JANUARY NEWSLETTER: Our Bond with Bonds, Octavia Butler, and Understanding Whiteness
Hey friends,
At Modernist, we are advancing a New Money Consciousness – one borne of gratitude, generosity, and a deep-felt understanding of Plenty and Enough.
As we begin a much-needed New Year, we invite you to join us in a small practice to help you notice when and where Plenty and Enough show up in your lives. We created colorful calendars with space provided to note these reflections.
We hope reflecting on these ideas will help cultivate a sense of permission to enjoy today while we continue to invest in our common future.
In gratitude,
Georgia + Team Modernist
Investment Insights aka phew! 2020
With everything 2020 (a contested election, pandemic, economic contraction, just to name a few), would you expect the market to be up or down? Georgia explores that question over on the blog, along with a look back at Q4 returns.
We also shared some thoughts on the bonds we want (and don’t want) in our portfolios, and why we don’t follow the herd when we pick our friends in fixed income.
Curious about the stimulus 2.0? We’ve got you. This article breaks down the basics, from the return of PPP to tax incentives and changes.
Did you get a stimulus payment, but don't feel like you need it? Consider participating in the #sharemycheck movement by gifting to a friend in need or a local non-profit.
#fundyourheroes by better understanding whiteness
If you're looking to welcome 2021 by deepening your own understanding of race, sign up here for Reframing Racism, the course Modernist asks all staff to attend so that the work of money is grounded in primary concepts of equity and inclusion.
We also love the salon The Salomé Institute of Jungian Studies held with Ayana Jamieson PhD exploring the life and literary work of Octavia Butler and her essential role in helping us chart a path to a new future together.
If you’re a business owner: Consider hiring the fab folks at Workplace Change to help guide your DEI work. Or Take a look at Portland Means Progress to keep yourself accountable to your business’ equity work. Or take the free B Corp assessment to understand where you could make some bold business moves in 2021.
Art Break: A Poem That Is Really About Change
We've braved the belly of the beast / We've learned that quiet isn't always peace / And the norms and notions / of what just is / Isn't always just-ice
There’s a reason we were all collectively moved by Amanda Gorman on January 20th. The first Youth Poet Laureate performed an honest and hopeful original poem that had us imagining a path to a more just and equitable society.
Watch Gorman read the poem again or read the full poem here.
a song that is all about plenty
This month's song is a recommendation from our dear friend Lindsey Murphy of the Fab Lab with Crazy Aunt Lindsey. (Got kids? Check out her amazing STEM education resources!)
Lindsey introduced us to this song from Chloe x Halle, singing about Plenty.
I got money everywhere! / Falling off the tree / I got money everywhere! / Far as you can see