In 2019, Robert F. Smith eliminated the student debt of the entire Morehouse College Class of 2019, including debt incurred by their parents on their behalf. This was one of many philanthropic contributions Smith has made over the years to support education reform initiatives. During his commencement speech, in which he made this announcement, he asked only one thing in return from the students: to pay it forward to future generations.
Dr. Ross D. Jordan was among the students who benefited. Graduating debt-free allowed him to continue his education without the financial burden of student debt. He went on to earn a master’s degree in curriculum and teaching from Teachers College, Columbia University and a Ph.D. in kinesiology from The Ohio State University.
Inspired by Smith’s call to action, Dr. Jordan founded the Pay It Forward Project, a 501(c)3 organization focused on helping students feel a sense of belonging within the Historically Black College and University (HBCU) community.
About the Pay It Forward Project
The Pay It Forward Project aims to extend a legacy of service while expanding access to higher education. It supports high school students through programs focused on exposure, preparation and community, including:
- Educational enrichment experiences
- Exposure to HBCUs and college life
- Leadership development
- Community engagement
One way the organization has helped students discover higher education is through its Born to Belong HBCU Bus Tour. This experience helps students imagine their future lives as HBCU students by bringing them to college campuses. The goal is to build confidence in these students and reinforce that they belong in these spaces.
“I called it the ‘Born to Belong Tour,’ because when we go into these spaces, I want them to be themselves. Be your authentic self because you were born for this moment. You belong,” Dr. Jordan shared during an interview on WFAA – Dallas.
How Smith Has Continued to Help Students Pursue Higher Education
To continue helping students reach their educational goals, Smith created Student Freedom Initiative (SFI) in 2020 as a scalable solution to the problem of student debt. SFI was launched with a $50 million donation from Fund II Foundation, and an additional $50 million contribution from Smith.
SFI is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring freedom in professional and life choices for students attending HBCUs, other Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) and Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs). Through the Student Freedom Loan Agreement (SFLA), SFI offers eligible students from participating universities access to funds to pay for a portion of the student’s educational expenses. SFI also offers programming to help students find internships and the Student Investment Program (SIP), which provides students with additional financial help after they complete a financial literacy course.
In addition to supporting SFI, Smith has also made donations to support students attending each of his alma mater institutions. He donated a total of $45 million to Cornell University’s engineering school, helping students access scholarships and participate in mentorship programs. In recognition of his leadership, Cornell renamed the school the Robert Frederick Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering.
Smith has also supported students of Columbia Business School by donating $25 million in total, helping expand the campus and establishing a scholarship fund for university students.
Learn more about how Smith supports education reform with his philanthropy on YouTube and LinkedIn.