Investor and philanthropist Robert Smith is teaming up with The Harveys in the name of Black excellence! 

Earlier this year, Smith launched the Student Freedom Initiative (SFI), a nonprofit helping HBCU students excel. — The organization recently announced the next round of twenty-nine HBCUs participating in its program, including Jackson State University, Morehouse College, and Hampton University. The SFI aims to branch out to other Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs) in the future.

Together, the SFI and the Steve and Marjorie Harvey Foundation, a charity centered on youth outreach services, aim to elevate students' excellence attending MSIs and close the wealth gap between HBCUs and PWIs (Predominately White Institutions), impacting nearly 80,500 students.

"We are pleased to welcome the Steve and Marjorie Harvey Foundation in support of our critical mission to advance the narrative surrounding minority-serving institutions and the students they support," Smith said. "Together, we look forward to sharing and promoting the extraordinary talent of our students in a competitive global economy." 

"Access to quality, affordable higher education is one of the most important steps our community can take towards achieving racial equity," added Steve Harvey. "Our foundation is proud to support the work of Robert F. Smith and the Student Freedom Initiative to highlight the outstanding job done by HBCUs and other MSIs to elevate the social and economic mobility of our students to achieve their greatest potential via this enduring, scalable solution."

The partnership announcement comes about two-and-a-half years after Smith revealed he would pay off the 2019 Morehouse graduating class's student loan debt.

In addition to this life-altering contribution, Smith also funded the creation of the Student Success Program to help further reduce debt among Morehouse Men.

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