Media Contact:
Tara G. Cunningham
Dillard University
tcunningham@dillard.edu
(504) 816-4024
New Orleans, LA – Dillard University will host an evening of reflection and inspiration on Thursday, October 2, 2025, from 6–8 p.m. in Georges Auditorium, featuring renowned investor, philanthropist, and entrepreneur Robert F. Smith, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Vista Equity Partners.
The event, Leadership Insights from One of History’s Most Influential Voices, will explore the timeless leadership lessons of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., whose words and vision continue to guide generations more than 55 years after his assassination. Smith will share personal reflections on Dr. King’s most impactful speeches, examining themes such as “The Beloved Community,” “Economic Justice,” and “Two Americas.” He will also highlight how these principles have shaped his own leadership journey and why they remain essential for today’s leaders across industries.
“Dillard University has the distinct honor of being one of the places where Dr. King left his mark, delivering the baccalaureate address in Lawless Chapel in 1959,” said Dr. Monique Guillory, President of Dillard University. “To welcome Robert F. Smith, a leader whose vision and philanthropy continue to expand opportunity and justice, is profoundly meaningful. His visit reminds us of the legacy we inherit and the responsibility we carry to cultivate leaders who, like Dr. King and Mr. Smith, will transform the world.”
Smith, a leading figure in business and philanthropy, is widely recognized for his groundbreaking contributions to education, culture, and economic opportunity. In 2019, during his commencement address at Morehouse College, he pledged to eliminate the student loan debt of the graduating class—a historic act of generosity that later expanded to include the students’ parents and guardians. His philanthropic impact also includes major support for the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the King Center, Carnegie Hall, the Student Freedom Initiative, and numerous educational and cultural institutions.
Named one of Forbes’ “100 Greatest Living Business Minds” in 2017 and included in TIME100’s “Most Influential People” in 2020, Smith continues to be a leading advocate for equality of opportunity and the creation of pathways to success for underserved communities.
This special event is free and open to the public.
Event Details:
Leadership Insights from One of History’s Most Influential Voices
Featuring Robert F. Smith, Founder, Chairman & CEO of Vista Equity Partners
Thursday, October 2, 2025 | 6–8 p.m.
Georges Auditorium, Dillard University
About Dillard University
Founded in 1869, Dillard University is a private, historically Black liberal arts institution located in New Orleans, Louisiana. With a commitment to academic excellence, community engagement, and cultural preservation, Dillard prepares leaders who excel, advocate, and positively impact the world. The University offers a wide range of undergraduate programs and has been nationally recognized for its contributio
