Community Educator Battles Retaliation from Landlord

Since the celebrated grand opening of her nonprofit educational institution Suewong McFadden Academy, Suewong has found herself embroiled in a legal and emotional battle she never anticipated. What began as a promising opportunity to serve students and families in Arizona has turned into a troubling case involving alleged landlord retaliation, financial coercion, and ongoing threats of unlawful eviction.

At the heart of the dispute is McFadden’s landlord—Proverbs Group Home LLC, a Black-owned property group—who she says has engaged in a disturbing pattern of unfair practices that now threaten her ability to keep the school running.

“This goes far beyond a lease disagreement,” McFadden says. “It has become a fight for our survival as a nonprofit educational institution and a warning to other small business owners.”

Key Allegations

According to legal documents and correspondence reviewed by McFadden’s legal team, the landlord has:

• Failed to Provide Financial Transparency: Monthly utility statements and late fee notices were withheld for months, only for a lump sum demand to arrive unexpectedly—without any prior notice or justification.

• Issued Unlawful Insurance Demands and Eviction Threats: McFadden alleges she was pressured to obtain insurance coverage not outlined in the lease. When she declined, the response was swift—threats of eviction and increased harassment.

• Disrupted Operations with Unauthorized Tours: On multiple occasions, the landlord reportedly allowed individuals to enter the school property during and after hours without notice, disrupting the learning environment and violating privacy.

• Selective Lease Enforcement: While allegedly breaching terms of the lease themselves, the landlord’s legal representatives have, according to McFadden, selectively enforced lease provisions against her—some not even included in the original agreement.

These claims have been formally submitted in an amended civil complaint (Case No. CV2024-035961), supported by a collection of emails, text messages, and photographic evidence. A copy of the filing can be viewed here (via the Maricopa County Superior Court).

A Deeper Issue

McFadden’s story underscores what many see as a broader issue in Arizona and beyond: the lack of meaningful protections for commercial tenants, particularly small businesses and nonprofits.

“If this can happen to a school that’s serving the community, imagine what other small businesses are quietly enduring,” she adds.

As she continues her legal fight, McFadden has launched a GoFundMe to help the school relocate and remain operational. The campaign is live at:
🔗 https://gofund.me/bd31ed83

She’s also shared more background and personal insight into the situation on her YouTube channel, available here:
🎥 https://youtu.be/4lb4tN4sUAw

McFadden describes the past 7–8 months as both mentally and financially exhausting, but remains determined to share her story and advocate for others who may be facing similar challenges behind closed doors.

Looking Ahead

Habari Entertainment has reached out to Proverbs Group Home LLC for comment on these allegations and is currently awaiting a response.

In the meantime, McFadden is calling on community members, educators, and advocates to rally behind her cause—not just for her school, but for the many small business owners navigating an often unbalanced landlord-tenant landscape.