FAMU alumnus Will Packer speaks to students and faculty during an event about his recently published book "Who Better Than You?" at the Charles Winterwood theatre on campus on March 27, 2025. Photo by Glenn Beil/FAMU Office of Communications
Florida A&M University (FAMU) alumnus and Emmy nominated Hollywood producer Will Packer has issued a call to action to block the selection of Marva Johnson as the next FAMU president.
In a 2.5-minute video clip that garnered hundreds of thousands of views this week, Packer characterized Johnson’s bid for the job as part of an attempt by MAGA to takeover leadership at several historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs).
Packer also challenged Johnson’s lack of experience, describing her as “solidly and objectively unqualified” for the role, with “zero” work history in higher education administration.
He emphasized that his pushback is not just about Jones being a staunch Republican. “Everyone has a right to their own political affiliation,” said Packer. “But what we cannot allow is a hostile takeover by someone who is aligned with a party that has loudly and proudly espoused ideologies that attack diversity [and] equitable economics.”
Johnson is one of four finalists in a selection process that could wrap this week.
Packer’s comments intensified the debate surrounding Johnson’s candidacy, which has already faced backlash from students, alumni, and faculty.
3 Ways to Answer Packer’s Call to Action
In response to the controversy, Packer’s video called for collective action, and urged his followers and FAMU alumni and friends to support the protests in three ways:
One, sign your name to the student-led FAMU Deserves Better Petition on Color of Change, which has so far drawn more than 10,000 signatures
Two, email the 11 members of the FAMU Board of Trustees urging them not to select Marva Johnson (see names and emails below):
- Chair Kristin Harper (CEO, Driven to Succeed) Kristin@DriventoSucceedLLC.com
- Dr. Jamal A. Brown (President, Florida A&M University Faculty Senate and Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences) jamal.brown@famu.edu
- John Crossman (Founder and President, CrossMarc Services) jcrossman@crossmarcservices.com
- Natlie G. Figgers (Founder, Law Office of Natlie G. Figgers) natlie@figgerslaw.com
- Emery A. Gainey (Former Chief Deputy, Commander of the Uniform Patrol Division, and Homeland Security Commander) emery.gainey@outlook.com
- Vice Chair Deveron Gibbons, J.D. (Consultant and Retired SVP, Amscot Financial) deveron.gibbons@revenuebasedfinancecoalition.com
- Kelvin Lawson (National Client Service Director, Acosta Sales and Marketing) kelvin.lawson@famu.edu
- Belvin Perry, Jr. (Attorney, Morgan & Morgan and former Chief Judge, 9th Judicial Circuit) belvin.perry@famu.edu
- Craig Reed (Vice President and Chief Procurement Officer, Thermo Fisher Scientific) craig.reed@famu.edu
- Nicole Washington (Principal, Washington Education Strategies) nicole@wesgroup.com
- Michael White (Co-Founder and President, Business Development, Indelible Management Solutions) mwhite@indelible-solutions.com
Three, join Faith Leaders, FAMU stakeholders and Will Packer for a Community Rally on May 14, from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm at Will Packer Amphitheater, Florida A&M University (FAMU) Campus. Click here to learn more about the rally.
Act now. The university’s Board of Trustees is set to hold public forums with all four presidential finalists from May 12 to 15, with a final decision pending. As the situation unfolds, stakeholders continue to advocate for a leader who embodies FAMU’s mission to “support and empower our scholars.”
