A Florida A&M University student was told to remove the word "Black" from a Black History Month flyer, sparking national outrage. Law student Aaliyah Steward said a faculty member claimed using "Black" on promotional materials violated Florida's anti-DEI laws, which prohibit state funds for diversity initiatives at public universities.

Initially, FAMU supported the faculty member's interpretation, stating they were "in full compliance" with Senate Bill 266. The school later reversed course after media backlash, calling it a "staff-level error" caused by an "overly cautious" reading of the law. An education law expert confirmed that using the word "Black" does not violate any statutes.

Critics called the incident particularly egregious at a Historically Black College and University, with many questioning how Black students could continue attending FAMU. The controversy highlights the real-world consequences of Florida's anti-DEI policies and has intensified scrutiny of Governor DeSantis's education agenda. Steward said her event was postponed because the school "virtually ignored" her complaints until public pressure mounted.