While the notion of revitalizing vacant buildings in Oakland and San Francisco into centers of Black culture and art has garnered Binta Ayofemi praise, this ambitious artist is now facing allegations of unpaid rent from multiple commercial property owners. According to SF Chronicle, Ayofemi's nonprofit organization, Ground Urban, has been involved in multiple projects intending to create a bookstore, a craft distillery, and an arts and events space, but at least five property owners claim that rental payments have since ceased.
These property owners suggest that Ayofemi's missed payments sum up to hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt, and they also mention that certain spaces were left untouched. This series of claims casts a shadow over the artist's intentions and raises questions about her financial capabilities. In an SF Chronicle interview with Oakland attorney Shona Armstrong, who rented space to Ayofemi, she said, "There is no substance backing up these visions. There is no follow-through."
Despite these claims, Ayofemi received SFMOMA's prestigious SECA award for rising artists in 2022, Daily Mail reported. She continued her work with Ground Urban, although records show that the organization's business entity status was suspended by the Franchise Tax Board, per the SF Chronicle.
As a response to the allegations, Ayofemi has denied any record of not paying rent; however, court records show that she was evicted from at least three other Oakland buildings and ordered to pay tens of thousands of dollars in back rent and fees. Ayofemi intends to resolve all disputes, according to her interview with SF Chronicle. She also expressed her intentions to continue operating her cafe and wine bar, Dusk Coffee, at the property she rented from Brian Breyre, who claims she owes him "well over $100,000" in unpaid rent.
However, the timeline begins to make more sense when we consider that Ayofemi has been involved in revitalizing spaces since 2018 through her organization Ground Urban. An Oakland Voices article published on April 4, 2022, sheds light on the artist's pre-pandemic work, which includes creating installations outdoors, such as those at Sam Jordan's Bar and Grill in San Francisco's Bayview neighborhood. Furthermore, Ayofemi's work on transforming vacant lots and store-fronts is still receiving positive attention, despite these more recent allegations.
In light of these accusations, it is essential to remember that Ayofemi's work has consistently aimed to reclaim spaces for Black art. Although she faces allegations of unpaid rent and financial troubles, she has maintained perseverance in her vision. She recently debuted "BLACK ENERGY," a sculpture series that explores "Black and indigenous music, movement, and land practices."
