Will Packer Launches Private Fund to Shield FAMU From State Politics

Producer Will Packer has announced the creation of the Rattler Freedom Fund, a private fundraising initiative designed to provide independent financial support to Florida A&M University. Packer revealed the plan during a rally on Oct. 23 at his alma mater in Tallahassee, where he also urged students to vote in the upcoming midterm elections.

The fund represents a direct response to what Packer describes as a MAGA takeover of the state university system. FAMU is one of 107 institutions in the United States designated as a historically black college and university. Packer stated that public universities are subject to the political leanings of those in power, a dynamic that has led to underfunding and ideological pressure. He aims to build a private financing model at FAMU that he intends to replicate at other HBCUs in the future.

Packer emphasized that the initiative is nonpartisan and independent. He argued that HBCUs need a separate financial source to pursue their educational goals without relying on state legislatures or governors. He noted that dependence on government resources makes institutions vulnerable to the political whims of the current administration. The goal is to create a self-sustaining system that protects these institutions from external political control.

During the rally, Packer appeared alongside Democratic candidates Angie Nixon and David Jolly, who are running for U.S. Senate and governor of Florida, respectively. He told the crowd that decades of Republican control in Florida have resulted in reduced funding for FAMU. Packer highlighted the importance of high Black voter turnout in key states such as Florida, Georgia, and Texas to influence the outcome of the Nov. 3 elections. He cited recent events, including federal attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and Florida efforts to alter slavery history in high school curricula, as reasons for his public engagement.

Packer, who graduated magna cum laude from FAMU in 1996 with a degree in electrical engineering, described the university as the foundation for his creative career. He credited his HBCU experience with providing the cultural and educational base that allowed him to transition into the film and television industry. He stated that the Rattler Freedom Fund is a nonpartisan organization dedicated to financing the aims and students of these schools.

Since announcing the fund, Packer said he has received inquiries from other HBCUs interested in participating. He compared the risk of political visibility to the process of recruiting a host for the 2022 Academy Awards. He recalled conversations with industry peers who argued that speaking out politically meant pleasing no one. Packer countered that he feels a responsibility to use his platform to influence public discourse and support causes he believes in.

The rally was broadcast live on Roland Martin Unfiltered, a daily news program that has been covering local elections in battleground states for the past two weeks. Packer’s public profile includes producing films such as Girls Trip and Straight Outta Compton, as well as the Peacock series Fight Night. He maintained that his opinion carries weight with African American audiences who have supported his content, and he intends to use that reach to advocate for both electoral participation and institutional independence.