Ibram X. Kendi’s $43M ‘Antiracist’ Center Faces Probe for Fund Mismanagement.
Renowned “antiracist” author Ibram X. Kendi’s multi-million-dollar think tank at Boston University is facing an investigation into allegations of financial mismanagement and a toxic work culture.
The Center for Antiracist Research (CAR), which has received millions of dollars in grants and donations since its establishment in 2020, has been criticized for its lack of academic output, misallocation of funds, and recent layoffs.
According to the student newspaper The Daily Free Press, Boston University has received complaints regarding the center’s culture and grant management practices.
“We are expanding our inquiry to include the Center’s management culture and the faculty and staff’s experience with it,” said Colin Riley, a spokesperson for the university.
Layoffs
The investigation follows the recent layoffs at Mr. Kendi’s center, where 15 to 20 employees were let go in a transition from a research-based approach to a fellowship model.
A snapshot of the center’s webpage suggests that there were 45 staffers in July.
The layoffs were not due to financial difficulties but rather a strategic decision, according to Center spokesperson Lapal Cavallario.
Former employees have raised concerns about Mr. Kendi’s leadership, describing the center as mismanaged.
Spencer Piston, a political science professor and faculty lead at CAR, criticized the decision to entrust the center’s operations to one individual, stating that it granted excessive authority and funding.
Saida Grundy, a former sociology professor at CAR, alleged exploitative working conditions and long hours. Other faculty members reportedly experienced similar issues.
Phillipe Copeland, a former CAR affiliate, resigned due to witnessed mismanagement. He was subsequently removed from the leadership of a fellowship he had created.
In response to the layoffs, Mr. Kendi expressed regret and pledged support for affected employees. However, he also suggested that he faces unfair treatment based on his race.
“Leaders of color and women leaders are often held to different standards and routinely have their authority undermined or questioned,” Mr. Kendi wrote.
Big Donations, Little Output
Despite receiving substantial funding, CAR has produced limited academic research. Mr. Kendi himself has not published a research paper in a peer-reviewed journal in the past four years.
The center’s research projects, such as the “Racial Data Lab” and the “Antiracist Tech Initiative,” have also shown minimal progress.
However, CAR did collaborate with The Boston Globe to launch a digital publication called The Emancipator.
Antiracism or Critical Race Theory?
While Mr. Kendi denies being a critical race theorist, his “antiracist” ideology aligns with the critical race worldview, which interprets society through a racial oppressor-oppressed framework.
He attributes racial inequity to systemic racism and advocates for active discrimination to achieve equity.
“The only remedy to racist discrimination is antiracist discrimination. The only remedy to past discrimination is present discrimination. The only remedy to present discrimination is future discrimination,” Mr. Kendi wrote.
The Epoch Times has reached out to the university for further comment.
How can Boston University ensure a healthy and respectful work environment for faculty and staff at the Center for Antiracist Research
Bers have also expressed concerns about a lack of transparency in decision-making and the lack of diversity in leadership positions.
The allegations have raised questions about the effectiveness and integrity of the Center for Antiracist Research. The center, led by renowned author Ibram X. Kendi, has received significant funding and support since its establishment in 2020. However, critics argue that the center has failed to produce substantial academic output and has instead focused on promoting its brand and ideology.
The investigation into the center’s financial mismanagement and toxic work culture is a necessary step in addressing these concerns. It is crucial to ensure that funds allocated to the center are being used effectively and in line with the intended purpose. Additionally, the well-being and fair treatment of the center’s employees should be a priority.
While the center has attributed the recent layoffs to a strategic decision rather than financial difficulties, former employees have expressed doubts. The transition from a research-based approach to a fellowship model may have resulted in job redundancies and an uncertain future for the remaining staff.
The leadership of Ibram X. Kendi has also come under scrutiny. Former employees have criticized his management style and described the center as mismanaged. The concentration of power and resources in the hands of one individual raises questions about accountability and transparency.
Furthermore, allegations of exploitative working conditions and long hours have been made by former employees. These claims highlight the importance of fostering a healthy and respectful work environment that prioritizes the well-being of its staff.
In light of these allegations, Boston University has expanded its inquiry to include the center’s management culture and the experiences of faculty and staff
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