Struggling Black-Woman Owned Oaklandia Cafe
Donation protected
Hi,
I'm Latorra and I am the owner of Oaklandia Cafe I opened the café November 2019, 18 days just before giving birth to my second child. The cafe was my passion project that soon turned into my career. We operated for less than 4 months before the closure of our business, and like most parents we had no childcare, for our 2 children for 3 months.
COVID changed everything, my first year of being a business, and being in existence has been obstacle after obstacle, shutdowns, and no marketing budget. I have put in all my savings to keep us afloat, lost my job to try and salvage the cafe that my husband and I have worked so hard to obtain. Yet ,despite all my efforts to keep my business afloat I am behind on rent, PG&E, credit cards ,and have been denied several times for grants that they say are for black owned businesses either because my business has not been in operation long enough, or simply because the need exceeds the funds available. And yet, I keep going because unfortunately a 5 year signed lease is non-negoitable, our investor landlords want there money regardless if my family and I are suffering.
I am literally operating on a hope and a prayer with 2 children and no health insurance. It pains me to even ask for help, as I have always been independent and able to navigate things when things get tough. This time is different this time, I need help otherwise I and my family will loose it all. I am a black woman owned business owner that is tired of being left out of opportunities and I want to stay in business, why because I love what I do, serving delicious made from scratch food and amazing coffee drinks at Oaklandia Cafe.
By donating your funds will keep a black owned business in operation.
It will help an Oakland Family survive financially.
Thank you,
For taking the time to read this and donating.
Latorra
Owner of Oaklandia Cafe
I'm Latorra and I am the owner of Oaklandia Cafe I opened the café November 2019, 18 days just before giving birth to my second child. The cafe was my passion project that soon turned into my career. We operated for less than 4 months before the closure of our business, and like most parents we had no childcare, for our 2 children for 3 months.
COVID changed everything, my first year of being a business, and being in existence has been obstacle after obstacle, shutdowns, and no marketing budget. I have put in all my savings to keep us afloat, lost my job to try and salvage the cafe that my husband and I have worked so hard to obtain. Yet ,despite all my efforts to keep my business afloat I am behind on rent, PG&E, credit cards ,and have been denied several times for grants that they say are for black owned businesses either because my business has not been in operation long enough, or simply because the need exceeds the funds available. And yet, I keep going because unfortunately a 5 year signed lease is non-negoitable, our investor landlords want there money regardless if my family and I are suffering.
I am literally operating on a hope and a prayer with 2 children and no health insurance. It pains me to even ask for help, as I have always been independent and able to navigate things when things get tough. This time is different this time, I need help otherwise I and my family will loose it all. I am a black woman owned business owner that is tired of being left out of opportunities and I want to stay in business, why because I love what I do, serving delicious made from scratch food and amazing coffee drinks at Oaklandia Cafe.
By donating your funds will keep a black owned business in operation.
It will help an Oakland Family survive financially.
Thank you,
For taking the time to read this and donating.
Latorra
Owner of Oaklandia Cafe
Organizer
Latorra Monk
Organizer
Oakland, CA