DeSantis slashed $750,000 from the budget for a development fund for the Florida Museum of Black History. PHOTO COURTESY OF STJOHNSCULTURE.COM

By David L. Snelling

Miami – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed roughly $600 million worth of projects in the state’s $115 billion budget for 2025-2026 including programs for the Black community.

Among those axed from the budget were funding for a Black history museum, minority teacher scholarships and a mentorship program for Black students in South Florida.

Defunding the programs is part of Florida complying with President Trump’s DEI rollback policy which has cut funding nationwide for programs empowering minorities including tutoring, job training and cultural arts.

DeSantis slashed $750,000 from the budget for a development fund for the set aside by the Legislature for space in Opa-locka to promote awareness and appreciation of Black heritage in the state.

Opa-locka was among the finalists for the first-ever state run Florida Museum of Black History, after Ten North Group, a nonprofit organization with a 40-year history in affordable housing and community development, launched efforts to bring the facility to Miami-Dade.

The proposal for the museum, along Opa-locka Boulevard, included four floors of exhibition space, an outdoor terrace, a community area, a theater, and a sculpture.

Ten North Group painted Opa-locka with a rich tapestry of historical and cultural brush, with sites linked to Black history: predominantly Black population and its heritage includes Moorish architecture, its role in the military and its first Black employee.

However, a task force selected St. Augustine, Florida property owned by Florida Memorial University as the site for the museum and state lawmakers approved the project and $1 million to begin the designing stages for the facility.

After its bid for the museum failed, Opa-locka requested state funding for space to promote Black heritage.

State Sen. Shervin Jones (D-West Park) requested the funding.

“This initiative aims to create a space dedicated to preserving and celebrating the rich history, culture, and contributions of the Black community in Florida, while also serving as a hub for education, community engagement, and cultural enrichment,” Willie Logan, Ten North founder and a former state lawmaker, said in a statement.

DeSantis also cut $200,000 for One Hundred Black Men of South Florida at the Dr. Harold Guinyard Leadership Academy, a program focused on preparing middle and high school boys to be successful men and mentors in their communities.

Jones, who also requested the funding for the program, said he wasn’t surprised the governor vetoed the project.

“I’m not the least bit surprised. Look at the name of the organization, 100 Black Men. Look at the track record of this governor,” Jones said

DeSantis also squashed an estimated $1.5 million in grants for the Minority Teacher Scholarship Program, which is designed to attract more minority teachers in the classrooms.

DeSantis left funding for the state’s four HBCUs in the state budget, totaling $142 million in spending.

Florida A&M University (FAMU), the state’s only public HBCU, received the largest share at $110.5 million.

Bethune-Cookman University will receive $17 million, Edward Waters University is set to get $7.5 million, and Florida Memorial University will receive $7 million for operational funds to support instruction, student services, faculty development, and campus infrastructure.