Stephana Ferrell

Stephana Ferrell is the Director of Research & Insight at the Florida Freedom to Read Project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advocating for book access and opposing censorship in Florida's schools. She co-founded the organization in January 2022, responding to a growing trend of book bans initiated by state legislation aimed at restricting educational content, particularly regarding LGBTQ+ themes and other sensitive topics.124

In her role, Ferrell focuses on researching and analyzing the impact of recent laws, such as HB 1069, which has led to significant removals of books from school libraries across Florida. She has been vocal about the implications of these laws on students' access to diverse literature and educational resources. Ferrell has stated that the guidance from the Florida Department of Education regarding book removals is "irresponsible" and that the state's approach is detrimental to children's education.13

Ferrell has also been involved in legal challenges against the state's book removal policies, highlighting issues of viewpoint discrimination and advocating for parents' rights to contest censorship decisions.23 Her work is part of a broader movement in Florida, which has seen a dramatic increase in book bans, making it a focal point in national discussions about freedom of speech and educational access.23

For more information about her professional background, you can find her LinkedIn profile under the username stephana-ferrell-1a0a84165.4