Robert F. Smith '94: "Be an expert at your craft."

Robert F. Smith '94, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Vista Equity Partners, speaks with Darius Gant ’17 at the Columbia Black Business Students Association's ELEVATE conference on March 25, 2017.

[@no1no1655]

please people! let's spend our screen time on THIS stuff rather than all the stupidity and negativity available to stream!

[@jamesharris3109]

I love this comment brotha. Thank you for posting it

[@inspirationalpostbyleverso6263]

My new go to guy, don't tell anyone all about your plans, they will take your ideas. Golden interesting interview.

[@DeeTruth415]

Agreed, I learned that the hard way.

[@Phillycheeze101]

Thank you

[@sandisombanjwa2813]

@@DeeTruth415 me too

[@lisaperdue8033]

Youll do it. Done.

[@3EBstudio]

Love it

[@DraLaRoc]

"People have put barriers to us for 100's of years, and they have been thoughtful about it" ......Facts, thank you sir :)

[@wittenberg5]

Great talk. I have to say the people who solicited Robert Smith on stage were super unprofessional, but then again, how many opportunities will you get to pitch a black billionaire. He's right, we have to get into these fields like STEM and private equity and start to create wealth and opportunity for ourselves. Protest won't close the wealth and achievement gap. Sharing hashtags on twitter won't solve our problems. Marches won't solve our problems. We need to start to build. Glad to see people starting to wake up to this fact.

[@isaiahakaic6386]

Tom Smith you're so right. I have even saying that for the past few months. It can start with us. It has to start with us

[@EricJohnsonresign]

How were they super unprofessional?

[@kingchris2346]

Very True will continue to spread this message

[@yoursouljustliftupandgetaw7548]

Rotten Brainz we were expecting you

[@gfunkin2]

You wouldn't be typing this without protests. It had its place and still does. What you're saying is true too but it doesn't have to be either/or.

[@fender1000100]

You see the mindset of this man. And you can see why he is a major success in life. Black people have to turn their backs on ignorance and dysfunction. And move at a different level. Thats the only chance there will ever be to rise.

[@StartTheStory]

Wish it was as easy as saying the few words that you have here. It is improving, however, not nearly fast enough. It is in the mental programs of masses.

[@timbuktu93]

“Ignorance and dysfunction”? Fuck you

[@SamsonBiggz]

Robert F. Smith is one of my heroes. He is a role model for all young black men.

[@philschwartz6874]

No, Robert F. Smith is a role model for ALL men. I'm an older white guy and he is one of my heroes.

[@StartTheStory]

@@philschwartz6874 So, please donate time and money to further the growth of people of color, African Americans. Thank you.

[@jtelegant1ee]

@@philschwartz6874 I here you.... But you must understand us BM have FEW black business GIANTS WHO OPENLY REACH BACK .... "SPECIFICALLY" FOR AFRICAN AMERICAN MEN!!!! 😎😎😎😎😎😎

[@gobye2447]

Yes get rich but don't marry the white woman

[@Antonio-pf9hf]

First and foremost All praises to The Highest, if you think that way you are lost, like Black All street, because our creator came first, no man came first.

[@george_carlos]

17:00 is an incredible story. RFS started Vista because no other PE firm would hire him.

[@Iplayticuw]

After Goldman Sachs?

[@maxoyd11]

Who else is here after Morehouse graduation?

[@MarvinMarshallFit]

Im here

[@dariuskiprotich9094]

Me

[@sherylchapman7809]

Michelle Blackwood yes

[@uruemuesiridjebah8628]

Michelle Blackwood me

[@edenevolution451]

Hand raised

[@nzingha1114]

He's right sometimes you have to move in silence you can't always let everybody know what you doing.

[@christianharbin7979]

I can literally feel Mr. Smith’s energy through the screen. I appreciate how directly he speaks. This is such an awesome interview! I have numerous takeaways I can use from this. Thanks for sharing!

[@hoobartvf1143]

Hoobartvf 12 hours ago Hoobartvfmedia4All London 2020 Open Innovation Program is inviting innovative start-ups to apply and support the growth of new joint business collaboration activities.www.f6s.com

[@jamespharris2494]

I'm interested in hearing & learning more from this champion.

[@rachealkibaiya7593]

James Pharris best thing ever

[@crowdpleaserselector5980]

Salute black excellence 🙏🏾

[@damongwinn]

Brilliant man giving out invaluable words and wisdom.

[@allstarmark12345]

I’ve watched this video 10 times Over the past few years. Material is golden. Robert Smith is an incredible motivator and I love it!

