Recent community gatherings- Books, Telescopes, and Big Ideas

What a Night! Jasmine Rashid's "The Financial Activist Playbook" Book Launch

“The Financial Activist Playbook” by Jasmin Rashid
Credit: Lara Kaur Photography

This wasn't your average "stand in line, get your book signed, and go home" kind of event. The energy in that room? Electric! It felt like we were all part of something bigger, you know? Like we were at the start of a movement.

Jasmine's book isn't just about managing money - it's about rethinking our whole relationship with it. How can we use our cash to make the world a bit better? That's the big question she's tackling.

The best part? Seeing everyone come together. It didn't matter if you were a company CEO or a student just getting interested in finance - everyone was chatting, sharing ideas, and getting excited about making a difference.

I was there representing Viscera Studio, as one of the in-kind sponsors, and it was incredible to see how the community showed up to support Jasmine and her work.

Jasmine kicked off the event with a heartfelt shoutout to her "dearest Bay Area friends, family, and neighbours," and you could feel the passion in the room. She also mentioned social impact investors, community organizations, small business owners, and artists who came out to celebrate—including some who flew all the way across the country just to be there (like her parents!). It was this amazing mix of people, all passionate about financial activism and creating real change.

What made the night so special was the sense of connection. It wasn’t just about the book—it was about bringing together entrepreneurs, activists, and creatives, all united by a common cause. As someone from Viscera Studio, where we support small businesses and community-driven organizations, it felt like the perfect fit for us to be involved.

Being part of this event reminded me how powerful it is when like-minded people come together. Jasmine’s message about using financial literacy as a tool for social impact is something we’re really passionate about at Viscera, and seeing the diverse crowd of supporters was truly inspiring. This wasn’t just a book launch—it was a moment to celebrate community, collaboration, and the kind of activism that leads to real change.

If you haven’t checked out The Financial Activist Playbook yet, I highly recommend it. It’s full of ideas that challenge the status quo and push for a more equitable financial future, something we all can get behind.

written by Marlena Kot

A Night to Remember at the Alliance's 25th Anniversary Celebration

Credit: Cia Gould

Ari and I had the pleasure of attending the Alliance for Community Development’s 25th Anniversary Ceremony Award Party at the Chabot Space Center. Surrounded by an incredible group of local businesses. The event embraced a fun 1990s theme paying homage to the Alliance’s founding in 1999, the night was both nostalgic and inspiring.

The evening was a celebration of social innovation and community impact, with a strong sense of support and camaraderie in the room. It was an honor for Ari to be nominated for the Socially Innovative Founder Award, and while I didn’t win, it was amazing to see Rachel Fenall of Piikup take home the award for her remarkable work in fostering community connections and making a difference.

One of the most memorable moments was stepping outside to view the moon through the Space Center’s giant telescope. The breathtaking view of the moon’s craters under the clear night sky was a beautiful reminder of the night’s theme—reflection, recognition, and looking ahead to the future.

In addition to celebrating individual achievements, the event highlighted the Alliance’s 25 years of dedication to promoting investment in under-resourced Bay Area communities and increasing access to capital for underrepresented entrepreneurs. Congratulations to all the night’s winners, including REAL People’s Fund and USF Gellert Family Business Center.

The night was a perfect mix of fun, recognition, and inspiration. It was a joy to connect with fellow local leaders, celebrate the progress we've made, and look forward to the exciting future of innovation and community-building. Here’s to another 25 years of impact!

written by Cia Gould