School Districts
North Carolina
- 6/8/2021 - Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, $25,000
Virginia
- 9/2020 - Fairfax County Public Schools, $24,000
- 8/6/2020 - Fairfax County Public Schools, $20,000
Report Details
Who is Ibram Kendi?
In 2016, Ibram Kendi coauthored the book, “Stamped from the Beginning,” with Jason Reynolds.
Later, Kendi compiled an “Anti-Racist Reading List,” for the Chicago Public Library, with “Stamped” and “White Fragility” on the list. In 2019, he published, “How to Be an Anti-Racist,” with One World publishers.
In July 2020, Kendi announced he was moving the Center for Antiracist Research from American University to Boston University. Donors include the Rockefeller Foundation, Vertex Foundation and Twitter chief executive officer Jack Dorsey.
The “Narrative Office” at the center includes “Training and Education” work.
In mid-March 2021, the Boston Globe announced an unusual arrangement with the Antiracist Research Center, with the launch of an online media platform, “The Emancipator.”
In the summer of 2021, the center was recruiting for a “training manager.” The job description on LinkedIn said, “The Training Manager will support the design and delivery of an innovative antiracism training and auditing program. Building upon the principles of Dr. Ibram X. Kendis cutting-edge philosophy behind antiracism, the individual will be positioned to make a significant impact designing, delivering, evaluating, and disseminating the premiere antiracism programs for local, national, and global clients spanning multiple sectors of influence, including education, government, industry, non-profit, and policy.”
It continued: “This role reports to the Associate Director of Narrative & works closely to collaborate on the design of programs. An ideal candidate will have a strong background in antiracist curriculum development, facilitating, and coaching; expertise and passion for crafting and delivering training on racial justice issues; experience in curriculum and training through online, hybrid, and in-person modalities; and share the Center’s commitment to justice and racial equity.”
Further, the job description said: “The candidate selected for this role will not only have the opportunity to craft industry-leading antiracist training and practice, but to become a nationally-respected leader in this field, while positioning the Center to be the most innovative and effective organization for antiracist training.”
What K-12 work has the Boston University Center for Antiracist Research done?
The Center for Antiracist Research sponsors an annual “National Antiracist Book Festival.”
NORTH CAROLINA
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools paid Kendi $25,000 to speak at the district’s Summer Leadership Conference on June 16, 2021. Purchase order with Penguin Random House. The school district agreed to limit how the video would be shared.
VIRGINIA
Fairfax County Public Schools
Fairfax County Public Schools paid $20,000 for a one-hour virtual speech in August 2020 by Kendi. Kendi received another $24,000 for the purchase of his books, according to a statement from the school district.