Billionaire Robert F. Smith to Reveal MLK’s Leadership Secrets at the National Museum of African American Music
NASHVILLE, TN (September 9, 2025) — The National Museum of African American Music will host an exclusive evening with Robert F. Smith, founder, chairman and CEO of Vista Equity Partners and the world’s third-richest Black person according to Forbes, on Tuesday, September 30, from 6-8 p.m. Smith will reveal how Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s leadership principles guided his journey to building a $10.8 billion fortune and transforming the investment industry.
The intimate conversation, “Lead with Legacy: An Evening of Transformational Leadership,” coincides with Smith’s new book release, Lead Boldly: Seven Principles from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., published by HarperCollins Leadership in August. Limited to 200 attendees, the event provides unprecedented access to one of America’s most successful entrepreneurs in NMAAM’s culturally immersive setting.
Smith, founder, chairman and CEO of Vista Equity Partners, will demonstrate how Dr. King’s revolutionary concepts of courage, conviction and compassion became the foundation for building a leading global investment firm and driving philanthropic impact worth tens of millions.
“Robert F. Smith’s extraordinary success story proves that Dr. King’s principles remain the most powerful blueprint for transformational leadership,” said Bill Jeffries, executive director of NMAAM. “This evening exemplifies our mission—showing how African American cultural legacy continues to shape today’s most influential leaders and tomorrow’s possibilities.”
Lead Boldly features seven of Dr. King’s most influential speeches, exploring themes including: “The Beloved Community,” “Economic Justice,” and “Two Americas.” Released on the 62nd anniversary of the March on Washington, the book provides actionable frameworks for building inclusive, equitable organizations.
Smith’s commitment to principled leadership extends beyond business success. A member of the Giving Pledge, he has committed to donating the majority of his wealth to philanthropic causes. His groundbreaking 2019 pledge eliminated student loan debt for nearly 400 Morehouse College graduates and their families, totaling $34 million. He serves as chairman of Student Freedom Initiative and Carnegie Hall, and founding director of Fund II Foundation.
“Dr. King’s principles guided my journey from witnessing the March on Washington as a young boy to building Vista Equity Partners,” said Smith. “These timeless strategies remain essential for any leader committed to creating lasting, positive change.”
The $50 tickets include a signed copy of Lead Boldly and access to an exclusive networking reception with light bites and Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey with Nashville’s business and community leaders. All proceeds support NMAAM’s mission to preserve and celebrate African American musical heritage.
NMAAM serves as the official Home of Black Music Month and the nation’s only museum dedicated exclusively to African American music. The venue provides the perfect backdrop for exploring how cultural legacy continues to inspire transformational leadership.
Tickets are available at nmaam.org. Media interested in covering the event should contact Dexter D. Evans at devans@nmaam.org.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSIC:
The National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) is the only museum dedicated to preserving, celebrating, and amplifying the many music genres created, influenced, and inspired by African Americans. As the official Home of Black Music Month and a national cultural authority, NMAAM tells the complete story of the American soundtrack through innovative and interactive exhibits that integrate history and cutting-edge technology to bring musical heroes of the past into the present.
Located in Nashville’s historic Music City, NMAAM serves as both a premier cultural destination and industry convener, transforming how visitors understand the central role African Americans have played in creating every genre of American music. Through immersive educational experiences, strategic partnerships, and community programming, NMAAM amplifies Black music’s transformative legacy while inspiring future generations of artists and culture-keepers.
For more information, visit www.nmaam.org.
ABOUT ROBERT F. SMITH:
Robert F. Smith is an American investor, inventor, engineer, philanthropist, and entrepreneur. He is the Founder, Chairman and CEO of Vista Equity Partners, a leading global investment firm that exclusively invests in enterprise software, data and technology-enabled businesses. Throughout his life, Smith has remained committed to the principles of philanthropy and equality, and seeking out pathways to make a difference in communities around the world is a central aspect of his character and approach to life. During his 2019 commencement address at Morehouse College, a Historically Black College, Smith surprised the nearly 400 graduates by pledging to eliminate their student loan debt. Smith later expanded this gift to eliminate the debt held by their parents on their behalf, totaling $34 million. In addition, he is the Chairman of Student Freedom Initiative (SFI) and Carnegie Hall, founding director and President of Fund II Foundation and co-founder of Southern Communities Initiative. In 2017, Forbes listed Smith as one of the 100 Greatest Living Business Minds.
ABOUT HARPERCOLLINS LEADERSHIP:
HarperCollins Leadership publishes content from leaders who redefine or expand what a reader previously thought possible. Authors provide unique inspiration and experiences to those who seek to learn, make a difference, and find their own version of success.
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