The AfroNouveau 100
In 2019, the world stilled when Robert F. Smith, a leader in philanthropy,the richest Black man in America, did something unimaginable at Morehouse college graduation stage. Smith paid off the student loan debt of the entire graduating class reported to be $34 million. This wasn’t a PR stunt, neither was it a fleeting gesture. Rather, it was a declaration of Robert F. Smith’s philanthropy. A message to the AfroNouveau communities that Black wealth is not only possible but also purposeful.
From Denver to Billionaire: The Rise of Robert F. Smith’s Philanthropy
Robert F. Smith’s journey as an philanthropist began in Denver, Colorado to two educators who earned PhDs, Smith was raised in a household where one strived towards excellence and giving back to the community. Unlike many who follow a traditional academic path, Smith followed a road less traveled. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering where he won the Procter and Gamble Technical Excellence Award for chemical engineering. Afterwards, he worked in investment banking at Goldman Sachs and eventually founded Vista Equity Partners.
Vista’s Success remains profound as the company manages over $90 billion in assets, becoming one of the most successful private equity firms in the world. Smith focuses on finding value where others overlook it, nurture this value with vision and scale it with precision. This kind of disciplined focus resonates strongly with the AfroNouveau spirit to be bold, strategic and rooted in excellence.
Black Capital and the Power of Robert F. Smith’s Philanthropy
What takes Smith’s story from Ordinary to extraordinary isn’t just the numbers. It is also his unwavering commitment to using wealth as a tool for transformation. Through his nonprofit, the Fund II Foundation, Smith has invested in establishing the African American Health Equity Initiative with a $27 million donation in 2016. He’s also leading the “Student Freedom Initiative”, a program that offers income based support for students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and other Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs). Thereby, reducing the weight of debt that crushes potential before it blooms.
“You are enough to be who you want to be and to create what you want to create.”
In Smith’s world, one must not only find emotional or spiritual liberation but also financial liberation. Based on this, he is working hard to build systems and invest so the next generation of AfroNouveau leaders don’t have to start from the scratch.
Wealth with a Familiar Face
Despite his billionaire status, Smith remains grounded in values that reflect both African cultural spirit and diasporic responsibility.
“We will only grasp the staggering potential of our time if we create on-ramps that empower all people to participate, regardless of background, country of origin, religious practice, gender or color of skin”.
In an age where flashy affairs overshadows quiet impact, Smith offers a rare model of power with humility. He’s a familiar face with a mission to create access, opportunity and dignity for Black people everywhere.
The AfroNouveau of Giving Back
Robert F. Smith exemplifies that Black excellence doesn’t stop at the top of the ladder; it extends a hand down and pulls others up. His life challenges the idea that wealth is individualistic. For him, wealth is a communal currency for the transformation of generational narratives.
“I am showing the current generations of African Americans they can do it, too. So the next generation can go even higher.”
As we celebrate Robert F. Smith, we also celebrate a future where AfroNouveau brilliance isn’t exceptional– it’s expected.
Join us as we celebrate Robert F. Smith and 99 more AfroNouveau change makers showing the next generation that they can do it too.
