NAACP calls for another Florida boycott, now over universities nixing DEI

Eric Daugherty contributed to this report.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Leader Derrick Johnson urged all Black college athletes to reconsider attending “predominately white institutions” in Florida, pointing to diversity, equity and inclusion being “paramount.”

In his letter to current and future student athletes of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, Johnson said Gov. Ron DeSantis has made “no effort to conceal his administration’s devaluation of Black America.”

“From racist voting policies, to unraveling reproductive freedoms and attempting to rewrite Black history, DeSantis has waged war on Black America,” Johnson said.

The NAACP leader pointed to what he called a “sad reality.”

“For many Black student-athletes, collegiate sports may be their sole opportunity at achieving the upward mobility necessary to propel them into their rightful places in society,” said Johnson, who is the president and CEO of the NAACP.

Johnson’s letter came shortly after the University of Florida nixed its diversity, equity and inclusion staff, also known as DEI, in accordance with new state law and rules.

“Diversity, equity, and inclusion are paramount to ensuring equitable and effective educational outcomes,” Johnson said in a statement regarding the letter, “The value Black and other college athletes bring to large universities is unmatched.”

“If these institutions are unable to completely invest in those athletes, it’s time they take their talents elsewhere,” Johnson continued.

He said “this imbalance of power and profit demands a response.”

“Particularly because these institutions reap considerable financial benefits from the very individuals they fail to stand by in matters of diversity, equity, and inclusion,” Johnson said. ” If any institution is to reap the benefits of Black talent, it is only right that they completely invest in Black futures.”

The University of Florida’s actions come as a result of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ and Florida Republican lawmakers’ crackdown on DEI in higher education.

In an administrative memo, administrators of the University of Florida announced that to comply with new Board of Governors rules, it has removed its DEI “positions and administrative appointments” and stopped contracts with DEI-focused vendors, per school paper The Independent Florida Alligator.

Eliminated staff are receiving 12 weeks of pay, the memo said.

Aside from the staff cut, $5 million is being redirected into a “faculty recruitment fund” that previously went to DEI expenses. The university said it had to previously report those expenditures to the Florida government.

The university is encouraging the staff to apply for other positions at the university. It is giving “expedited” consideration for those who apply by April 19. The expedition includes fast-tracking interviews.

“Florida is where DEI goes to die…” DeSantis previously said in response.

Florida International University was another major school to recently disband its DEI office.

In January, governing bodies over the State University System and Florida College System passed rules implementing state law to ban taxpayer funding of DEI.

DeSantis ultimately signed legislation in May 2023 legally ordering the end of DEI funding in taxpayer-funded institutions.

The following lawmakers carried the bills cracking down on DEI: Sens. Erin Grall, R-Fort Pierce, and Keith Perry, R-Gainesville; and Reps. Alex Andrade, R-Pensacola, and Spencer Roach, R-North Fort Myers.

NAACP’s mission, according to their website, is to achieve equity, political rights, and social inclusion by advancing policies and practices that expand human and civil rights, eliminate discrimination, and accelerate the well-being, education, and economic security of Black people and all persons of color.

The NAACP Board of Directors also previously warned Black Americans to be advised of “hostile” Florida policies if considering a trip to the state. Florida’s tourism continued to post strong numbers despite that advisory.