My Story!

Since 1988 Ralph Jackson has generated a clientele of high net worth investors in sports and entertainment. He has succeeded in building his practice by delivering financial advice tailored to address each client's unique financial needs coupled with extraordinary service.

Ralph, along with his longtime associate Melissa Phillips aims to exceed the expectations of their clients by being readily available when needed.

Ralph graduated from the University of California Los Angeles with a bachelor's degree in Economics. At UCLA, Mr. Jackson was four year varsity basketball letterman. Mr. Jackson is active in his community volunteering his time coaching basketball for inner city youth in Los Angeles. In addition, Mr. Jackson is a former board member for one of Los Angeles most respected charitable organization bridging the gaps that exist in education.

Community Services:

Ralph Bunche Committee
Boys and Girls Club of Pasadena
Coaching – Say No League
Fulfillment Fund
Board Member - Boss Programs Business of Student Success
Services Include
Securities Agent: IL, GA, MN, DE, PA, OH, NY, MD, SC, WA, TX, OR, CO, CA, IN, FL, AZ, NJ, NC, TN, NV; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 1647930
CA Insurance License #: 0710219
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*

Wealth Management Process

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GSE - The Mid-City Group

Morgan Stanley's Global Sports & Entertainment is a highly specialized wealth management division, dedicated to serving the unique and complex needs of athletes, entertainers, creators and top professionals in the sports and entertainment industry.  The Mid-City Group can help you navigate these complex situations - our story begins with you.
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At The Mid-City Group, we understand the unique financial challenges of entertainers and can craft customized financial strategies that are tailored to your specific needs. Delivering the powerful resources of Morgan Stanley, we can work to translate our client's goals into a financial strategy designed to help grow assets, preserve wealth and ensure a successful financial life and legacy.
You’re Unique and We Know Why
There’s nothing common about you—not your talent, your drive, your achievements or even your challenges. From your variable income streams to your taxes, from your obligations to your aspirations, “typical” is not part of your vocabulary. You need distinctive financial strategies that match your lifestyle and career trajectory.
Concentrated Experience in Capable Hands
We at The Mid-City Group understand your unique financial opportunities and challenges. We know how money flows from your work to your wallet and live in your world, day in, day out, crafting innovative financial strategies.
Tailored Advice to Meet Your Life’s Goals
Whatever aspirations you have for yourself, your family and your community, we present strategies, products and services customized to help you reach your goals, your way while leveraging the vast array of Morgan Stanley resources.

INVESTMENT INSIGHT FROM OUR DESK TO YOURS

We are proud to work at Morgan Stanley, a global leader in financial services who has always put the needs of their clients first. At Morgan Stanley, we provide clients with resources meant to transform complex financial analysis and research into concise and easily digestible content. The content below offers insight into modern market and economic landscape.
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    GIC Weekly Research Report
    The Global Investment Committee's Lisa Shalett headlines this weekly look at markets, asset class performance, and fixed income
    Read the Latest Report
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    On The Markets Research Report
    Detailed market commentary from Morgan Stanley's thought leaders on topics such as global equities, fixed income, monetary policy and more.
    Read the Latest Report
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    Thoughts On The Market Podcast
    Join Mike Wilson, Chief Investment Officer and Chief Equity Strategist for Morgan Stanley, as he and his colleagues discuss a variety of viewpoints regarding the latest trends in the financial marketplace.
    Listen to the Latest Episode
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    Morgan Stanley Ideas Podcast
    The Morgan Stanley Ideas Podcast brings you revealing stories about the world of business, finance, technology, and beyond.
    Listen to the Latest Episode

Client Service Team

    Lucy H Sun - Senior Client Service Associate
    Phone:
    (213) 486-8928(213) 486-8928
    Email:Lucy.sun@morganstanley.com
    CA Insurance License #: `

Location

444 South Flower St, 34th
Fl
Los Angeles, CA 90071
US
Direct:
(213) 486-8942(213) 486-8942
Toll-Free:
(800) 832-7648(800) 832-7648

The Power of Partnerships

By partnering with experienced individuals across wealth disciplines, Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors can align specialized resources with your custom needs and deliver strategic guidance through the familiarity and trust of existing relationships

About Dwight Guinto

Dwight Guinto is a Private Banker serving Morgan Stanley Wealth Management offices in California.

Private Bankers partner with Financial Advisors to develop a specialized approach for managing clients’ cash flow, liquidity and financing needs, leveraging our comprehensive suite of cash management and lending solutions.

