The Florida School for Boys, also known as the Arthur G. Dozier School for Boys (AGDS), was a reform school operated by the state of Florida from 1900 to 2011, with a second campus opening in 1955. The school gained a notorious reputation for abuse, beatings, rapes, torture, and even murder of students by staff. Despite periodic investigations and promises to improve, the allegations of cruelty and abuse persisted. Numerous investigations confirmed the historic and recent allegations of abuse and violence, leading to the school's permanent closure in 2011. The discovery of unmarked graves and a high number of deaths raised further concerns. In 2016, a forensic anthropology survey identified 55 burials on the grounds, with nearly 100 deaths documented at the school. The racial disparity in deaths, with three times as many black students as white students, was noted. The state subsequently held a formal apology ceremony for survivors and families of victims. Efforts to compensate victims and their descendants were underway, including preliminary survey work for pollution clean-up and the identification of suspected graves. In 2024, a bill to compensate the victims of The Dozier School for Boys was approved by the state legislature and signed into law.The Marianna site, which was an open campus without perimeter fencing, was originally divided into two sub-campuses for white and "colored" students. The Boot Hill Cemetery, where many unmarked graves were found, was located on the "

Florida Atlantic University (FAU) is a renowned public research university located in Boca Raton, Florida, with additional campuses in Dania Beach, Davie, Fort Lauderdale, Jupiter, and Fort Pierce. As a member of Florida's State University System, FAU is classified as an "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity" institution. Established in 1964, FAU has experienced remarkable growth to become one of the largest educational institutions in the state, offering over 180 undergraduate and graduate degree programs across 10 colleges. The university boasts an enrollment of over 30,000 students from 180 countries, 50 states, and the District of Columbia. FAU has a substantial annual budget of $900 million and an annual economic impact of $6.3 billion. Notably, the university has produced over 185,000 alumni since its inception. FAU's athletic teams, the Florida Atlantic Owls, compete in the NCAA Division I and the AAC. The university's historical significance is rooted in its establishment on the Boca Raton Army Airfield, a former army airbase, and its subsequent expansion to multiple campuses to meet the growing educational needs of South Florida. FAU's commitment to academic excellence and research has solidified its position as a prominent institution in the region and beyond.

Florida Friebus (October 10, 1909 – May 27, 1988) was an American writer and actress known for her work on stage, film, and television. Her most notable roles included Winifred "Winnie" Gillis on The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis and Mrs. Lillian Bakerman on The Bob Newhart Show. Born in Auburndale, Massachusetts, to Theodore Friebus and Beatrice Flagg Mosier Friebus, she began her professional acting career in 1929 in New York City. Friebus appeared in numerous TV programs such as The Ford Theatre Hour, Father Knows Best, Gunsmoke, and The Mary Tyler Moore Show, among others. She also collaborated with Eva Le Gallienne to dramatize Alice in Wonderland, which was presented on Broadway and later on television. In addition to her acting career, Friebus served on the board of Actors' Equity Association for more than 16 years and received the Phil Loeb Award for her exceptional service to the profession. Her papers are housed at the New York Public Library. Throughout her career, Florida Friebus left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry and continues to be remembered for her contributions to the performing arts.

Florida v. Royer, 460 U.S. 491 (1983), was a pivotal U.S. Supreme Court case that shaped Fourth Amendment jurisprudence. The case set a crucial precedent regarding the rights of individuals targeted by law enforcement without a warrant. In January 1978, Mr. Royer was approached by undercover officers at Miami International Airport due to fitting a drug courier profile. Despite initially consenting to engage with the officers, Royer was subsequently detained without probable cause and had his luggage searched, leading to the discovery of marijuana. The Supreme Court ruled that the officers' actions violated Royer's rights, as they lacked sufficient grounds for detaining him and conducting the search. The decision emphasized the importance of distinguishing between consensual encounters and custodial situations, highlighting the need for probable cause in such instances. This case serves as a crucial reference point in understanding the boundaries of law enforcement conduct and the protection of individual rights under the Fourth Amendment.

Florida Ruffin Ridley (1861–1943) was a prominent African-American civil rights activist, suffragist, teacher, writer, and editor from Boston, Massachusetts. She was a pioneer in the civil rights movement and played a significant role in advocating for women's suffrage and racial equality. Ridley, born to a distinguished family, became one of the first black public schoolteachers in Boston and edited The Woman's Era, the country's first newspaper published by and for African-American women. She was deeply involved in various nonprofit organizations, co-founding the Woman's Era Club and actively participating in the National Association of Colored Women. Throughout her life, Ridley was committed to promoting social, educational, and charitable services for the black community, as evidenced by her involvement with organizations such as the League of Women for Community Service and the Society for the Collection of Negro Folklore. Her dedication to black history and heritage led her to co-found the Society of the Descendants of Early New England Negroes. Ridley's tireless efforts and unwavering commitment to social justice left a lasting impact on the civil rights movement and the African-American community.