Chicago Financier Levoyd E. Robinson Donates $1.4 Million to School of Business Student Academic Support Lounge

By Kelvin Childs

Howard University announced a generous donation of $1.4 million by Levoyd E. Robinson (BBA, ’87) to establish an education fund and upgrade to the student academic support services offices within the University’s School of Business.

Robinson is founder, CEO and chief investment officer of CFI Partners, Inc. Based in Chicago, CFI Partners is a registered investment advisor with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and manages nearly $6 billion in assets.

“My days at Howard University established the foundation for my career in portfolio and risk management and investment advising. It is crucial for more African Americans to become business leaders, and for them to be fully equipped—not only with the fine education Howard provides, but also with practical knowledge imparted by experienced professionals,” Robinson said.

“We thank Levoyd Robinson for this generous gift that will allow us to support our School of Business students in very innovative ways,” said Howard University President Ben Vinson III, Ph.D. “This support is a clear demonstration of Mr. Robinson’s commitment to ensuring that current and future students are given the opportunity to leverage the wonderful resources that make Howard’s School of Business one of the leading schools for students who are pursuing careers in the business sector.”

“I want to thank Mr. Robinson for this donation and for the many years of support and leadership he has provided to the School of Business, the University and its students. His participation in the school’s Board of Visitors and guidance to the Executive Leaders Honors Program is of immeasurable value,” said Dean Anthony D. Wilbon, Ph.D., PMP. Wilbon noted that this is the largest gift from a single School of Business alumnus specifically to the school.

The donation will establish the Levoyd E. Robinson Family Fund with a combination of endowed and current-use funds designated for infrastructure and renovations to the HUSB building. It will also go to upgrades to the undergraduate and graduate student services suite within the HUSB building.

The University is making plans to name the undergraduate and graduate support suite after Robinson and additional CFI Partners.

Robinson graduated magna cum laude from the University’s School of Business, and later earned an MBA with a concentration in finance, investment and banking from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He also is a CFA Charter holder. Robinson was named an Exemplary Alumni in 2015 at the school’s 45th anniversary in 2015 and is a member of the Howard University School of Business Board of Visitors, among other leadership positions in public service and education.