Fireside Chat on Philanthropy with Robert F. Smith

Fireside Chat on Philanthropy

This fireside chat features an intimate conversation with Mr. Robert F. Smith alongside Daymond John and Chris Womack, moderated by CNBC’s Frank Holland, in addition to an intimate one-on-one conversation between Mr. Smith and Mr. Tyler Perry.
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This opportunity offers a rare chance to hear directly from Mr. Smith and his philanthropic peers as they share personal insights, lessons learned, and perspectives on how strategic giving can drive systemic change.
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Seating is limited to preserve the intimacy of the conversation and the quality of access to this extraordinary panel of philanthropic leaders.

A $1,000 donation is required to attend. Donations support the Student Freedom Initiative’s ongoing work to address the HBCU student loan crisis and advance long-term economic mobility for students and families.

All attendees will receive a 100 Level ticket to the HBCU AWAREFEST concert that evening.

Robert F. Smith

Robert F. Smith is the Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Vista Equity Partners. Vista currently manages equity capital commitments of over $100 billion and oversees a portfolio of over 90 enterprise software, data, and technology-enabled companies. In 2023, Vista was named Global Technology Private Equity Firm of the Year by Private Equity International. 

In 2019, he eliminated the student loans of nearly 400 Morehouse College graduates in a commencement address, which he later expanded to eliminate debt held by their guardians on their behalf. After his Morehouse pledge, Smith founded Student Freedom Initiative to relieve the crushing burden of student debt for students at HBCUs, other MSIs, and TCUs. 

Smith is the founding director and President of the Fund II Foundation, dedicated to preserving the African American experience, safeguarding human rights, and sustaining critical American values like entrepreneurship. In 2019, Fund II Foundation launched internXL, a platform to match leading companies with internship candidates from communities that lack access to opportunities. He also co-leads Southern Communities Initiative, a catalytic program to accelerate wealth creation and economic growth in six Southern communities. 

Smith is also a contributor to the book Lead Boldly: Seven Principles from Martin Luther King, Jr., in which Smith reflects on seven of Dr. King’s most impactful speeches, offering his own insights and reflections to bring Dr. King’s lessons to life for a new generation. 

Smith has been named as one of the 2020 TIME 100 Most Influential People in the World, 2025 TIME100’s Most Influential People in Philanthropy, and has been recognized by Forbes as one of the 100 Greatest Living Business Minds.