ORLANDO, Fla. – For the past several years, Florida’s 12 public universities have been prohibited from using state or federal funds for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) programs, following legislation signed by the governor and reinforced by theState Board of Governors.
Now, a Florida A&M University law student says those restrictions are having a direct impact on student organizations even during Black History Month.
Aaliyah Steward says she is in her final year at Florida A&M University College of Law, and she has encountered obstacles while trying to promote Black History Month events for the Black Law Students Association.
According to Steward, certain words were flagged during the approval process for event flyers.
“It was ‘black,’ ‘affirmative action,’ and ‘women’ as well,” Steward said.
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Steward says she was told those words could not be broadcast or published.
“We couldn’t use the word ‘black’ in Black History Month. We would have to abbreviate it,” she said. “I was very angry and baffled because this is a Historically Black College and University, and for them to say we can’t use the word ‘black’ was kind of insane.
News 6 brought Steward’s concerns to Florida A&M University officials. In a statement, the university did not deny the claims and emphasized its compliance with state law.
“Florida A&M University has consistently been in full compliance with Senate Bill 266 and Board of Governors’ Regulation 9.016. We support and have implemented the policy direction established by the Governor, the Legislature, and the Board of Governors as it relates to DEI, and consistent with related federal court rulings.
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) is committed to fostering a campus community that encourages the free exchange of ideas while ensuring an environment of mutual respect, safety, and awareness. The University recognizes that freedom of expression is fundamental to academic inquiry, personal development, and civic engagement."
Steward says the restrictions feel like censorship.
“I just don’t want us to be censored this way. Not being able to use the word ‘black’ is very frustrating,” she said.
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In 2024, the State Board of Governors, which oversees Florida’s 12 public universities, including FAMU, voted to ban the use of state or federal dollars for diversity programs and activities, aligning with the law signed by the governor.
For Steward, the situation has cast a shadow over her final year of law school.
“We’re just trying to promote the core mission statement diversity and inclusion for everybody, so it’s very frustrating,” she said.
News 6 has followed up with Florida A&M University, requesting more specific details about what language was restricted and why. The university has not yet responded.
Steward says she recently resubmitted a Black History Month flyer without abbreviations and is still waiting to hear back from university officials.