The Southeastern Virginia Arts Association (SEVAA) inaugurated Afr’Am Fest on Memorial Day weekend, 1983. Today Afr’Am Fest has grown to become the largest African American cultural celebration on the East coast.

On March 9,1983, the Southeastern Virginia Arts Association was incorporated as a Virginia nonprofit to promote the arts and culture of African Americans in the Hampton Roads, Virginia region. The organization focuses on five disciplines: visual arts, dance, music, literary arts and theater. Southeastern Virginia Arts Association sponsors' activities that promote and assist artists and cultural organizations, encourages increased participation in the arts by African-American artists and arts organizations, and works to generate increased overall community support for the arts.