Trump’s DEI Budget Cuts Tried to Derail CultureCon 2025 — But the Culture Showed Up Louder Than Ever
In a year where diversity budgets were slashed and corporate DEI initiatives were quietly defunded, CultureCon 2025 reminded the world why the culture remains undefeated. Despite mounting political pressure and budget constraints, the annual celebration of creativity, community, and conversation returned to New York City with renewed purpose — redefining what it means to “take up space” in a world that keeps trying to shrink it. “I think I take up space by leaning into who I am. I don’t think you always have to be the loudest person in the room, you just have to be yourself,” said Imani Ellis, Founder & CEO of The Creative Collective, whose leadership continues to set the standard for authenticity in professional and creative spaces. CultureCon, as we know it, is a homecoming for Black excellence in art, culture, tech, finance, and all-around networking. You see your favorite artist, actor, or activist. You see top influencers and fashions that rival NYFW. The energy is electric. Yet this year, CultureCon felt like it was missing something. This year’s edition was presented by Chase rather than HBO, though HBO still held an activation and a panel promoting its new series IT. Notably absent fan-favorite brands like Shea Moisture and Clinique—brands that had been staples of the activation floors in past years. Their absence raised eyebrows and questions about what the event could afford and what message it sends. Attendees noticed a reduced number of beauty lounges, fewer product giveaways, and interactive experiences, signaling the tangible impact of these brands’ departures on the event atmosphere. What is DEI — And Why It Matters “DEI” stands for diversity, equity, and inclusion. In corporate, foundation, and institutional settings, DEI budgets often fund recruiting, training, outreach, community partnerships, mentorship, and pipeline programs for underrepresented groups. For events like CultureCon, DEI funding or sponsorship can undergird panels, stipends for creators, venue support, accessibility, and partnerships that prioritize marginalized voices. When DEI funding is cut or challenged, those support systems begin to erode. Panels are harder to staff, underfunded creators lose opportunities, and the burden shifts onto individuals to “make do” with less. Trump’s Position on DEI—and Who It Affects Donald Trump and many in his political orbit have long criticized “woke” culture in education, business, and media. He has proposed rolling back government funding for DEI offices and publicly framed DEI practices as unfair advantages. These moves aren’t merely rhetorical; they are tied to efforts to reduce institutional support for equity initiatives across public universities, government contracts, and nonprofit grants. The direct consequence? Organizations that rely on institutional DEI dollars may see budget cuts for inclusivity programs or face pressure to pull back. For creators and events like CultureCon, that means fewer resources, less institutional backing, and the question: who pays the cost? CultureCon Before the DEI Cuts CultureCon’s origin is humble: a gathering among friends, evolving into a one-day conference, and ultimately blossoming into a high-impact, multi-day hybrid event (in-person and digital) with invite-only VIP segments throughout the week. The magic was always in the intimacy—the warm sense of “this is our home turf” for Black creatives. In 2023 and 2024—arguably CultureCon’s peak years—the scale, the brand partners, and the experiential programming all set a high bar. Returning guests carried expectations forward. For many, 2025 struggled to match them. Some longtime attendees walked away with mixed feelings about takeaways and giveaways. One common refrain: “I feel like I’m outgrowing it.” The event’s narrative was subtly shifting from creators seeking launchpads to more emerging college-level participants still finding direction. And while the core essence—the gathering of Black creators, entrepreneurs, influencers, and storytellers—was still present, the polish and opportunity density felt thinner this year. Brand partnership dropout became a recurring theme. The list of sponsors and partners was significantly smaller than in 2023 or 2024. Where once Shea Moisture, Clinique, Gucci, Amazon Prime, McDonald’s, CÎROC, Apple, Google, and more stood alongside marquee brands, now Chase Ink led the list—with support from HBO Max, BET, Audible, Hulu, Onyx Collective, Spotify, YouTube, NBCUniversal, and others. Notably, Shea Moisture and Clinique, which had previously activated lounges, giveaways, and beauty pop-ups, did not make an appearance—a reticence that did not go unnoticed. Their absence was evident through the scaled-back beauty activations and a less robust ecosystem for attendees to interact with products and brand experiences, resulting in fewer opportunities for attendees to discover new products or engage with familiar brands. In 2024, the “Camp” theme leaned heavily into whimsical branding and immersive activations (fashion, photo ops, experiential art). That year’s major sponsors included Max (formerly HBO Max), Chase Ink, McDonald’s, Amazon, MGM Studios, CÎROC, Clinique, Coca-Cola, Smartwater, Foot Locker, Jordan Brand, Gucci, and Kensington Grey. Smaller partners included beauty brands like Fenty Beauty and Fenty Skin, Apple, Google, NPR, iOne Digital, The Webby Awards, and hospitality sponsors like Ace Hotel, Moxy Williamsburg, and Thompson Hotels. Similarly, in 2023, CultureCon’s presenting partner was Max, and sponsors included Shea Moisture, Walmart, CÎROC, Amazon Prime, and Google, among others. Those years had multiple brand activations, product giveaways, swag suites, and a layered presence. By contrast, 2025’s roster—while still significant—looked leaner. Brands and designers flagged on-site included HFR House, Floret NYC, Kaphill Official, Undra Celeste New York, and Anwuli Eyewear. The difference was tangible. Where before every brand had a “photo moment,” multiple touchpoints (panel + booth + lounge), this year, many sponsors had more modest footprints. The Art of “Taking Space” in 2025 This year’s official theme—Taking Space—was realized both literally (through activation geometry and staging) and metaphorically. Though CultureCon has hosted nearly 10,000 guests in past years, the 2025 activation felt leaner, more compressed. We spoke with attendees and talent about what “taking space” meant to them. B. Simone described space as confidence and vulnerability coexisting. The author, entrepreneur, and comedian said taking up space to her means being confident in who God called her to be while drowning out the noise around her. Walking in her purpose. “As soon as I walked in [to Culturecon],