Multiple diversity, equity and inclusion consulting companies have been struggling in Florida in the years following the “Stop WOKE Act.”

Roni Bennett, the Executive Director of South Florida People of Color, told the Miami Herald on Thursday that she has seen her annual revenue of nearly $300,000 be cut in half thanks to Florida’s new policies.

“We’re in trouble,” Bennett said.

The “Stop WOKE Act” or the “Stop Wrongs to Our Kids and Employees Act” is a law that was passed in 2022 by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. It targeted critical race theory in work and educational programs. Bennett found that many businesses stopped requesting services from her organization despite a slight boost during the pandemic.

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Bennett added how even prior to the act she saw shifts in some clients’ attitudes, suggesting their original interest was “performative.”

“One client had a president change, and the new president wasn’t into DEI training,” she said.

Consultants like Bennett are now trying to remind current and potential clients that, regardless of the national concerns about the “Stop WOKE Act,” the bill does not actually target private businesses.

“It’s important because the Stop Woke Act for businesses became very prominent after passing,” Alexander Rundlet, a Brickell lawyer and public policy consultant, said. “It made every business fearful it couldn’t [participate] in DEI training in fear of the act. Since March, it’s clear this doesn’t apply to businesses.”

In March, a federal appeals court ruled that the workplace portion of the law violated the First Amendment.

In April 2022, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed HB 7, known as the “Stop WOKE Act.”  (Daniel A. Varela/Miami Herald/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

“We cannot agree, and we reject this latest attempt to control speech by recharacterizing it as conduct. Florida may be exactly right about the nature of the ideas it targets. Or it may not. Either way, the merits of these views will be decided in the clanging marketplace of ideas rather than a codebook or a courtroom.” Judge Britt C. Grant wrote at the time. “The First Amendment keeps the government from putting its thumb on the scale.”

A federal judge later granted a permanent injunction against that portion of the law in July. However, the portion of the law focused on education has been allowed to remain intact.

Despite the favorable ruling, DEI consultant businesses continue to struggle based on the growing anti-woke culture, Rundlet said.

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“A lot of deep and widespread harm has been inflicted over the past few years,” Rundlet said. “People like Roni Bennett have to do a lot of work to undue that harm.”

Bennett has shown concerns that some clients’ actions are only “performative.” (iStock)

The Miami Herald reported that Bennett nevertheless “remains steadfast in her work,” though she is looking for an angel investor to help her business.

“We owe it to the next generation to make progress for them,” she said. “I want to be able to dismantle systematic racism in America.”

A Florida man was arrested on Christmas Day after allegedly attempting to kill his wife and himself in a murder-suicide, according to police reports.

Jonathan McPhee, 78, faces a first-degree attempted murder charge after he allegedly attacked his wife and then called 911 at the couple’s home on Pine Cone Way.

McPhee told the dispatcher, “I clubbed her, and I’m going to try to stab myself in the heart,” according to a legal document obtained by People Magazine.

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When Largo Police Department officers arrived, they found McPhee had stabbed himself and his wife had suffered blunt-force trauma. 

They were both transported to a local hospital, where they are in critical condition.

“While being attended to by medical staff, the defendant spontaneously stated, ‘Just let me die, I killed (redacted),” according to an arrest report.

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Jonathan McPhee, 78, faces an attempted murder charge after he allegedly attacked his wife and then called 911 at the couple’s home on Pine Cone Way. (iStock)

He also sent a text to his wife’s daughter saying he “killed” her and was going to kill himself because of “financial and health issues,” the report said.

He allegedly went on to detail how he would like the funeral arrangements and life insurance to be handled.

This is an ongoing investigation, and no further information is available currently.

A new law in Florida will support the need to keep first responders safe while working a call.

Senate Bill 184 will go into effect on Jan. 1 and will prohibit a person, after receiving a warning, from approaching a first responder engaged in the lawful performance of their job.

The law is aimed at helping police, fire and EMS personnel stay focused while performing critical first aid.

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It will create a 25-foot barrier around the responder, keeping the public at bay. It also includes keeping the public from threatening and harassing the responders while they are trying to do their jobs.

Violators will receive a warning initially, but could face criminal penalties if they don’t heed it.

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People who approach a first responder on the job will initially receive a warning, but could face a fine and up to 60 days in jail. (iStock)

The new law comes with a penalty of up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine.

The bill also outlines that a violator could face a second-degree misdemeanor.

The law considers first responders to be law enforcement officers, corrections officers, firefighters and emergency medical personnel. (REUTERS/Mike Segar)

It also specifies the definition of “first responder” to include law enforcement officers, a correctional probation officer, firefighters and emergency medical care providers.