JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) has implemented a new policy that effectively ends the observance of cultural awareness months, a move that has left many in Jacksonville, particularly military personnel and local leaders, feeling disheartened.
Under the new directive, all DoD components and military departments are prohibited from using official resources—such as staff time or funding—on events or celebrations related to cultural awareness months.
>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<
This includes significant observances like National African American/Black History Month and others. The policy, issued in alignment with the Trump administration’s broader efforts to curb diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives within the military, took effect immediately.
Councilman Rahman Johnson of Jacksonville, who has long been an advocate for diversity and cultural recognition, expressed his frustration upon learning of the policy change.
He shared with Action News Jax how it “hurt” to see the shift in guidance, noting that Jacksonville’s local military bases, such as Naval Station Mayport and NAS Jax, have consistently held Black History Month events for years.
“I think if we are allowing spaces for people to be seen and heard and felt, it makes for a richer experience for everybody,” said Johnson.
[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]
However, his excitement to serve as keynote speaker for an upcoming Black History Month event hosted by the Army Corps of Engineers was abruptly cut short. An email from the Corps, obtained by Action News Jax, revealed that after several revisions and updates to DEI policies, the event was canceled.
The email stated, “After several meetings, revisions, and guidance updates today regarding DEI, we were informed that our Black History observance must be canceled.”
This cancellation has left many concerned about the diminishing opportunities for cultural expression, especially in an environment where military personnel come from diverse backgrounds.
[SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter]
The cancellation has also drawn criticism from local organizations dedicated to supporting marginalized groups. Quiana Malone, founder of the nonprofit “Dear Black Girl,” which supports Black women in Jacksonville, viewed the policy as a wake-up call for communities to be proactive about creating their own spaces for cultural celebration.
“This goes to show us how we need to come together more as a collective to be able to create our own things in advance for the things that are already in place,” Malone said.
The Army Corps of Engineers gave this statement:
“The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Jacksonville District was directed by the DOD and USACE Headquarters to postpone all Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion-related observance events and training until further guidance is received, in accordance with President Trump’s Executive Order (EO) issued January 20, 2025 “Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing.”
Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
