CLEVELAND, Ohio - Fewer corporations and nonprofits are sponsoring the National Association of Black Journalists convention this week in Cleveland – a sign that organizations may be backing away from diversity, equity and inclusion.

Last year, about 75 entities signed up as sponsors at the NABJ’s convention in Chicago. This year, there are about 40 sponsors, despite the Cleveland event celebrating the organization’s 50th anniversary.

The footprint of booths in the exhibition hall is smaller, lacking flashy centerpieces from past years, like cars. Household brands such as GM, Google and Walmart are not sponsors this year, although they were last year.

None of these companies responded to questions about why they aren’t sponsoring this year.

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