Tag: Robert F. Smith

HBCUs

New Denver High School Modeled After HBCUs

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.

January 4, 2021

Students

New Initiative Looks to Reduce Student Debt at Select HBCUs

The Student Freedom Initiative has announced a partnership with nine Historically Black Colleges and Universities that will provide an alternative to high-cost college loans in an effort to help students navigate their way through the college.

November 23, 2020

Students

Black Billionaire Starts Program to Ease Student Debt at 11 HBCUs

Robert F. Smith, whom Forbes calls the wealthiest Black person in the U.S., is set to launch an initiative to ease the debt of students at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), reported Time. The Student Freedom Initiative aims to address the disproportionate loan burden on Black students. The program’s partners include Michael Lomax, CEO […]

June 23, 2020

Home

Billionaire Makes Good on Promise to Settle Debt for Morehouse Graduates

Billionaire Robert F. Smith has made good on his promise. On Friday, Morehouse College officials noted that Smith has paid off the loans that the graduating Class of 2019 accumulated at the tune of $34 million. He made the pledge during his commencement address back in May.

September 22, 2019

Opinion

Rethinking Commencement

“What we call the beginning is often the end; and to make an end is to make a beginning. The end is where we start from.” Twenty-five years ago this week, I used those words from T.S. Eliot’s “Little Gidding” to start my high school commencement speech.

June 2, 2019

Students

The Wind is at My Back

As a Morehouse College alumnus, I have been intrigued by the varied reactions to Robert Smith’s multi-million-dollar pledge to wipe clean the student loan debt of the College’s class of ’19. Some people are speechless and heartened by this act. Others have a lot to say about what more could and should be done to address the cost of higher education in generaI. Both reactions are certainly worthy of attention.

May 22, 2019

Latest News

Billionaire Promises to Pay Off Student Debt for Morehouse Graduates

Billionaire investor Robert F. Smith has promised to pay off the student loan debt for this year’s graduating class of Morehouse College.

May 19, 2019

Students

Philanthropist Robert F. Smith Gives $1.5M Gift to Morehouse College

Robert F. Smith, a philanthropist and founder, chairman and CEO of Vista Equity Partners has recently given a $1.5 million gift to Morehouse College to support endowed scholarships and the establishment of a campus park to act as an outdoor study area for students. The college will establish the Robert Frederick Smith Scholars Program in […]

January 17, 2019