Florida A&M: Barring 'Black' from Black History Month flyer was an error

A law student said she was told using words like ‘Black’ and ‘women’ could run afoul of state DEI laws.

Florida A&M University officials said an employee incorrectly instructed a law student to strip the word “Black” from a flyer promoting Black History Month events out of concern it could violate state rules tied to diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.

Last week, student Aaliyah Steward told an Orlando news station that the university said she couldn’t use “Black,” as well as “affirmative action” and “women,” on an event flyer.

That guidance was caused by a “staff-level error — an overly cautious interpretation that went beyond what the law requires,“ Cecil Howard, the associate provost and interim dean of Florida A&M’s College of Law, said in a message to the law school community obtained by the Tampa Bay Times.

Florida A&M told the Orlando station that the university has been in compliance with a state law prohibiting public universities from using state funds for diversity, equity and inclusion programs.

https://www.tampabay.com/news/education/2026/02/09/florida-am-barring-black-black-history-month-flyer-was-an-error/

Florida A&M is an HBCU.