Officials at Florida A&M University are speaking out after a recent television news report addressed a FAMU law student’s claim that the institution told her not to use the word “Black” in Black History Month flyers for upcoming events.
Why the word ‘Black’ was barred from Black History Month flyers
As Blavity reported, Aaliyah Steward, a student at FAMU’s College of Law, told News 6 Orlando last week that the school advised her not to use the word “Black” on the flyers she and other students from the Black Law Students Association had created to advertise Black History Month activities.
“We couldn’t use the word ‘Black’ in Black History Month. We need to abbreviate it,” Steward also said, noting the university also barred students from using other terms like “affirmative action” and “women.”
The school didn’t deny Steward’s claim in its response, stating that FAMU has been in “full compliance with Senate Bill 266 and Board of Governors’ Regulation 9.016,” which Gov. Ron DeSantis spearheaded, along with Republican legislators, to crack down on Florida schools’ use of diversity, equity and inclusion programs. FAMU said it has been in “full support” of the Governor’s initiative, along with federal court rulings.
“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,” Steward told News 6 Orlando.
FAMU officials respond to Steward’s claim
On Monday, FAMU President Marva Johnson and the College of Law’s Interim Dean Cecil Howard each released statements in response to Staward’s claim in the news report and to provide more context in FAMU’s initial statement on the situation.
“What occurred was a staff-level error—an overly cautious interpretation that went beyond what the law requires. It has been corrected, and I take full responsibility for ensuring it does not happen again,” Howard said in a statement obtained by News One and the Tallahassee Democrat.
After the report made headlines, Howard took action and met with some students to gain more clarity on the situation and how to rectify it.
“I immediately met with some of the students involved to provide clarification and to state unequivocally: the word ‘Black’ is not prohibited. No such restriction exists, and none has been directed by university leadership,” Howard said.
‘Black’ does not violate the Florida legislature, according to Johnson and Howard
Howard also stated that he and Johnson consulted a Florida higher education law expert about the words “Black,” “affirmative action,” and “women” and that the terms do not violate “Senate Bill 266, Board of Governors Regulation 9.016, or relevant federal guidance.”
Johnson shared similar sentiments, stating that the word “Black” is “central” to the meaning of the largest Historically Black College and University and Black History Month.
“As the state’s only public Historically Black University, the word ‘Black’ is central to the mission and identity of Florida A&M University. We take seriously our responsibility to communicate clearly and consistently on matters of law, governance, and public accountability. The University unequivocally confirms that the use of the word ‘Black,’ or the phrase ‘Black History Month,’ does not violate the letter, spirit, or intent of Florida Senate Bill 266, Board of Governors Regulation 9.016, or any relevant federal guidance,” Johnson explained, per News One.
She continued, “We will continue to support our students, faculty, and alumni in celebrating Black history in ways that are lawful, authentic, and aligned with the values that define Florida A&M University.”