SEPTEMBER NEWSLETTER | Good Vibes + Supporting Our Community đ
Hi friends,
Here in late summer, we sense autumn burgeoning as the light lengthens across our lovely city. Weâre balancing the busy tax planning phase of our client cycle with our commitment to be active community supporters and responsible corporate citizens (more on that below).
Lastly, did you know that last month brought two full moons? The second was a once-in-a-Blue-Moon on August 30th. đ
In community,
Georgia + Team Modernist
investment insights
In our newly formatted Market Commentary we take a look back at Q2 2023 and what it could mean as we look forward, too.
On our finance-fun-filled blog, we also shared thoughts on some hot topics in the news (aka financial noisiness): the state of commercial real estate and a recent question we've been hearing: Is the dollarâs global status at risk?
STRUCTURE YOUR WEALTH AROUND YOUR VALUES
Modernistâs own Josh & Bernard attended Reframing Racism, a workshop from the Center for Equity & Inclusion (CEI)! Hereâs their shared reflection:
âIt was an enlightening experience (and a privilege) to learn with a racially and professionally diverse cohort.
As corporate citizens, itâs our responsibility to create a path towards a more inclusive and equitable society. We encourage more organizations to use this course to gain a common language and framework to normalize complex conversations about race.
As individuals, engaging in challenging and civil conversations about racism, and holding space to learn and unlearn, is a necessary step to address racism.
We learned that equality is the pathway to equity, and building a common language to communicate is vital.
Some of the questions weâre still considering:
How can we extend understanding and patience to individuals unaware of their biases?
Whatâs our responsibility to engage in new complex topics and unlearn our misconceptions?"
A Tool You Can Use đ
Native Land is a tool for identifying and acknowledging the Indigenous people of the land you stand on.
Katia learned about this tool when she took Reframing Racism back in 2020!
modernistâs friends take it outside
Friend of the firm Manisha Thakorâs book MoneyZen is out now! It explores the idea of finding your âenoughââa concept we clearly love!
Manisha interviewed Georgia as she was writing it, and she contributed this bit of wisdom: âWhen I'm able to take a little bit of space to reflect on what plenty and enough mean for me, I just show up with much more integrity and kindness and clarity.â
Order your copy of MoneyZen from Bookshop.org or your fave local bookstore!
Have you given Weird Finance a listen? We love this podcast from Hell Yeah Group founder Paco Leon because it tackles finance topics through conversations with folks with non-traditional industry perspectives.
Bernard recommends this recent episode with Molly White on the limitations and false promises of crypto and web3, and a stock picking competition between a dog, a cat, and a human baby (!) with Amanda Holden. Tune in to the episode here.
FUND YOUR PORTLAND HEROES
Please show your support for our Chinese community and heritage, and be part of the solution to turn around our downtown.
As a proud downtown business, weâre grateful for the Lan Su Chinese Garden offering a peaceful space of beauty and calm in our city, and were deeply saddened to hear of recent hateful vandalism.
Please join Modernist as a Chinese Garden member, so you too can meet for a business meeting in the gorgeous teahouse, take your team for a summertime lunch, go there for a morning walk, or attend the Moonlight Market.
Show up for Portland and our AAPI community. You can make a difference.
Help keep the music alive at The 1905! This North Portland jazz bar and restaurant needs our help. Hit hard by the pandemic, this beloved institution is fundraising to help keep its doors open.
You can donate to their GoFundMe or purchase tickets to an upcoming show (you might just run into Georgia!).
Weâre thrilled to collect good news about downtown Portland! The longtime food cart pod at SW 5th & Oak reopened this month as the Midtown Beer Garden, giving a refreshed space to longtime tenants and welcoming 10 new businesses.
This family and dog-friendly space has ample seating, restrooms, and heaters and tents for the colder months. We canât wait to have a team lunch there!
A Song That is Really About ANTI-RACIST HOMEOWNERSHIP
Homeownership is a huge theme in Americaâs dominant money stories and our clientâs financial lives and goals. Of course, we know that home ownership is an advantage often distributed based on race and class.
The Highwomen sing this gorgeous song, âCrowded Tableâ about the deep desire to gather our people together in love and care:
I want a house with a crowded table / and a place by the fire for everyone...
The door is always open / Your picture's on my wall
Everyone's a little broken / And everyone belongs
Those of us with crowded tables can help less resourced folks on their way to homeownership via donations to these anti-racist homeownership organizations:
đ African American Alliance for Homeownership
đ South Carolina's Center for Heirs Propertyâread up on this org here!
đ Native American Youth & Adult Family Centerâs Homeownership Resources
đ Taking Ownership PDX