“We’re going to have to change the name of our organization or they’re going to defund it because it has ‘Black’ in front of it,” Tyler Soto, a student and a member of Black Male Achievers, told WUSF. 

New names are now being considered, such as “Male Achievers” and “Scholar Male Achievers.”

The law prohibits student organizations from receiving state or federal funding if they “advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion” or are involved in certain social or political causes. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 266 into law on May 15, and it was slated to go into effect in July, according to NBC Miami.

‘‘This has basically been used as a veneer to impose an ideological agenda and that is wrong,” DeSantis said, according to the news outlet. “In fact, if you look at the way this has actually been implemented across the country, DEI is better viewed as standing for discrimination, exclusion and indoctrination, and that has no place in our public institutions.”

This new law threatens activities historically led by Black fraternities and sororities, which have advocated for equality and the advancement of people of color in the United States. Black student organizations are largely funded by students, but colleges and universities sometimes provide them with space and food for campus activities, according to BET, and the law may affect that.

For some students, the law has encouraged them to get more involved in politics as they get ready for the upcoming academic year.

“It has made me want to step up and be the change,” Soto said.

Other members of the Black Male Achievers have also called out the law, as well as others restricting how race and African American history are taught in K-12 schools and colleges.

“I don’t think we should have to change our name because obviously it’s for the Black community, so I’m not a fan,” Denzel Wiggins, a member of the Black Male Achievers, told WUSF. 

“Trying to erase things that we’ve been through that we had to deal with to get to where we are now is just trying to water down the things that we’ve done,” he added. “I think our history is very important.”

Black Male Achievers was founded with the aim of empowering and educating minority men, according to the Tallahassee Community College website. The organization provides mentoring and academic advising, as well as academic and professional skill development through workshop events and guest speakers. The goal is to help students graduate and enter the workforce. Members are also eligible to apply for scholarships.