This week, VOLS recognizes Delia A. Awusi from the Women’s Business Center at Business Outreach Center Network (BOC), for her exemplary work supporting the small business community.
Delia is a steadfast community partner and has assisted scores of VOLS’ clients throughout their small business paths. Delia is committed to giving back to her community. In addition to her work with VOLS, she is a founder of the African Conversations & Connections Tours (ACC), helping tell the African story by providing safe, world-class, and inclusive guided tours of Ghana. According to Delia, the wide range of business owners she witnessed has legal issues and is unaware of the resources out there have benefited her from partnering at VOLS to helping the community get assistance.
In conversation with VOLS Microenterprise Project VISTA Sofia Rinvil, Delia shared her experience throughout her career, including working with VOLS and pro bono volunteers to set small business owners up for success.
Thanks, Delia, for your valuable service!
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Sofia Rinvil: How does serving the small business community align with your personal and professional goals? What inspires you to serve this community?
Delia A. Awusi : Earlier in my life, I wanted to start my own business, which led me to pursue a business college and graduate degrees and I worked for major companies. Still, I knew something was missing. My father is an entrepreneur and small business owner, who inspires my personal and professional goals. Many small business owners don’t realize how many resources are out there. This inspires me to serve the community to support the small business community. Recently, I was able to help my father and so many other small business owners.
SR: What do you see as the role and effect of pro bono to your community members?
DA: The role and effect of pro bono to my community members are cheerleaders to supporting the community members. Legal services are so critical and needed in the community. VOLS, the lawyers, have been super supportive, patient, and amazing.
SR: Tell me about your experience working with the O’Melveny & Myers (OMM) attorneys on the workshop series. How was it received by the small business owners who attended?
DA: It was indeed a great experience. We had Arthur as the key contact person at VOLS, who did an excellent and thoughtful job pairing with the law firm. I like how the law firm asks questions to make sure they are on the same page. The kickoff meeting was very professional and allowed the chance to learn who will be coming to this workshop. There was a series of workshops this spring, including intellectual property, employment, and others. Marina and the law firm were very responsive, patient, and informative from the law firms.”
SR: What do you think is the role of pro bono attorneys for the small business community as the city enters a recovery period?
DA: The role of pro bono attorneys for the small business community as the city enters a recovery period is so critical, and we saw that during the pandemic. There were many issues with their landlord, who wasn’t empathetic. VOLS provided so many workshops for small business leases, contracts, advising clients one-on-one, advocating with the City on some laws and protection for small business owners, mentoring others, etc.
See more from Delia Awusi, speaking at the VOLS New York, Together Awards in June 2021: