The Florida A&M University (FAMU) stop on the BLEXIT “Educate to Liberate” tour, which was scheduled for Oct. 17 during the university’s Homecoming celebrations, was canceled, organizers confirmed last week.
BLEXIT, a political movement founded in 2019 by conservative commentators Candace Owens and Brandon Tatum, aims to encourage African Americans to reconsider their historical affiliation with the Democratic Party and to embrace conservative values. The organization is affiliated with Turning Point USA, a national group founded by the late Charlie Kirk that promotes conservative principles on high school and college campuses.
The “Educate to Liberate” tour was designed to visit historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) across the country, engaging students in discussions about alternative political perspectives. The FAMU event was intended to be part of this effort, coinciding with the university’s Homecoming week.
A spokesperson for BLEXIT announced the cancellation of the FAMU event without providing specific reasons, stating only that “a new date” would be announced at a later time.
The tour has experienced difficulties at other HBCUs as well. Reports indicate that events at Jackson State University, Johnson C. Smith University, Alabama State University and Tennessee State University attracted minimal attendance or fanfare.
The cancellation at FAMU has prompted varied responses from students, alumni and faculty. Many expressed concerns about scheduling the event during Homecoming week, a time focused on cultural celebration and unity. One student posted on social media, “Homecoming is for the culture, not for political PR.”
Another Rattler shared a similar sentiment: “They knew better than to mess up homecoming. Good riddance.”
The “Educate to Liberate” tour began in September with a stop at Johnson C. Smith University. Subsequent stops included Alabama State University on Oct. 3, Jackson State University on Oct. 10 and Tennessee State University on Oct. 17. Later stops are scheduled at North Carolina Central University, Howard University, Hampton University, Bowie State University, and Lincoln University.
Owens, the founder of BLEXIT, is a conservative political activist known for her criticism of the Democratic Party and her advocacy for conservative policies. The difficulties faced by BLEXIT on HBCU campuses reflect ongoing debates about political identity and ideological diversity within Black communities. While BLEXIT aims to diversify political discourse and expand conservative influence, reception at many HBCUs indicates persistent resistance linked to historical and cultural political affiliations.
At present, BLEXIT has not announced a new date for the FAMU event. Meanwhile, FAMU’s Homecoming celebrations continued without the BLEXIT event, focusing on tradition, culture and community.