Dwight began his career in financial services in 1996, and joined Morgan Stanley in 2014 as a Private Banker. Prior to joining the firm, he was a Business Banking Area Manager at Wells Fargo. He also served as a Senior Business Relationship Manager and Business Development Officer at Wells Fargo.

Dwight is a graduate of the California State Polytechnic University - Pomona, where he received a Bachelor of Liberal Arts in Education. He lives in Monrovia, California with his family. Outside of the office, Dwight enjoys spending time with his family in outdoor activities.
NMLS#: 1211641

About Molly Sakahara

Molly Sakahara is an Assistant Vice President and Financial Planning Director serving Morgan Stanley’s Wealth Management offices in the Los Angeles area. She is responsible for helping Financial Advisors with their clients' and prospects' financial planning needs.

Molly began her career in financial services in 1999 and joined Morgan Stanley in 2015. Prior to her current position, she held positions in wealth management and private banking with an emphasis on helping individuals achieve long term life goals and understanding client’s value system in relation to their wealth.

Molly graduated from UCLA and holds her Certified Financial Planner® designation, California insurance state licensing, and Series 7 and 65. She currently resides in South Pasadena, California with her spouse and two children. Outside of work, she is a squash coach at PlayLA, a committee volunteer with UCLA Chancellor’s Society, is the founder and administrator of Buy Nothing Group for her local city, and serves on the Board of Directors for SoCal Squash Association.
Wealth Management
Global Investment Office

Portfolio Insights

Retirement

Working with you to understand your life goals and develop a personalized wealth strategy. Today and for the years to come.
  • 401(k) Rollovers
  • IRA Plans
  • Retirement income strategies
  • Retirement plan participants
  • Annuities
4 Financially Smart Ways to Take Money Out of Retirement Accounts
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4 Financially Smart Ways to Take Money Out of Retirement Accounts

Discover how planning for required minimum distributions from retirement accounts can help you fund future needs and support loved ones.

Investing

Working closely with you to guide your wealth and investments through the most challenging market cycles.
  • Asset Management
  • Wealth Planning
  • Traditional Investments
  • Alternative Investments
  • Impact Investing
2025 Global Economic Outlook: U.S. Policies May Temper Global Growth
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2025 Global Economic Outlook: U.S. Policies May Temper Global Growth

Global growth is likely to be around 3% in 2025 and 2026, as tariff and immigration policies begin to slow the U.S. economy late next year, and China's underperformance restrains emerging markets.

Family

Creating customized financial strategies for the challenges that today’s families face.
  • Estate Planning Strategies
  • 529 Plans / Education Savings Planning
  • Long Term Care Insurance
  • Special Needs Planning
  • Trust Services
Are You Prepared for Tax Day?
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Are You Prepared for Tax Day?

The countdown to Tax Day has begun. Here are some strategies to consider as the deadline approaches.

Business Planning

Helping you on key aspects of your business such as ownership, liquidity and developing opportunities.
  • Succession Planning
  • Business Planning
  • Qualified Retirement Plans
Financial Planning for Life After Selling a Business
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Financial Planning for Life After Selling a Business

Selling your business can mean big changes for your life, both personally and financially. Know how to make the most of your windfall.

Philanthropy

Making sure your philanthropic dollars are managed with the same high quality service as the rest of your wealth.
  • Endowments
  • Foundations
  • Donor Advised Funds
  • Impact Investing
Donor Advised Funds: A Smart Way to Manage Your Giving 
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Donor Advised Funds: A Smart Way to Manage Your Giving 

There’s more to charitable giving than you may realize. Here’s one method that may be a tax-efficient way to give and can help maximize your impact.

Wealth Management for Athletes and Entertainers

Understanding the unique financial challenges of athletes and entertainers and how they differ from one profession to the next, we deliver the experience and resources you need to help create and implement a comprehensive, multigenerational wealth management plan based on your needs, values and aspirations.
  • Investment Management
  • Wealth Transfer & Philanthropy
  • Private Banking Solutions
  • Family Governance & Wealth Education
  • Lifestyle Advisory
You are your Own CEO: Build a Dream Team for Your Career
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You are your Own CEO: Build a Dream Team for Your Career

Assembling a team of trusted professionals to manage your career—and your money—is essential to help best position you to thrive. Here’s how.
Ready to start a conversation? Contact Ralph A Jackson today.
Market Information Delayed 20 Minutes
1Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC is a registered Broker/Dealer, Member SIPC, and not a bank. Where appropriate, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC has entered into arrangements with banks and other third parties to assist in offering certain banking related products and services.

