History
Housed within FSU’s College of Social Sciences and Public Policy (COSSPP), the Civil Rights Institute brings together students, faculty, and staff from a variety of academic disciplines, including African American Studies, Sociology, Public Health, Urban & Regional Planning, Criminology, Social Work, Medicine, Nursing, and Education.
The CRI mobilizes resources to educate students and Florida residents about civil rights issues from the past and how the ongoing efforts to support civil rights for all continues today. Additionally, the Institute aims to deliver knowledge and advance solutions on economic and health disparities within FSU and the State of Florida.
Founded in 2018, the FSU Civil Rights Institute was conceived by Doby Flowers (B.S. Social Work ‘71; M.S. Planning ’73) and Fred Flowers (B.A. Philosophy ’69; M.S. Planning ’73), two of the university’s finest alumni. With an immensely successful career holding leadership positions within private and public organizations, Doby Flowers served as FSU’s first African American Homecoming Queen. A longtime successful attorney and head of his own firm since 1987, Fred Flowers was the first African American student-athlete to wear an FSU uniform.
During President John Thrasher’s tenure the CRI was launched and supported by a volunteer board made up of faculty, staff, and community leaders. In 2023, the CRI was expanded under the leadership of President Richard McCullough, seeing the hire of the institute’s first full-time Director, prominent African-American artist, and trained scientist Ted Ellis.
As the Civil Rights movement was borne out of a confluence of politics, law, art, communication, music, and history, the Institute’s interdisciplinary approach is essential to effectively celebrating and advancing civil rights within the FSU and Tallahassee communities.