Meet Degas Wright | Investor & Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Degas Wright and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Degas, is there a quote or affirmation that’s meaningful to you?
“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.” Nelson Mandela

This quote is important to me and I have created a mnemonic using the word ‘FEAR’ to guide me as I face my fears.

F- Find the Source of your Fear
E-Engage the Source
A- Ask for Assistance and accept it
R-Rejoice in conquering the Fear

The managing of a business or creating artwork requires courage and I have had to triumph over my fears many days. However, I come back to the mnemonic and apply it to the task at hand.

One story that illustrates this is when I was asked to testify before the U.S. Congress, Subcommittee on Investor Protection, Entrepreneurship, & Capital Markets. I was a member of an organization that requested greater disclosures that could benefit investors in evaluating their investments. As an investor, I was asked to give supporting testimony. I was afraid that I would not adequately explain the importance of disclosing important information. So, F- finding that the source of my fear was a lack of knowledge on how to explain the issue. I E-engaged with that feeling by researching examples that I could use in my testimony. In addition, I A-asked for assistance from several colleagues in the industry and worked with our college intern to summarize the information for me. The day of the testimony, I presented my findings and answered the Representatives’ questions. I was able to R-rejoice with our team, afterwards!

Another story that illustrates this is launching my art website. F-Finding that the source of fear was the feeling that my art is not good enough. As an artist, I often have these feelings. I E-engaged with that feeling and decided that I would practice and improve my ability to create art. I A-asked for assistance from an art instructor, on the urging from my wife, Patricia. Lastly, with each artwork, I rejoice that I conquered the fear to create an artwork that I can share with others on my art website or in exhibitions. Recently, my artwork was accepted into an international exhibition, ArtExpo Basel, Switzerland 2023!

What should our readers know about your business?
We founded Decatur Capital Management (Decatur) to serve our institutional and individual clients in reaching their financial goals. I am most proud of the clients that we have served over the years and seeing how we assisted them in reaching their financial objectives. Also, the dedication of our team in service to our clients. Lastly, I am proud of our work in the community. We started a college intern program over twenty years ago and it is inspirational to see the success of our intern alumni in their careers.

It has not been an easy journey and we continue to face challenges within the changing financial world but I come back to the mnemonic, FEAR. Find, Engage, Ask, Rejoice – has assisted us in overcoming the challenges. Our firm serves municipal and corporate clients by managing the pension funds for their employees and retirees. Based on our experience, we have developed strategies for working with individuals, entrepreneurs, and families in aligning their investments to meet their financial goals. Also, we enjoy working with nonprofit organizations in aligning their investments in support of their mission. As we serve each client, we seek to understand their goals, customize an investment strategy, and manage the strategy on their behalf. It is a privilege to serve as a steward of our clients’ financial resources.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
First, I would take them to my favorite breakfast restaurant in downtown Decatur, Georgia – FolkArt Decatur. Next, we would jump on the Path Foundation Bike Trail for a cycling tour from Lyons Farm in Stonecrest to the Monastery of the Holy Spirit in Conyers and back. Then it would be time for lunch, we would head over to Sweet Potato Cafe in Stone Mountain Village. After lunch, we would walk over to ART Station, an contemporary art center and theater company and enjoy the artwork. We have to dine one evening at Twisted Soul Cookhouse and try the global soul food selections!

The rest of the week, we would visit the Exhibition Hub Art Center Atlanta – to catch whatever is showing from Van Gogh’s Immersive Experience to the Tutankhamun Exhibition. We would hang out at the Black Dot Cultural Center in Lithonia for some pour over coffee and sweet live Jazz! We would bounce back to Decatur and stop by Cafe Alsace and enjoy the delicious French dishes. I could not let my best friend leave without trying the delicious barbeque at Fox Brothers Bar-B-Q in Atlanta!

To work off all of the great dining during the week, we would jump back on our bikes and ride the PATH Foundation Trails in metro Atlanta every day that we can!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I am dedicating my shoutout to my wife, Patricia Braz-Wright, M.D.. She has been with me every step along our journey and she has encouraged me with each step. Prior to pursuing a career in finance, she noticed that I was looking at a financial magazine in the grocery store, and she encouraged me to buy it. Reading those articles, I began to think that I could be successful in the finance industry. Much later, as I thought about launching my own investment firm and joining the ranks of entrepreneurs, she encouraged me to step out on faith and try! Later, she recommended that I seek an art instructor to assist me in improving my ability to create art! She is my inspiration!

Patricia is a wonderful mother to our children, Leland, and Cydne. They are adults now, and because of her love – our family has thrived. She has touched many; her family, caring for patients as a physician, serving as a youth leader, and impacting our community as a nonprofit board member.

Website: www.decaturcapital.com,

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/degaswrightart/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/degas-wright-cfa-a801992/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/degaswright

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DegasWrightArt ,

Other: www.degaswright.com