact that overall debt liberation can have on an individual. He also explained why he feels a duty to give back to others, and encouraged everyone to give back in any way that they can.
At Invest Fest 2023, Robert F. Smith discussed how Student Freedom Initiative was created to make college more affordable at HBCUs and other MSIs. Smith also explained the lasting burden that student loan debt has on both parents and students who pursue higher education and their parents.
At Invest Fest 2023, Robert F. Smith discussed the importance of building habits and courage at a young age. Smith went on to explain that by pairing these two together, you can create a foundation that can help you overcome challenges in life.
At Invest Fest 2023, Robert F. Smith discussed the different ways you can invest your money to create generational wealth. Smith discussed the value that can be generated by investment pathways like employer contribution plans, including 401k plans and Roth IRAs, which can help build equity for your future.
Latest News
Robert F. Smith at the 2023 Concordia Annual Summit
Robert F. Smith’s Speech for the 60th Anniversary of March on Washington
Robert F. Smith delivered a speech at Grameen America’s first branch opened in Atlanta, GA. During this speech, Smith spoke about generational wealth and the many barriers that Black female entrepreneurs face when wanting to start a business. Smith went into further detail about his work with Southern Communities Initiative (SCI). He also stated that Grameen America is a crucial aspect of SCI and its mission to advance racial equity in Black communities in the six Southern U.S. communities that it serves.
In December 2022, Robert F. Smith sat down with Earn Your Leisure to speak about his childhood experiences, including those that impacted his education. Smith further explained how his educational opportunities differed from others in his neighborhood, as he had access to transportation to attend school. Smith also noted how his educational experiences shaped his life and his future career path to success.
In December 2022, Robert F. Smith sat down with Earn Your Leisure to explain the difficulties when it comes to banking for communities that lack access to opportunities. Smith went into detail, discussing the barriers they face, including not even individuals receiving loans in certain areas.
In December 2022, Robert F. Smith spoke about his donation to Morehouse College and the great impact it made on the lives of these students and their parents. Smith went into detail about how important it is to expand broadband internet access at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and beyond.
Robert F. Smith spoke on CNBC’s Discover Black Heritage to recognize Black History Month and the challenges that the Black community still faces today when it comes to the digital divide. Smith passionately advocated for all to have access to broadband internet that is reliable and affordable.
Robert F. Smith sat down with MSNBC’s Symone Sanders during her Living Black History series. During this interview, Smith went into detail about the importance of financial inclusion for communities that lack access to opportunities and some of the challenges that they face. Smith also advocated for more representation of Black individuals in media outlets across the U.S. to set an example for future generations to come.