Florida A&M University took to the capitol Thursday for its annual day of facetime before state lawmakers.
FAMU’s famed Marching 100 band played the hits, cheerleaders led alumni and watchers on and overall, the mood was festive, right before a spring shower rolled through.
For FAMU Board of Trustees Chairman Kelvin Lawson, the annual day at the capitol is for more than just a good time. It’s to put the school top of mind before the lawmakers who will make the decisions on a broad array of issues like funding, that have real impacts on the people that make up the "FAMU-LY."
"There are a number of things floating around that could impact us in a number of different ways," said Lawson. "We’re just optimistic that the legislators and senators are going to make the right decisions and pull for those things that are in the best interest of higher ed. To continue to help all of us, including FAMU, keep moving forward."
Lawson didn’t say it directly, but one such legislative proposal aimed at eliminating topics and conversations state Republicans deem as divisive, is now moving in the Senate.
The plan no longer calls for an elimination of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, but critics argue a rewritten version of it is far worse. In that, it ties certain subjects to last year’s “STOP WOKE” act, which places restrictions on how aspects of race, gender, and history can be taught and discussed in public education.
The impact of the bill on FAMU, the state’s only, public Historically Black University, has often come up in the debate over that measure.
Politics aside, the afternoon was also spent celebrating some of FAMU’s latest achievements.
FAMU President Larry Robinson took to the school’s Instagram to thank political leaders for their contributions.
“If you are here today at the capitol advocating on behalf of Florida A&M University, first begin by thanking the legislators who has helped us in previous years to get to this point," said Robinson. "We really are proud of being the highest-ranked public HBCU in the nation.”