Investment, insurance and annuity products offered through Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC are: NOT FDIC INSURED | MAY LOSE VALUE | NOT BANK GUARANTEED | NOT A BANK DEPOSIT | NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY

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2Fixed Income investing entails credit risks and interest rate risks. When interest rates rise, bond prices generally fall.

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3An investment in an exchange-traded fund (ETF) involves risks similar to those of investing in a broadly based portfolio of equity securities traded on exchange in the relevant securities market, such as market fluctuations caused by such factors as economic and political developments, changes in interest rates and perceived trends in stock prices. The investment return and principal value of ETF investments will fluctuate, so that an investor’s ETF shares, if or when sold, may be worth more or less than the original cost.

Investors should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of an exchange-traded fund (ETF) before investing. The prospectus contains this and other information about the ETF. To obtain a prospectus, contact your Financial Advisor or visit the ETF company’s website. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing.

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4Fixed Income investing entails credit risks and interest rate risks. When interest rates rise, bond prices generally fall.

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5When Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors (collectively, “Morgan Stanley”) provide “investment advice” regarding a retirement or welfare benefit plan account, an individual retirement account or a Coverdell education savings account (“Retirement Account”), Morgan Stanley is a “fiduciary” as those terms are defined under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), and/or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”), as applicable. When Morgan Stanley provides investment education, takes orders on an unsolicited basis or otherwise does not provide “investment advice”, Morgan Stanley will not be considered a “fiduciary” under ERISA and/or the Code. For more information regarding Morgan Stanley’s role with respect to a Retirement Account, please visit www.morganstanley.com/disclosures/dol. Tax laws are complex and subject to change. Morgan Stanley does not provide tax or legal advice. Individuals are encouraged to consult their tax and legal advisors (a) before establishing a Retirement Account, and (b) regarding any potential tax, ERISA and related consequences of any investments or other transactions made with respect to a Retirement Account. Individuals should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving trust and estate planning, charitable giving, philanthropic planning and other legal matters.

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6Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving trust and estate planning and other legal matters.

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Check the background of our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck*.

The information, products and services described here are intended only for individuals residing in states where this Financial Advisor is properly registered as described in this site.

Morgan Stanley reserves the right, to the extent permitted under applicable law, to retain and monitor all electronic communications. Morgan Stanley will not accept purchase or sale orders via any Internet site, social media site and/or its messaging systems. Morgan Stanley does not endorse and is not responsible and assumes no liability for content, products or services posted by third-parties on any Internet site, social media site and/or its messaging systems. All electronic communications are subject to terms available at the following link:
https://www.morganstanley.com/disclaimers/mswm-email.html. Any profiles and associated content are for U.S. residents only.

The securities/instruments, services, investments and investment strategies discussed in this material may not be appropriate for all investors. The appropriateness of a particular investment, investment strategy or service will depend on an investor's individual circumstances and objectives. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC recommends that investors independently evaluate particular investments, strategies and services, and encourages investors to seek the advice of a Financial Advisor or Private Wealth Advisor. This material does not provide individually tailored investment advice. It has been prepared without regard to the individual financial circumstances and objectives of persons who receive it.

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Individuals should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for legal matters.

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”) is not implying an affiliation, sponsorship, endorsement with/of the third party or that any monitoring is being done by Morgan Stanley of any information contained within the website. Morgan Stanley is not responsible for the information contained on the third-party website or the use of or inability to use such site. Nor do we guarantee their accuracy or completeness.

The views, opinions or advice contained within third party websites or materials are solely those of the author, who is not a Morgan Stanley employee, and do not necessarily reflect those of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, or its affiliates. The strategies and/or investments referenced may not be appropriate for all investors as the appropriateness of a particular investment or strategy will depend on an investor's individual circumstances and objectives.

*References to length of service at Morgan Stanley include years at Morgan Stanley and predecessor firms.

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and federally registered CFP (with flame design) in the U.S, which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.

The use of the CDFA designation does not permit the rendering of legal advice by Morgan Stanley or its Financial Advisors which may only be done by a licensed attorney.  The CDFA designation is not intended to imply that either Morgan Stanley or its Financial Advisors are acting as experts in this field.

Awards Disclosures
CRC 6491812 (04/2024)