A staunch anti-racism advocate and administrator at the University of South Florida resigned after posts he made about being pro-diversity, equity, and inclusion were revealed online.

Dr. Haywood Brown, USF Health's senior associate vice president for academic and faculty affairs and vice dean of faculty affairs for the Morsani College of Medicine, following a report released on Fox News about his comments. 

Some of his remarks critiqued White House adviser Stephen Miller, who was credited with shaping the current administration's immigration policies.

Before taking on his latest role at the University, Brown served as the institution's vice president for diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity. 

Fox News alluded to Brown's effort to evade anti-DEI restrictions and implored others to do the same. 

The outlet cited an audio recording posted to platform X of comments Brown allegedly made during a presentation at VCU Health. 

"We no longer have a person dedicated to [diversity]. We have a council that's dedicated to it. Isn't that slippery?"

The audio shows someone saying the work remained unchanged despite changing names and titles to comply with state laws. 

Brown also said that instead of calling one officer someone who focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion, a council focused on "cultural enrichment."

Following the Fox News report, a university spokesperson shared that Brown was placed on administrative leave "to allow for a thorough review of the matter." Brown reportedly chose to resign effective immediately. 

The anti-DEI movement that has gained momentum since the new administration entered the White House was preceded by the Supreme Court's landmark decision in 2023 to overturn affirmative action in college admissions, finding that such policies violate the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.

Since then, the conservative right has enacted massive lawsuits on identity groups, including organizations geared toward advancing historically marginalized groups, including Black people, LGBTQ+, and people with disabilities.