Robert F. Smith in Convo with Mayor Monroe Nichols and Ken Levit

Welcome to a conversation with Robert F. Smith, an American investor, philanthropist and entrepreneur who will be in conversation with Mayor Monroe Nichols and Ken Levit, Executive Director at the George Kaiser Family Foundation (GKFF).

Join us at the JACK HENDERSON ALLIED HEALTH FACILITY for an insightful discussion based on Robert F. Smith's new book, Lead Boldly - Leadership insights from one of history’s most influential voices. This in-person event promises to be a unique opportunity to hear from these influential individuals. Don't miss out on this exciting event!

More about Robert F. Smith:

Robert F. Smith is an American investor, philanthropist and entrepreneur. He leads Vista Equity Partners, a global technology investor that specializes in enterprise software.

Throughout his life, Smith’s commitments to philanthropy and equality of opportunity have never wavered, and finding ways to make a difference in the communities where he lives and works is central to his character and approach to life. During his 2019 commencement address at Morehouse College, a Historically Black College, Smith committed to eliminating the student loan debt of the graduating class and later expanded his gift to eliminate student loan debt held by the students’ guardians on their behalf. Smith holds many board positions – he is the Chairman of Carnegie Hall and Student Freedom Initiative (SFI), co-lead of Southern Communities Initiative (SCI) and the founding director and President of Fund II Foundation. In addition, he is a major donor to the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the King Center, his alma maters, Cornell University and Columbia University, and the Sphinx Organization, among many others. Smith was honored by being listed as one of Forbes’ 100 Greatest Living Business Minds in 2017 and TIME100’s “Most Influential People” in 2020.

More about Mayor Monroe Nichols:

Mayor Monroe Nichols was sworn in as the 41st Mayor of Tulsa on Dec. 2, 2024, serving as Tulsa's first African American mayor. Nichols first called Tulsa home when he began attending the University of Tulsa, where he received a Bachelor's degree in Political Science and Economics. Shortly after, he received a Master's degree in Public Administration from the University of Oklahoma. Throughout his career in government, private business, higher education, and the nonprofit sector, Nichols has focused on creating better outcomes for residents. Before serving as mayor, Nichols represented House District 72 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives and served as Chair of the Oklahoma Legislative Black Caucus.Mayor Nichols is focused on several key areas that he plans to prioritize over the next four years, including ending homelessness, improving student outcomes, expanding economic opportunity, making Tulsa the safest big city in America, increasing affordable housing and improving relations and co-governance with tribal governments.

More about Ken Levit:

Ken Levit is the Executive Director of the George Kaiser Family Foundation. Prior to taking on the leadership role at the George Kaiser Family Foundation, Ken served as President of the University of Oklahoma-Tulsa from 2001 to 2006. From early 1998 through 2000, Ken was Special Counsel to George Tenet, director of the Central Intelligence Agency. Ken practiced corporate law at the firm of Crowe and Dunlevy in Tulsa from 1995 to 1998. Ken earned his law degree from Yale Law School and received his undergraduate degree from Brown University.

More about the book:

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated more than 55 years ago, yet his words continue to inspire millions of people, young and old—from all races and backgrounds. During his remarkable life, he embodies bold and compassionate leadership and achieved a level of influence few thought possible for a Black man born in Atlanta just before the Great Depression.

Now, aspiring leaders can reflect on some of Dr. King’s most impactful speeches and integrate his lessons into their modern leadership journeys. Robert F. Smith, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Vista Equity Partners, offers his own insights and experiences on each passage on how themes like “The Beloved Community”, “Economic Justice”, and “Two Americas” played a central role in his own leadership development and why the visionary ideas of Dr. King espoused are so important for leaders to understand and apply today.

Host or Publisher Fulton Street Books & Coffee