Rashod Ollison
The Virginian-Pilot
©
NORFOLK
The long time producer of the Afr'Am Fest has shut down, leaving unpaid bills and doubts about the event's future.
The Southeastern Virginia Arts Association, or SEVAA, dissolved on Aug. 11, according to papers filed with the State Corporation Commission.
On Tuesday, a lawyer for security workers hired for this year's Afr'Am Fest said the workers recovered about one-quarter of $43,000 in back wages from the company.
Martin Thomas Jr., attorney for the police and sheriff's deputies who provided security, said the group has garnisheed one of the association's bank accounts, containing $10,500. "We feel we're owed a whole lot more than that," he said.
But lawyers were stymied in an attempt to get more financial information Tuesday at a closed conference in Norfolk General District Court. Thomas said Donna Smith, executive director of SEVAA, told him the association had been dissolved and she was done with the festival. Smith declined to comment Tuesday morning after the court hearing.
Smith told the New Journal & Guide the debt from the lawsuit forced the organization out of business. She said unpaid bills mounted after the festival was switched from Memorial Day, and now total $70,000, according to the Norfolk-based paper.
About 50 security workers at the three-day event in May sued for back wages. Event organizers claimed they were being overcharged for the work. In July, a general district judge ruled the festival must pay the bill. The city has offered to contribute $11,000 toward the bill.
The association's shutdown could bring a quiet end to the region's largest African American cultural festival.
The idea for Southeastern Virginia Arts Association sprang in November 1982 from a Black Art Forum sponsored by Norfolk State University. SEVAA, a nonprofit, was formed to address the under-representation of black organizations in Hampton Roads. Focusing on visual arts, dance, music, literary arts and theater, SEVAA started operations in spring 1983.
The Afr'Am, the organization's biggest event, began soon afterward and eventually became one of Hampton Road's most popular festivals, second only to Harborfest. Afr'Am organizers reported that their festival drew nearly 300,000 people in 2008.
Councilman Paul Riddick said the festival had become an important celebration for the African American community and the city. "In its heyday, it was a great economic infusion - hotel rooms, restaurants and people coming to Norfolk for Afr'Am," he said.
Although the festival dates have changed in recent years, it still draws thousands to downtown Norfolk every year. Its proceeds are used to fund art and cultural programs in poor neighborhoods.
Several calls to the organization 's board members were not returned. City spokesman Bob Batcher said although the city sometimes clashed with festival organizers and took issue with some of the behavior at Town Point Park during Afr'Am, it always supported SEVAA's mission to promote the arts.
Riddick said it was unfortunate to see SEVAA run into hard times. He added: "Somebody needs to have Afr'Am again. It's important to the area and the people."
Louis Hansen, (757) 446-2341, louis.hansen@pilotonline.com
Rashod Ollison, (757) 446-2732, rashod.ollison@pilotonline.com
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Shameful
It's sad and shameful that an organization like SEVAA would fail to uphold a responsibilty and be accountable for the true failure and sudden dissolving of the organization. What amazes me is that the IRS records are not updated and nowhere to be found relative to this non-profit organization and when inquiry was made about the actual 'giving' of funds/scholarships the exec. dir. Donna Smith claimed that only $12,000. to $17,000. was actually awarded. Their brochure claimed 6 digit figures were awarded but she addressed this with the reply, "that's a typo." Pretty vast difference but let's do a little math. In the past 300,000 folks passed through the gate at anywhere from $10 a day to $35 or more for the 3 day pass. Let's run with 300,000 x $10 (the lesser) which equates to 3 million $. Where has all the money gone since they have given on ave. $10,000-$20,000 a year? Even at the brochure's claim of '6 digits' that leaves a great deal of failed fiscal management. Funds do not just dry up nor do most non-profits of this size require 7 digit expenditures to keep the doors open. Scamming anyone but especailly those you claim to be helping is abominable and detrimental to all r
Af'ram security not paid?
Well for me it didn't take a crystal ball to know that the Af'ram security was not going to be paid. Did someone say that the SEVAA was non-profit. I'm telling you that somebody(ies) have profited from this crime that has taken place. I agree that the security should have a secure account set up, regardless of the profit or loss of the event as a whole, to make sure that security got paid for their time. And the ignorant person that said that the amount to be paid to secuirty was higher than thought was just plain stupid. Wouldn't you hope that anyone with any kind of sense would itemize out all expenses before putting on the event. A money making event? Oh yes! It was money making for those who were behind the curtain and stole the money. They knew from day one that they were not going to pay for security. What do you think it says when even the community around Norfolk State didn't want the event in their own area? Yeah, I know. They didn't want the traffic and congestion. I think it was more the "kind of traffic." It's a shame that a fews people's rude behavior...tarnishes the event as a whole. Anytime an event is held, I feel that as a whole...people want to have a good time wi
Finally ----
I'm glad that it's gone and I hope it never comes back!!
Can't we all just get along?
Can't we use a Norfolk City credit card to pay this off???
Where did their money go?
The charged admission fees to the general public to attend
The charged some hefty vendor fees to those who participated.
They, it seems, did not pay their bills.
So I am curious. Where did the money go?
Somebody got it
The hits keep on coming in Norfolk. The corp. goes bankrupt, but the officers and employees got salaries and benefits paid by the corp, which can't be touched in bankruptcy, but the vendors, contractors etc. don't get paid. I foresee these same players forming another organization, and conning Norfolk or another locality into allowing them to put on a similar event, and starting the process all over again. They gotta make a living somehow, and robbing banks leads to jail time.
another crook story out of norfolk
What is it with Norfolk and corrupted or crooked people? I agree, take the fest and it's money to Portsmouth if someone is willing to step up and produce it.
Afram Fest
I would love to see them come to Portsmouth. We'll treat them right.
Please...not Portsmouth.
Please...not Portsmouth. We've got enough problems here already.
Not a good idea
Ptown aint ready yet... Although its on the right track.. but not yet