The legacy of Morehouse College is enriched not only by its commitment to academic excellence but also through transformative moments that shape the future of its students. One such moment was in 2019, when philanthropist Robert F. Smith made history by eliminating the student loan debt of an entire graduating class. This unprecedented act of generosity has now been the subject of a pivotal research study, "A Qualitative Exploration of The Robert Smith Gift at Morehouse College," recently published in University of Louisville's Journal of Student Financial Aid.
This study originates from the Morehouse Center for Broadening Participation in Computing, under the leadership of Executive Director Dr. Kinnis Gosha. The dedicated research team explored the transformative effects of student loan elimination on Morehouse graduates, producing work that stands as both a testament to rigorous scholarship and a beacon of the lasting impact that investing in Black educational futures can create.
The study employs a qualitative approach to understand the nuanced experiences of graduates whose financial burdens were lifted by Smith’s historic gift. Applying Yosso’s Community Cultural Wealth Model (CCW), the researchers explored how freedom from debt influenced the graduates' accumulation of various forms of capital — from social and cultural to aspirational and navigational.
Key findings reveal that eliminating student loan debt empowered graduates to pursue entrepreneurial endeavors, invest in community initiatives, and navigate post-graduation life with enhanced mental and economic stability. By removing the financial constraints often tied to Black graduates, especially at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), the RSGift dismantled barriers that might have otherwise stifled their potential.
This publication is a monumental step in broadening the discourse around student debt forgiveness, especially within the context of Black higher education. It underscores the importance of considering cultural wealth and communal uplift when evaluating the impacts of financial interventions. The research team’s work invites policymakers, educators, and philanthropists to reimagine how targeted financial relief can catalyze lasting societal change.
The Morehouse Center for Broadening Participation in Computing continues to pave the way for critical research that bridges technology, education, and social justice. And this publication is only the beginning — more insights and scholarly contributions are on the horizon, promising to further illuminate the transformative power of intentional giving.
Inspired by Robert Smith’s extraordinary gesture, two 2019 Morehouse alumni and film graduate students, Joshua Reed and Emani Saucier, have embarked on creating The Gift — a 20-30 minute documentary that weaves together the powerful narratives of Morehouse College’s Class of 2019 graduates whose student debt was eliminated. Their stories unfold against the backdrop of the escalating student debt crisis, offering a poignant exploration of hope, opportunity, and systemic change.
To learn more about The Gift documentary, visit saucierfilms.com/the-gift