Do not let the evening news convince you that the world is a dark and dismal place. Many hard-working, loyal, and inspiring individuals are doing their best to improve the quality of life of other people. One such person is Robert J. Smith, billionaire investor, and philanthropist.
Smith is the founder of Vista Equity Partners, an international investment firm with more than $46 billion in software management. Additionally, he’s the first and only African-American business leader to sign “The Giving Pledge.” The campaign intends to recruit billionaires into giving away half of their fortune to charity.
According to GoodNewsNetwork, Smith was wrapping up his commencement speech to the graduating class of Morehouse College when he announced that he’d also be paying off the student loan debt amassed by the 396 seniors.
Morehouse is an all men’s, historically black private college in Atlanta, Georgia. According to reports, the average student racks up debt in the multi-thousand dollar range. Thanks to Smith, though, about $40 million of debt will be erased for the graduating students.
The students and the audience cheered when they heard the good news. Smith concluded his address with sharing his hope that the graduate students would find a way to pay it forward in the future.
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