For Fedrick C. Ingram, secretary-treasurer of the American Federation of Teachers, the hiring of Marva Johnson by Florida A&M University (FAMU) is a calculated political strategy to control Black institutions and influence how future generations think.
“They are trying to change the mindset, get into the brain trust of young people to try and change history, to try and change a cultural mindset,” Ingram asserted. “And we can’t allow that to happen because what they’re trying to do is eradicate history, have revisionist history so that these young people will promote something different in the future.”
Representing 1.8 million educators and professionals, Ingram didn’t hold back in criticizing the FAMU board of trustees for selecting Johnson as the institution’s 13th president — a longtime ally of Gov. Ron DeSantis — despite widespread protests, concerns about her qualifications, and growing backlash from students and alums.
“I think we all need to be concerned about the politics that is being inserted directly into not only our K-12 classroom, but our colleges and university systems, and now specifically to our HBCUs (historically Black colleges and universities),” he said.
Timothy L. Beard, FAMU interim president, noted that many people were surprised by the university board tapping Johnson, but said their choice “reflects a vision for ‘navigating a rapidly evolving higher education landscape.’”
“[The vision] values innovation, adaptability, and strategic partnerships to position FAMU for long-term success,” according to Beard’s May 19 statement.
However, Ingram noted Johnson is far underqualified for the job.
“Marva Johnson’s only track record in education has been to be the state board chair of the education board,” Ingram said. “And she was appointed to that board by Governor DeSantis. And previous to that, she was appointed to a number of boards by former Governor Rick Scott, who is also an ultra-conservative and has done our colleges and universities and K-12 schools in Florida no justice.”
He explained that Johnson “has never been a teacher, has never been an instructor, has never been an adjunct instructor, has never been a professor, has never served on higher education administrations.”
The American Federation of Teachers secretary-treasurer also said he did not appreciate the way Johnson’s appointment came to be.
“To have her at the very last minute be inserted into a flagship university like Florida A&M University — a school that we all hold dear and is a public institution — to have her inserted even in the process and then have the board of trustees carry the water for this governor is, again, it’s troubling,” Ingram said.
He pointed to her silence during moments of statewide controversy as further disqualification, including sitting silently and nearby as DeSantis incredulously claimed that slavery was good for the enslaved.
Ingram said this isn’t about a single hire — it’s about gaining control over institutions that have historically developed Black leadership.
“They’re not trying to simply run schools — they’re trying to run our minds,” he said. “They want to control institutions that shape how Black students see the world and see themselves. If we allow something like this to happen at a flagship school like Florida A&M University, then we have a bigger, broader problem. It’s the same thing that’s happening at Harvard University. It’s the same thing that’s happening at Columbia University.”
With thousands already signing a petition calling on the board to reverse Johnson’s appointment, Ingram said now is not the time to let up.
“Let me tell you what we’re up against,” he said. “We’re up against a state that has been riddled by President [Donald] Trump and Governor DeSantis in the same state. I’m letting the alumni know, the community know, and those people who care about this HBCU to keep a watchful eye and keep a loud voice going, because that is the only way you’re going to make change.”
As a leader with the American Federation of Teachers, Ingram noted the great responsibility Johnson possesses, expressing concern about how the DeSantis ally will move forward as the institution’s leader.
“The question is not what the alumni will do,” Ingram concluded. “The question is, what is Marva Johnson going to do for FAMU when the pressure comes down from the governor’s office or from the President of the United States to say, do this and carry our water? Will she resist, or will she give in and give up on one of our treasures?”
