After NAACP urges student-athletes to reconsider Florida colleges, local chapter offers guidance

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) - After the NAACP urged student-athletes to reconsider attending Florida colleges and universities, the leader of the capital city’s chapter is speaking more about the decision.

The president of the Tallahassee Chapter of the NAACP, Mutaqee Akbar, explained that the letter was connected to the state’s decision to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion programs at all Florida universities. He said students could consider going to universities outside of Florida. He said if students want to stay in-state, they could consider going to an HBCU.

“Go to other states where they aren’t attacking black history and they’re not attacking DEI,” Akbar said. “Maybe at that point, the universities will step up. Maybe the fans will step up, alumni will step up and say these policies that are being implemented by the DeSantis administration and our legislature are not right.”

Schools in the capital city say they are in compliance with state regulations on diversity, equity and inclusion programs.

A spokesperson at Florida State University told WCTV that the school’s DEI programs have been discontinued as of fall 2023. Two related positions were repurposed and one position was given alternative duties, according to the university representative.

“The Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Office was discontinued,” she wrote. “Any functions allowed by law were moved to the Human Resources Office of Equal Opportunity Compliance and Engagement (EOCE).”

A spokesperson at Florida A&M University told WCTV “The school does not have any DEI positions.”

Many student-athletes said they did not feel comfortable commenting on the letter, but one chose to voice his opinion. Jamin Bryant has spent three years at FAMU. He plays football and basketball and runs track. During track practice, the Rattler athlete said DEI programs are worth standing up for.

“As a minority student-athlete, if there’s something going on in the school organization that kind of circumscribes your background knowledge of your culture, I feel like you should make a change or go find a different option,” Bryant said.

Other students said they are concerned that only looking at schools outside of the Sunshine State could limit young athletes from playing at schools with highly competitive athletic programs.

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