Boston U closing its antiracist research center after founder Ibram X. Kendi leaves for Howard

Boston University is closing its Center for Antiracist Research following the announcement that founder Ibram X. Kendi is leaving to work at a similar project at Howard University. 

School newspaper BU Today reported last week that the center will close when its charter with the university expires June 30 but that the university wil continue to employ the center’s 12 staff members employed until that date and provide resources to find them another job.

“We thank Dr. Kendi and the center’s staff and affiliated faculty for their contributions to Boston University. The University wishes Dr. Kendi well in his next chapter,” said Gloria Waters, University provost and chief academic officer.

The university hired Kendi in 2020, when he was employed by American University in Washington, D.C., to open the center, BU Today also reports.

In his statement, Kendi thanked the school and everyone who worked with him over the years, saying he feels "honored to have been able to do this work with you over the last five years."

“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,” he also said.

Kendi also stated on to social media platform Threads that he has always wanted to work for HU, praising the university's faculty, students and alumni.

"This is the most fulfilling career choice I have ever made. I can’t wait to get started," he wrote.

HU released a statement on X confirming that Kendi would start working for the university as the director of the newly established Howard University Institute for Advanced Study, which "will be dedicated to interdisciplinary study advancing research of importance to the global African Diaspora, including inquiry to race, technology, racism, climate change and disparities."

"Welcome to the Howard University family!" HU wrote.