As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact businesses, many entrepreneurs face additional challenges in navigating the complex legal landscape. One organization working to support these entrepreneurs is Community Assistance Friends Enterprise (CAFE), founded by executive director Rebecca Emerson in 2020. CAFE provides free legal and business consulting to marginalized entrepreneurs, including women, LGBTQ+, people of color, and other marginalized groups who often face barriers to accessing legal resources.
Emerson, a business-centric general practice attorney, runs CAFE in conjunction with volunteer attorneys, a professional team, and a board of directors. Emerson and her team offer services ranging from filing for an LLC to creating contracts, with the goal of ensuring that entrepreneurs have the legal support they need to succeed.
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However, many entrepreneurs who could benefit from CAFE’s services may not be aware of the organization or feel hesitant to access legal assistance. Emerson acknowledged that many business owners may not have had positive experiences with attorneys, which can deter them from seeking legal assistance. Additionally, many entrepreneurs may not know how to go about getting legal assistance or what kind of legal support they need.
Despite these challenges, CAFE has already helped a number of entrepreneurs, such as Toni Lorraine Johnson, who utilized CAFE’s services to draw up contracts for her business, and Dorothi Vaughn, who received support for her dental billing and consulting business and her transportation business for people with disabilities and seniors. By providing free legal and business consulting, CAFE is helping to level the playing field for marginalized entrepreneurs who might otherwise struggle to navigate the complex legal landscape.
35 mins ago
