Why I Give: Donor Spotlight with Carmen Cornejo
Cultural Coalition is lucky to have so many dedicated longtime supporters. People who have seen the organization evolve and are genuinely invested in seeing us continue to grow!
Two of our biggest supporters over the years have been a dynamic couple in our community, Carmen Cornejo and Marcos Garciaacosta. Marcos is the founder and Managing Partner of Legal Business Global, a boutique-style law firm focusing on business law and intellectual property. Carmen is the chief operating officer of the firm. They are passionate about our community, and have been working for decades to improve our community life through advocacy in education and legal rights. Their business is an extension of their advocacy work.
Carmen Cornejo describes their business as “offering access to top-notch legal counsel and services that, for the most part, when offered by big and expensive legal firms, are sometimes out of reach to small and medium-sized businesses. Our mission is to be approachable and accessible to our clients.”
For decades, Carmen and Marcos have known Carmen and Zarco Guerrero through their art and providing a platform for all forms of Indigenous, Chicano, and Latino art. They have supported Cultural Coalitions’ mission of providing free cultural and artistic experiences to all. When asked what drew them to supporting Cultural Coalition, Carmen shared, “We are delighted that most of their efforts are guided to offer art to underprivileged kids and families with free events and classes. Children truly find an oasis of creativity, acceptance, and safety under the Cultural Coalition’s classes and after-school programming.”
On what inspired her and her husband Marcos to give, Carmen continued “Cultural Coalition, led by the dynamic Carmen Guerrero, gathers diverse local artists to offer authentic and enriching cultural experiences that make a difference in their lives. As Carmen and Zarco always say, “La Cultura Cura” – Culture and arts heal the soul.”
Carmen and Marcos also noted how Cultural Coalition always underscores the traditions of the borderlands with an authentic vision and makes people appreciate the importance of being Arizonans to keep our cultural heritage alive.
Carmen and Marcos support the El Rancho del Arte After School Program all year-round. From monetary donations to dropping off supplies for the children, Cultural Coalition is honored to have such committed donors who care about what we do. “We are happy to support such an amazing organization in any way we can, including regular monetary donations.” – Carmen Cornejo
Carmen offered this advice to anyone who is thinking about how to support, “I encourage all to attend Cultural Coalition’s events to fall in love with the non-profit. You will see color, stories, music, dance, families, children, and creativity. Although the events are offered free of charge, we have the responsibility to support Cultural Coalition to keep these events ongoing and strong. Our support means we support children and families to connect with creativity and art.”