[@shodapad07]

It's worth it. For real.

[@CurvaLish]

Right. I’m rewatching right now. It’s my 8th time.

[@traceydixon6230]

He won my heart when he advocated for music education. ☺️

[@agreen0401]

Book title: “They Don’t” 😂. Best title ever! Thank you for sharing this video. Going to listen ten more times!

[@taylorchastain6321]

Not one slang word, not one. Love this man.

[@bemartythree6589]

Doesn't he sound great.

[@stevenhenry75]

Right, so slang is apart of the African American culture, similar to a dialect or a patois. You can use a perfected standard "American" English to be understood amongst mixed cultures, then use slang(African american dialects and vernacular) when your among your own culture and be understood there as well. Also, as a black person you can use perfect standard english to communicate with each other. Either option if fine. Your comment is tantamount to demeaning a Jamaican person by thinking he is smart for speaking grammatically correct standard English in a mixed group setting, even though he switchs to a hard patois and Jamaican dialect when he is amongst other Jamaicans. I am an African American Male and I am proud of my communities slang, dialect, and creative use of the English language. Most African Americans like myself use standard english when they need to be understood in mixed company, or when a work environment requires being understood by a mixed crowd that is not from their culture. For example, this is why Mexicans use English in a mixed working environment, but do not think of each other as un-intelligent for communicating with each other in Spanish. It is the language their own culture uses and understands more commonly. I also live in Chicago where some people in immigrant communities never feel the need to learn English, let alone standard english without their own grammatical flaws. It would be silly if I looked at them as not intelligent because they used slang words common amongst their own culture or didnt speak a form of perfected standard English. Robert here used a perfected form of "American" Standard English. Thats easy, what's impressive is his ability to spot fact patterns and replicate them across other businesses to create value in the marketplace.

[@improv2736]

this is spot on!

[@tommybrown8775]

Means nothing my real estate mentor makes 40k to 55k a month on average and he uses slang/colloquial terms on the regular we've also had presidents that don't speak as articulate as some others

[@raresabraleaks8216]

Don’t defend slang gibberish, its childish to be using it into adulthood.

[@corysmith12345]

My first comment on a KZbin Video. Fantastic gems of wisdom! It's great to see that Robert F Smith has grabbed the baton from Regenald F Lewis. Now we take it and RUN!!!!!!!!!!!!! God willing & Amen!

[@villgomez]

Cory Smith Awesome man. I completely agree. I read "Why Should White Guys Have All the Fun" and it taught me to pay attention to detail and become obsessed with your craft or project you are working on.

[@JenniferSerenity]

Reginald Lewis' daughter asked a question starring at 50:17! What a surprise to hear her voice. Her name is Christina Lewis Halpern. She wrote a Kindle Single called "Lonely at the Top" where she shares her perspective of finding out and learning about her Dad after he passed. Opened my eyes more about him and her! She has a strong work ethic!

[@kariml.currey1260]

So much wisdom in this video. Thank you Columbia for sharing this, and also thanks to Robert F. Smith for loving his community and his craft to share to the world. OOHH SIX!

[@donbezi]

DAMN... this King is the BIG HOMIE. Mad respect.. i'm finna learn coding

[@cali.songbird]

Where/what way is the best place to start learning coding for a 17 yr old, please?

[@reallogic4991]

@@cali.songbird Tons of free online documentation for programming, maybe try python and find a book online to follow.

[@playcousin5497]

A Beautiful Journey he mentioned one way in his talk which is “code.org” also check your local area for a STEM organization. Most of their activities are free or have small fees. Good luck.

[@cali.songbird]

@@playcousin5497 Thank you so much for sharing all of that with me.

[@loljk360waver]

I’m going to learn coding not finna

[@HULYRICSTV]

Great thinkers in that room. I am super excited, impressed and even more motivated to see my race progressing in such a smooth manner.

[@CurvaLish]

That last question and Mr Smith’s quick witted response was brilliant!

[@je9625]

This guy has thought deeply about a lot of things. 59:06 is what the technical people who aspire to become business owners came for. Great talk

[@Greg_Chase]

I love the fact that RS is giving hope to underserved kids. The positive benefits of that part of his work might be so great, they won't be measurable, and I hope he keeps up that part of his efforts. And thank you for the excellent interview with RFS, he is a great inspiration.

[@beablebeauty6479]

"Your highest and best use" isn't a static proposition, you can learn and advance your thinking and knowledge into higher uses.

[@billiebillie678]

I continue to be inspired by and in awe of the brilliant RFS! So much knowledge and wisdom in this video. These are the kinds of videos that need to "go viral" in our community!

