Retired Cardiologist Now Helping Black Americans Build Wealth And Improve Health

by Jeffrey McKinney November 15, 2024 The extra capital will be aimed at boosting the well-being status for Black Americans. A  medical care trailblazer and retired cardiologist, Dr. Henry W. B. “Hank” Smith III, is renowned for helping save the lives of people for nearly four decades. Now, Smith is making another large contribution in assisting the Black community with building wealth and realizing other positive outcomes like enhancing health. One of the first Black American cardiologists in Greensboro, North Carolina, Smith hung up his stethoscopes this past January. He had a  practice for 39 years,  retiring from Cone Health HeartCare. He told BLACK ENTERPRISE that he is spending his days encouraging collective giving to make the Black Investments in Greensboro (BIG) Equity Fund stronger financially. MAKING AN IMPACT IN THE BLACK COMMUNITY WITH FUNDING A Black-led permanent endowment at the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro, the fund was founded by Mae Douglas, Smith, and 10 other Black community leaders in 2019. They serve on its steering committee. Today it is worth $1.5 million, and the fund’s mission is to improve education, health, and economic conditions in Greensboro and Guilford County in North Carolina. “Grants are made to fund programs...