FEBRUARY NEWSLETTER | (Re)Defining Enough Despite the Financial Noise
Hi friends,
This month, we’re sharing a new So Money episode that digs into Georgia’s thoughts on reparations in financial planning, opportunities to support Ukraine, and some exciting tax activism to help close the opportunity gap.
As a B Corp aiming to do better for people and planet, we hope our work can help reduce racial wealth inequality.
But how? By advancing a New Money Consciousness through action, education, and our Philanthropy Plan. By keeping our eyes on our activist heroes. By planting seeds of learning and justice as we engage in equity conversations with our team, our clients, and in the community.
Defining ENOUGH, in solidarity,
Georgia + Team Modernist
investment insights
It sure feels like there's a lot to be anxious about these days, which can translate to worry about investments. Here are our answers to some of the financial noise we've been hearing lately...
If you're concerned about geopolitical news and its effect on markets, here’s what we’re telling our clients, including this helpful reminder of how the US market has performed during and AFTER various crises:
If you've got inflation on the brain, we love this NPR Planet Money deep dive into how the Bureau of Labor Statistics calculates a key economic indicator, the Consumer Price Index (CPI), the most widely used measure of inflation.
After the blur of year-end and the noisy start to the year, you might be struggling to remember what happened at the end of 2021.
Structure Your Wealth Around Your Values
Support Ukrainians
Please join us in supporting organizations are caring for Ukrainians on the ground.
🕊 Ukraine Humanitarian Fund
🕊 Project HOPE
🕊 Voices of Children
🇺🇦 Explore more options, including ways to support independent journalism
*Organizations gathered through our Director of Client Experience Katia’s leadership as Co-Chair of the Human Rights Group for the UN/USA.
Hire a CPA of Color
Tax season is coming!
While it’s likely too late to hire a CPA to file your return in April, check out the Accountants of Color Directory for a helpful resource to connect with BIPOC CPAs for your extension.
You can find more referrals for CPAs and other finance professionals here on our site.
modernist takes it outside
On a new episode of So Money, Farnoosh Torabi invited Georgia on to talk about reparations and financial planning.
They dig into how reparations could be applied to each area of our financial lives: generosity, investing, insurance and estate planning, and banking.
And how Modernist leans into lifelong learning when it comes to equity work. Listen here!
FUND YOUR HEROES
Oregon Community Foundation has done extensive research on the relationship between place and opportunity—if you missed our 2021 event highlighting that work, you can find a recap here.
OCF is working to close that gap by connecting families to their tax benefits through community non-profits. Read more about this effort and how you can help.
ART BREAK: learning from our heroes
Zen master, teacher, and poet Thich Nhat Hahn died last month.
Nominated by Dr. King for the Nobel Peace Prize, his work to engage in nonviolence influenced Vietnam war resistance, generations of folks working for social justice, and the growth of mindfulness in the U.S.
On Being re-aired an interview with him from 2003, including an inspiring conversation with Cheri Maples, a student of his who integrated his teachings on non-violence with her work as a police and parole officer, and as Wisconsin Assistant District Attorney.
A Song That is REALLY About fighting for freedom
“Blk Girl Soldier” by Jamila Woods
We love that within one powerful song, Jamila celebrates Black Girl Magic, calls out injustice with clarity, and looks to the past to bring forward those who fought the fight before us. It reminds us to center intersectionality, uplift and learn from the heroes who’ve been doing the work all along.
Rosa was a freedom fighter / And she taught us how to fight
Ella was a freedom fighter / And she taught us how to fight
Audre was a freedom fighter / And she taught us how to fight
Angela was a freedom fighter / And she taught us how to fight
Sojourner was a freedom fighter / And she taught us how to fight
Assata was a freedom fighter / And she taught us how to fight