KAPPA FOUNDATION SPOTLIGHT
Meet Foundation Board Member Robert L. Greene: Leaving a Legacy through Leadership, Service, and Financial Advocacy
2 021 saw the 100-year anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre that destroyed Black Wall Street. In addition to the lives lost during those horrific two days, the businesses, and the generational wealth that lead- ers and entrepreneurs spent decades creating were decimated. As the nation paused to remember, that loss and the question of whether it could ever be built again, was an ongoing discussion. Generational wealth is a topic of great importance to Robert L. Greene, Presi- dent and Chief Executive Officer of the National Association of Investment Companies (NAIC). NAIC is the largest network of diverse-owned private equity and hedge funds and has been described as the nation’s most influential financial service organization for people of color. The organization has more than 130 member firms that manage more than $250 billion in assets. Through his leadership of NAIC, Greene works toward the organization’s mission of expanding access to capital for diverse-owned investment firms and entrepreneurs. Each day, he works with capital allocators like pension plans, cor- porations, foundations, and endowments to help them see how investing with diverse people can produce outstanding returns. “You have to get them over the perception that investing with diverse managers comes at a cost to perfor- mance. African Americans and Latinos have created extraordinary investment firms that have produced outstand- ing returns. These include firms like Auldbrass Partners, ICV Partners, and Syncom Venture Partners, all founded and led by members of Kappa Alpha Psi,” said Greene. Greene returned to lead NAIC in 2013, since that time the organization has expanded in virtually every possible metric. The membership has more than tripled, revenues have expanded, and
programs and services have blossomed. In the midst of the pandemic, NAIC de- veloped and launched strategic partner- ships with global leaders like Goldman Sachs, Korn Ferry, William Blair, and Ernst & Young. In 2020, corporations pledged to sup- port communities of color like never before. But recent studies have shown that many of those companies have not moved from words to action. NAIC is currently working with an Ivy-league institution to track where significant spending has occurred and where the promises have yet to be fulfilled. But Greene’s focus is not just on corpora- tions, it is on the very community that he strives to empower. “It is important for our people to un- derstand that there is a long pattern, hundreds of years of not investing in us and not providing access to the tools that we need to be full participants in the global economy,” he said. “It’s time for us to assemble capital, invest in en- trepreneurship, and teach our children financial literacy. This is the best way forward for Black people in America. Wealth creation, over time, has the abil- ity to solve many of the issues plaguing our community. Greene often reflects on the achieve- ments of Black Wall Street, Reginald F. Lewis, and Herbert P Wilkins, Sr. It is that reflection that not only inspires him but propels him forward. “There were times in our history when people fought for our basic humanity. There were times when people fought for our freedom. There have been times when people fought for our access. I consider myself a soldier in the battle for wealth creation for people of color. It challeng- es me every day to focus my mind, my energy, and efforts on figuring out ways for us to achieve success.” The son of an elementary school teacher and a federal government employee
who grew up in Richmond, VA, a career in the financial world was not always Greene’s dream. As a young adult, Greene was introduced to INROADS, an organization that contributed im- measurably to his career. INROADS ex- posed him to the business world, helped him hone his talents and skillset, and get a head start on a successful career. Another pivotal milestone on his journey was becoming a member of Kappa Alpha Psi® Fraternity, Inc. Greene was initi- ated May 4, 1990, at Virginia Common- wealth University, the Eta Xi of Kappa Alpha Psi® Fraternity. Greene served as Keeper of Exchequer for his chapter, an undergraduate representative to the Eastern Province Board and Province Keeper of Exchequer. He is a recipi- ent of the Pillar of the Province, the highest award conveyed by the Eastern Province. He is also a Life Member, a current member of the Washington DC Alumni Chapter, and a charter member of the Dulles Leesburg (VA) Alumni.
Greene is the former Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Virginia Retire-
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