Boston University's Center for Antiracist Research is under scrutiny for its "management culture" and "grant management practices" following recent layoffs
The university initiated an inquiry into the center's grant management practices after receiving complaints about layoffs
The inquiry has expanded to include an examination of the management culture at the Center
Ibram X. Kendi, the scholar and activist, made the decision to transition the center to a fellowship model, resulting in layoffs
Nineteen staff members were laid off, approximately half of the center's workforce
An internal group will examine grants management and productivity, and an external consultant will assess the organizational climate
Kendi is a nationally renowned scholar on race and the author of the best-selling book "How to Be an Antiracist
The Center for Antiracist Research was founded in 2017 at American University and moved to Boston University in 2020
Despite the layoffs, the multimedia platform, The Emancipator, will continue unaffected
The center had received substantial funding, including a $10 million donation from Jack Dorsey, the co-founder of Twitter, and had faced challenges with staff turnover and a toxic work environment