[@cardion411]

EXACTLY!!!

[@mnajjar914]

Which community needs this the most? The one with nothing to lose right, what about everyone else is they whalecum to watch the vidya too?

[@MrTheCme]

This video makes me proud to be a member of Alpha Phi Alpha..06 to all the brothas

[@dariusisrael5140]

He has a great coaching style.

[@WillBarnesActorandVoiceOver]

Knowledge, good to hear some these days.

[@imhereforthework]

The realest answer given: I started my own firm because I knew no private equity firms wouldn't hire me.. Its the same way in all industries .

[@herogebrial]

It's sad. We het held back but no one baits an eye lid

[@JohnFrance-ns5ve]

@@herogebrial that’s why I laugh when you’re nice or help whites at all lol it’s hilarious

[@terrencemusic1]

A true inspiration. Amazing videos like this never go viral --- and I see that as a benefit.

[@suraphelbogale6563]

Thank you for posting.

[@justinewing2211]

"Reshapes Positions and opinions on how we think about ourselves".

[@henokkidane7576]

This is the first interview in my life, i have literally learned few things and enjoyed his lay back ,humble personality.

[@whydoiexist1994]

So very true, music and dancing are the key component to creativity and growth, the music helped me to cope with my Trauma after surviving genocide in Rwanda when I was just a teenager ORPHAN girl without Father, Mother or Grand parents because they were all killed by my RWANDAN PEOPLE. Dancing still helping me even today with my creativities in Business and Entrepreneurship , I am not even talking about innovations ideas to advance my charity of helping Rwanda Orphans at THE WHY DO I EXIST ?/ KUKI NDIHO RWANDA ORPHANS SUPPORT PROJECT and self esteem with Confidence I got from Dancing and listening to Music, Like my High School professor in Rwanda told us in School, Music is the food of our Souls.

[@didier566]

Very inspiring! How did I not know Robert Smith? A must-know person as a young person trying to get into private equity and investment banking. Thank you!

[@cardion411]

Don't feel bad. He was (and is, I'm sure) a very private person. Mr. Smith didn't really start to do interviews and such until the past few years or so. He just had his head down grinding.

[@sonyamoyler9237]

Loved this video! Great questions, great answers! Thank you Mr. Smith! God Bless!

[@Chefandsteward]

May I point out how eloquent and tastefully humorous the introduction of Robert was.

[@levarhaffoney6117]

Very inspiring. Thank you for posting.

[@markpegues757]

Powerful information. And I will share. Give thanks!

[@tyronebeecher2938]

Great interview and questions. Thanks for posting

[@TheReelCutter]

This is great to listen to for anyone of any race, any gender, and any background. Legendary.

[@heather-vs9qe]

No private èquity firm will hire me. Well done create your own firm Kudos for you...pattern recognition.

[@caspianhall]

You’re a pale face?

[@royalenterprises8794]

I love this man, well this entire platform! Excellence on this platform. Powerful info

[@Empresskimz]

Thank you so much for this. It truly is important to be an expert at one's craft.

[@Newrootsdev]

Awesome! Thanks for posting!

[@lovethestage]

Excellent opening - excellent video.

[@pagaihijam5556]

Thanks for posting, great encouragement and energy.

[@asiphejohnson6543]

This is absolutely amazing... power to our people. Were steadily making moves in all aspects of life 💗

[@cowlico]

Giving creative insight to a program that will help an organization and prosper.

[@benthebartender]

Fascinating discussion! Bringing value to anyone in ANY market place!

[@deniseboothgodchickunivers1385]

Thank you King this interview King Smith did not disappoint so far so great.💎💎💎💎💎👑👑👑👑🙏🏾Watching black excellence at the highest level🗣💎💎💎👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾✊🏿♥️👑👑👑👑👑 King Smith you did not disappoint

[@yangatekane]

Robert Smith is excellent design engineer, its amazing how he manages to apply engineering design principles across fields

[@Tlhakxza]

I’m a TEKANE too bro,from Dube,Soweto... where are you from??

[@SuperHtownswag]

great talk, thanks for posting

[@AnovaLisaDragonfly]

33:25 - 38:50 STEM education and training as a major on-ramp of opportunity for economic uplift. But if that on-ramping doesn’t happen now, 20 years from now there will be little to show for it in our community. The opportunity will have been missed, that arbitrage will be diminished, and with longer-term negative repercussions. Whoa! That was a powerful thing he said there. Let’s take heed of this with our children. Also at 10:53, I really appreciate this distinction regarding U.S. economics.

