The Black Male Achievers program has been secured and speculation about its future has been quashed.

Despite the concerns sparked by the new Florida law that restricts funding for diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, the enrichment program at Tallahassee Community College (TCC) will not be undergoing a name change.

Bryan Hooper, the program’s adviser, reassured WFSU that there had been no talks about changing the name, despite the confusing law. He stated, “There have been no talks upstream or downstream about the need or suggestion or requirement to change the name.”

On August 16, WFSU reported on Tyler Soto, a student at TCC and member of Black Male Achievers, who expressed fears that the program may have to change its name as a result of Florida’s law. The law was signed by Governor Ron DeSantis who suggested that diversity, equity, and inclusion programs were a form of reverse racism. DeSantis stated, “In fact, if you look at the way this has actually been implemented across the country, DEI is better viewed as standing for discrimination, exclusion, and indoctrination, and that has no place in our public institutions.”

The law, Senate Bill 266, was signed on May 15 and took effect on July 1. The Florida ACLU analyzed the bill and argued that it established an extreme level of government control over higher education. In a press release, they wrote that the “vague and overreaching language presents a threat to historically Black sororities and fraternities, and other groups such as veterans’ services and student religious groups.”

Denzel Wiggins, another Black Male Achievers program member, spoke to WFSU about his worries of the potential name change. He said, “I don’t think we should have to change our name because obviously it’s for the Black community. Trying to erase things that we’ve been through, that we had to deal with to get to where we are now is just trying to water down the things that we’ve done.” It is clear that many students are concerned about the implications of the law and are thankful that the name of the Black Male Achievers program at TCC will remain the same.

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