NAACP, DEI supporters call on Black athletes to avoid colleges in states with anti-DEI laws

(CNN) – Black activists, political leaders and supporters of diversity, equity and inclusion programs are urging Black student athletes to boycott colleges and universities in states that have promoted or passed anti-DEI policies. Their calls come as 81 anti-DEI bills that target programs at colleges have been introduced in 28 states and in Congress since the start of 2023, according to a tally by the Chronicle of Higher Education. Eight have been signed into law, in states, including Texas and Florida. After the Florida Board of Governors banned public colleges from spending state funding on all DEI programs in January, the University of Florida made sweeping changes. Earlier this month, the state’s flagship university announced that it had closed the office of its Chief Diversity Officer to comply with the Board of Governors’ directive. Related Stories In response, the NAACP sent a letter Monday to the attention of Charlie Baker, the president of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, imploring current and prospective student athletes “to reconsider any decision to attend, and compete at a predominantly White institution” in Florida. The letter emphasized the value Black athletes often bring to collegiate sports programs. “Florida’s dismantling of core representation and curricula is...