Ibram X. Kendi’s ‘Antiracism’ Center Shutting Down

Professional race grifter Ibram X. Kendi is seeing his Boston University “Center for Antiracist Research” (CAR) close when its charter with the college expires on June 30, per the university’s website.

The center currently has 12 staff members who will remain employed until the June closure. CAR was founded in 2020 following the massive public outcry stemming from the death of George Floyd. The center faced declining contributions and support beginning in 2023, when donors began to question what, if anything, the center was producing. 

The announcement comes after Kendi said he was leaving Boston University to become the director of the newly created Howard University Institute for Advanced Study in Washington, D.C.

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Ibram X. Kendi, Ph.D., as the director of the newly established Howard University Institute for Advanced Study.

The institute will be dedicated to interdisciplinary study advancing research of importance to the global African… pic.twitter.com/BlJIJ1j6Vj

— Howard University (@HowardU) January 30, 2025

Boston University noted that in September 2023, “with public support having shifted and contributions waning,” the center “pursued a new strategy under Kendi,” which “included eliminating 19 staff positions.” Kendi was accused of financial mismanagement, but an audit done by BU found no evidence of wrongdoing, per Newsweek.

In the past, the center has sponsored projects like creating an “antiracism curriculum,” an “antiracist book festival,” and “antiracism training for the workforce.”

The center described itself as “a full-service organization that translates antiracist ideas into action by unifying research, policy, narrative, and advocacy efforts. We take a rigorous, research-based, and integrative approach to transforming a racist society to an antiracist one.” 

It faced criticism for not producing any tangible research or assets during its existence despite being receiving millions of dollars in grant money and more than $50 million in donations.

Kendi, whose real name is Ibram Henry Rogers, is the author of books like “Antiracist Baby” and “How to Be an Antiracist.” 

He said in a statement: “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.” 

Kendi concluded, “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.”