Overview
- Law student Aaliyah Steward said she was told words including “Black,” “affirmative action” and “women” could not appear on Black History Month promotions.
- Interim law dean Cecil Howard and President Marva Johnson later confirmed that using “Black” or “Black History Month” does not violate SB 266 or Board of Governors Regulation 9.016.
- Officials called the restriction an overly cautious, staff‑level misinterpretation, after consulting a higher‑education law expert who affirmed no such ban exists.
- FAMU said it is overhauling its communications review, with Howard taking sole, final approval of student event materials while a new process is implemented.
- The episode drew widespread media attention and renewed warnings that Florida’s anti‑DEI spending rules create confusion and a chilling effect on campus speech.