[@tiiyoung2210]

Great Interview and Extremely Insightful. Thanks for those who've made it possible.

[@emmanuelr710]

This man literally speaks my thoughts. Thank you. Our community need this.

[@josephinebrevig8748]

What an incredible, magnanimous human being. Just love this. When we work together, share stories skills, knowlege, mentor, coach one another.....wow...we can change our world.....exploiting our talent, creativity along the way.

[@vanessatheurbantarotgoddes2192]

Need more black men like this

[@tommybrown8775]

Need more black/melanated people with business mindsets overall

[@priscilla7864]

Amen.

[@raresabraleaks8216]

Girls gotta stop greenlighting gangster rappers, and start dating and procreating only with smart niggas.

[@vanessatheurbantarotgoddes2192]

@@raresabraleaks8216 lol fr

[@cushitepeople9165]

Love him, his words are so deliberate, Robert doesn't use language that will limit you or bring a blockage to your mind....so powerful

[@miguelbatista4273]

Absolutely awesome interview. Brilliant mind!

[@RealTalkkWithEli]

December 27, 2022 great talk! The interactions at the end were gold ✨👌🏽 and he’s absolutely right about the opportunity being available now for a short time span. We should definitely use all these resources to the fullest extent possible 💯

[@thouart6606]

I thoroughly enjoyed this ELEVATE CONFERENCE.

[@thereisnoend]

Brilliant observations..many jewels dropped during this discussion.

[@gainlabs]

Good insightful perspectives to use in my Sales pursuits. 👌🏾

[@EmekaTalksTech]

great interview!

[@soul.friendagape6788]

Beautiful and Enlightening Conversation

[@SimplyDafDaf21]

I’m at a stage in my CPA career where I can feel that exploitation growing. Definitely picked up some key points in this conversation. LOVE IT.

[@FrostyFlameTV]

Robert Smith is a true inspiration and a criminally overlooked role model for today's youth.

[@fernandozeledon8595]

We must go to the places where these discussions are being held. to be part of the conversation. I have been to many tech discussions where there are only 1 or 2 maybe 3 people of color in the room eager to learn the new generation of tech innovation. Drop our fears and figure out how and where we fit within the ecosystem.

[@FindYourPhilosophy]

Great talk. Great questions. Really an inspiring interview.

[@wendyfromtheblock6743]

And I will be looking it up!

[@thegreatdel9679]

The realest thing he said is … we have make it apart of culture not just a exception few.

[@bernadetteoverby5291]

Good morning. I am so sorry Mr. Robert F. Smith. I intended to give you a thumbs up and 2 high fives for an excellent interview several weeks ago! BRAVO 🙌🏽

[@GarrickBradley]

Great video!

[@brianharmon1854]

2019 & Never gets outdated!

[@cowlico]

This is incredible

[@rachealkibaiya7593]

Courtney Ellis That good thing in us gets stired

[@felixmbaka7939]

quite alot to learn from this guy.

[@ktstt65]

Excellent ❤ hope to see more

[@royaltymotivation.r.m1419]

Wow! this some next level information!

[@fredwooten14]

Great interview!!

[@reodconstructionfacilities1619]

Great job!!

[@gw7682]

Love It!!!!!!!!!

[@tonyahenley8641]

Thank You

[@generalblack5556]

A true business role model for men in the black community to look up too.

[@JaNeeDiahann1225]

Watching in 2023...amazing

[@lenajohnson9824]

My Beautiful 💐💐 Unle and Aunt Lewis and Linda TATEM taught me this same Infrastructure, I am delivering small servitude in my community and I feel comfortable in my bubble knowing future generations will soar

[@dwayneervin1678]

Great talk and very informative...

[@Whalee39]

Mr. Smith is such a stand up guy. Great piece…👌🏽

[@FREQKO]

Love it Man! I shared a clip on my IGTV!

[@wynnrichards]

Amazing talk

[@ronstud]

Valuable information!

[@Devrhoid]

I learnt a lot here. Really enjoyed the conversation.

[@evelynhaye]

I enjoyed this. Very informative. Great questions and answers.

[@Curiousviewer22]

I can't believe how cool this guy is.

[@dmont5363]

I was there, great conference!

[@WilkineBrutus]

Absolutely loved this convo.

[@Bankii13]

Thank you

[@martinasommer1306]

Awesome talk Love the positive talk about solid music education for cognitive development

[@doreenmarabe2646]

Thank YOU. "developing an economic advantage & sustaining it for long..." AHA!