No More Goombay?

from staff reports

After Goombay 2008 closed August 24, rumors began to float suggesting that the annual street festival might be discontinued. The YMI Cultural Center has sponsored the African-Caribbean street festival for a quarter of a century, since the first Goombay celebration on The Block in 1982.

According to YMI Executive Director Harry Harrison, “The YMI Cultural Center has no serious plans about discontinuing its annual celebration of Goombay.” He pointed out that although the YMI, like other organizations, has undergone “tremendous City cut-backs, our community and corporate contributions remain steady.” A private, nonprofit arts and cultural organization, the YMI is an affiliate member of Pack Place. Like other nonprofit community groups, its financing is based on grants, membership and program fees, and contributions.

Harrison points out that the Board of the YMI sets each year’s budget and program schedule, including gallery exhibits, arts programs, concerts, and a variety of special events. “Ultimately,” says Harrison, whether or not to continue Goombay will be “a Board decision about our direction for the future.”