Robert Smith Archives - Black Enterprise

Despite Political and Financial Challenges, the Country’s Largest Black-Owned Businesses Thrive in 2019

Jeffrey McKinneyAugust 9, 2019August 9, 2019

by Jeffrey McKinneyAugust 9, 2019August 9, 20191069

The BE 100s—BLACK ENTERPRISE's annual listing of the nation’s largest black-owned businesses—are keeping up with a changing business landscape....

Entrepreneurship

The Next Robert F. Smith? The Other Black-Owned Private Equity Firm Making Boss Financial Moves

Derek T. DingleJuly 24, 2019July 24, 2019

by Derek T. DingleJuly 24, 2019July 24, 20197893

ICV Partners L.L.C. is a black-owned, New York-based private equity firm that is becoming as much as a success story as Robert F. Smith's equity...

Entrepreneurship

Billionaire Robert F. Smith Has History of Financial Activism Beyond Morehouse

Samara LynnMay 20, 2019

by Samara LynnMay 20, 20192162

Robert F. Smith, recognized with an honorary degree from Morehouse along with award-winning actress Angela Basset, has undertaken severals charitable acts....

Entrepreneurship

Black Billionaire Robert F. Smith, Just Made Another $3 Billion with Sell to Adobe

Samara LynnSeptember 24, 2018October 2, 2018

by Samara LynnSeptember 24, 2018October 2, 2018961

Vista Equity, the private equity firm launched by black billionaire and engineer Robert F. Smith, announced it is selling a cloud-service company it purchased in...

Entrepreneurship

45 GREAT MOMENTS IN BLACK BUSINESS – NO. 12: Vista Equity Partners’ Massive Expansion With Acquisition

Jeffrey McKinneyJune 14, 2018June 26, 2018

by Jeffrey McKinneyJune 14, 2018June 26, 2018401

The largest BE 100s private equity firm, Vista Equity Partners, continued to expand its holdings by acquiring Lithium Technologies last year for an undisclosed amount....

Arts and Culture Lifestyle

This Black Billionaire’s $20 Million Gift to NMAAHC Highlights Intentional Philanthropy

Halima Leak FrancisOctober 4, 2016October 14, 2016

by Halima Leak FrancisOctober 4, 2016October 14, 2016240

At a time when we feel the sting of tragedies fueled by racial injustices almost daily, our intentional philanthropy can support sustainable progress....

Entrepreneurship

African American Billionaire Robert F. Smith Named Carnegie Hallâ€™s New Chairman

Carolyn M. BrownJune 23, 2016September 30, 2017

by Carolyn M. BrownJune 23, 2016September 30, 2017444

Robert F. Smith, founder, chairman and chief executive of Vista Equity Partners (No. 1 on the BE100s Private Equity list with $14 billion in capital...

News Technology

Billionaire Robert F. Smith Gives $50 Million to Cornell Engineering School

Samara LynnFebruary 2, 2016September 28, 2017

by Samara LynnFebruary 2, 2016September 28, 2017792

Smith's $50 million will further diversity efforts at Cornell....

Money

Black Wealth: Richest 100 Americans Worth As Much As Total African American Population in U.S.

Stacey TisdaleDecember 9, 2015September 28, 2017

by Stacey TisdaleDecember 9, 2015September 28, 2017304

A new study finds the wealthiest 100 households on the Forbes 400 list of wealthiest Americans own about as much wealth as the entire U.S....

News

BE100s CEO Robert F. Smith Makes Forbes 400 List

Samara LynnOctober 1, 2015September 28, 2017

by Samara LynnOctober 1, 2015September 28, 2017438

BE100s CEO Robert F. Smith is now one of Forbes magazine's 400 richest Americans....