PRIDE FORT LAUDERDALE VP SPEAKS OUT ON CHAOS, CONCERNS SURROUNDING EVENT

John Hayden

It was supposed to be a match made in philanthropic heaven. Pride Fort Lauderdale and FlockFest together under one umbrella. The two organizations began working closely to see if it would work.

It didn’t.

But the experiment led to members of FlockFest getting an inside look at Pride as an organization. That included one of their board members becoming co-treasurer at Pride, and FlockFest founder Steven Crawford joining Pride’s board as vice president.

Crawford talked exclusively with SFGN about the two cultures and his hopes for Pride of the Americas (POTA) this weekend.

“The more and more we got involved, the more and more we said this is not a match.”

Crawford said he knew within three months of starting work with Pride that it wouldn’t work. SFGN has run a series of articles calling into question a lack of leadership, transparency, and organization at Pride.

Red Flags

Crawford joined Pride to explore the possibility of a merger and his main accomplishment has been modernizing Pride’s website. A Nov. 2, 2022 memo circulated among Pride leaders and obtained by SFGN, details a lack of organization.

SFGN obtained emails between Pride and the City of Fort Lauderdale through a public records request.

In one example of delays, the emails show Pride asking on Dec. 5 (two months before the event) about a $75,000 grant they were approved for in 2020. That’s when Pride of the Americas was initially scheduled to be held, but was canceled due COVID-19.

The city explained the grant had since expired and they’d have to ask for another one ASAP.

“…There is a very short timeline between the [Beach Business Improvement District] meeting and the event, considering that it also has to be approved by the City Commission I will have to figure out if and how it can be done,” a city official wrote.

In the email exchanges it appears Fort Lauderdale Commissioner Steve Glassman stepped to assist Pride on quickly getting another grant. The new, but smaller, grant of

$58,664 was approved Dec. 20.

That and other red flags had Crawford re-examining Pride’s plans as well as their contrasting cultures.

Crawford says that while Pride is a oneday-a-year event, FlockFest is out and about working all year. He believes that is backward.

“Pride should be in the community doing what FlockFest does, but that’s not how it is.”

“A red flag? It’s not the way I run FlockFest. I’ve already applied for permits and we’re six months out. I noticed we needed to cut back on Pride.”

He notes sponsors’ generosity was curtailed over the past year.

“I sat in on a lot of meetings between [Pride Executive Director] Kevin [Clevenger] and the sponsors and they said we gave X dollars last year and this year they said they would give half that.”

As mentioned above, the grant from the city came in more than 20% smaller. Glassman said Pride may not even get the full $58,664 though since POTA continued to be downsized after the grant was approved Dec. 20.

The sponsorship problem has increased over the past few weeks as Midland/CAN and Tito’s vodka withdrew about $150,000 in financial and product support. That is generally attributed to SFGN’s investigation.

“The [sponsors] read the articles and asked it to be corrected. They feel like it wasn’t and that’s their decision,” Crawford said.

SFGN approached Martorell and/or others in Pride for comment before each story, and they declined to comment on the record.

Exodus Of Leadership

People have been streaming out of Pride’s board and committees for months. Before Christmas, Clevenger announced he would leave after POTA. Others have left without much notice. Both board members from Midland/CAN resigned. Entertainment Director Shawn Palacious (aka Kitty Meow) left.

During our interview, 11 days before POTA, Crawford said FlockFest representatives would also follow suit.

“We were only in it to see the merger. Since we are not merging, there’s no reason for us to be on the board. But we are committed to making sure this event happens.”

“After this, we’re done,” he said.

He indicated that he and Emanuel Santos (FlockFest’s treasurer and Pride’s co-treasurer) would stay on through POTA because of its importance to the community.

“I’m committed to making sure this event happens.”

However, that may have changed since the interview took place. SFGN heard rumors of Santos’ departure late last week and can now confirm he has left.

Control Issues

Many people in Pride and its orbit say many of the issues lie with its president, Miik Martorell. He has run the organization for years and steered it through the pandemic. But he is also accused of micromanaging.

The Nov. 2, 2022 memo calling out delays also said petty grievances were getting in the way of producing POTA, and not utilizing people who have experience putting on large events.

“People have a skill set. They’re passionate about their job so let them do it. I agree with that.”

“I know there’s been frustration,” Crawford continued. “But I think with Miik, he’s been in control of this event for many, many years. People come in that are very qualified to do roles, so give them control. His personality is control.”

There’s also belief that Pride has grown so much and requires more attention.

“He’s very busy. I think he needs time to focus on that one area all the way down to the details. He has a lot on his plate.”

Crawford’s determination to keep POTA on track was clear in his voice.

“This event’s gonna happen.”

He wants it to be a success. But after a pandemic, delays, loss of sponsors and community support, what will constitute success?

“The fact that it’s happening makes it feel like it’s successful.”