Boston University is closing its Center for Antiracist Research as its founding director, scholar Ibram X. Kendi, leaves for another job. Why it matters: BU's decision, which comes amid a federal backlash to programs related to diversity,

Ibram X. Kendi, the founding director of the Boston University Center for Antiracist Research, will leave the school for a new role at Howard University and BU's center will close.