Boston University’s Ibram X. Kendi’s ‘Centre for Antiracist Research’ has laid off approximately 20 staff members as it shifts to a ‘fellowship model’, amid controversy surrounding the founder’s antiracist books. Fox News has the story.
The staff for Ibram X. Kendi’s Centre for Antiracist Research at Boston University will be smaller this school year after recent layoffs.
Boston University confirmed to FOX News Digital on Thursday that the centre laid off approximately 15 to 20 staff members in what it called an “evolving” process.
“The centre is evolving to a fellowship model. Dr. Kendi remains the director. We can confirm that there were layoffs at the centre. The university and centre are committed to working with and supporting affected employees as they look for their next opportunities,” Boston University PR Associate Vice President Rachel Lapal Cavallario said in a statement.
The ‘teams’ page for the centre on Boston University’s website is currently down… A snapshot of the page from July showed that the centre had employed approximately 45 staffers.
Kendi was hired by Boston University as a history professor in June 2020, during the height of protests and riots after George Floyd’s death. Shortly afterward, Kendi announced the movement of his antiracist research centre from American University, where he previously taught, to Boston University, where he currently sits as the centre’s director.
Kendi rose to prominence over the last few years for his defence of critical race theory as well as teaching racial concepts to children. He has published several books on the subject of racism including How to Be an Anti-Racist and the children’s book Antiracist Baby.
The latter has faced the most protest for teaching kids CRT, with several schools recommending or assigning the book.
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