Rahman Oladigbolu sat facing the room of students in the African Studies Center Wednesday as he delved into the behind-the-scenes work of his film, “In America: The Story of the Soul Sisters.” Oladigbolu was the director, producer and screenwriter of the film.

Boston University’s African Presidential Archives and Research Center will close on June 30, but several leaders of the center are questioning the true reasons behind the closing. The APARC enhances...