FAMU says banning the word “Black” from a student’s Black History Month flyer was a mistake.
Leaders at Florida A&M University acknowledged that staff at its College of Law in Orlando made an “overly cautious interpretation” of Florida law during the event approval process. According to university officials, that interpretation went beyond what the law actually requires.
Interim Dean Cecil Howard said the language was flagged in error and confirmed that the word “Black” and the phrase “Black History Month” are not prohibited under state regulations. University officials clarified that no Florida law bans the use of the word “Black” in student programming or promotional materials.
The controversy began when a law student organizing a Black History Month event said she was instructed to remove or abbreviate the word “Black” from her flyer. She was also reportedly advised to avoid terms such as “affirmative action” and “women.” The guidance was tied to concerns about compliance with Florida Senate Bill 266, which restricts public universities from using state or federal funds for certain Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives.
However, the university later clarified that Senate Bill 266 does not ban specific words. It also does not prohibit student organizations from using terms related to race, gender, or civil rights in their materials.
FAMU President Marva Johnson emphasized that Black History Month celebrations remain permitted and supported. The university said it has corrected the issue and is taking steps to ensure similar misunderstandings do not happen again.
The incident sparked concern among students, particularly given FAMU’s identity as a historically Black university. Now, administrators say the record is clear: the restriction should not have happened.
