African American History

Olympia Baylou had a successful career in finance for many years before she switched to teaching middle school full time.

We also feature WUSF audio postcards highlighting Black history this month.

On this week's Florida Roundup, we discussed Gov. Ron DeSantis' education policies, interim New College President Richard Corcoran getting a pay bump of nearly $400,000 over his predecessor, and explain ESG investing.

On Black History Month, listeners share their stories about discovering their connections to the past. We hear from a white woman who recently discovered that she has Black ancestry.

Said Sharpton: “Our children need to know the whole story. Not to not only know how bad you were, but to know how strong they are."

Tensions became public after the state rejected several topics that were proposed for inclusion in an Advanced Placement African American studies course.

The nonprofit says Florida leaders never suggested specific changes to the new AP African American Studies course. Gov. Ron DeSantis said the state may "reevaluate" its relationship with the group.

The letter to the College Board regarding “AP classroom” the Florida Department of Education references a back-and-forth between the two entities that goes back to last year.

The College Board, which oversees Advanced Placement courses, says the revisions to the African American history course were already underway prior to Gov. DeSantis’ objections to some of the material.

On this week's Florida Roundup, we examine the state's decision to reject an Advanced Placement African American course as teachers cover up their classroom libraries, fearing they’ll run afoul of new state standards on what books students can access.

"One Governor should not have the power to dictate the facts of U.S. history," Democratic Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker said of GOP Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' move to ban the Advanced Placement course.

The state’s rejection of the course has drawn national attention, including a rebuke from the Biden administration.