Kendi is departing the school and the Center for Antiracist Research will close its doors when its charter with the school expires on June 30.
Ibram X. Kendi, author of Antiracist Baby, How to Be Antiracist, as well as other books on similar themes, is departing Boston University. The school’s Center for Antiracist Research (CAR), which Kendi founded, will be closing.
A press release from the school stated that Kendi will be leaving Boston University to join Washington, DC’s Howard University. He was hired by the school in 2020 from DC’s American University to open the center amid the George Floyd riots.
The center’s 12 staff members will remain employed through June 30 and CAR will close its doors when its charter with the University expires on June 30.
In a statement, Kendi said, "Despite all the headwinds we faced as a new organization founded during the pandemic and the intense backlash over critical race theory, I am very proud of all we envisioned, all we created, all we learned, all we achieved—the community we built, the people we helped and inspired."
"To all the faculty, staff, administrators, students, supporters, and Boston community members, I feel honored to have been able to do this work with you over the last five years. I am departing for an opportunity I could not pass up, but what connected us at CAR remains, especially during this precarious time. Our commitment to building an equitable and just society."
The school noted that the center "pursued a new strategy under Kendi" in September 2023 "with public support having shifted and contributions waning" for the center’s long-term financial sustainability. This included laying off 19 staff members.
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