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Earlier this month, Robert Naylor Jr., diversity advocate for the Associated Press for 24 years, was laid off by the news organization, according to the Root.

SEE ALSO: Black Farmer Wrests Billion-Dollar Settlement From U.S.

Naylor’s termination comes on the heels of a number of key forced African-American departures.

Dolores Barclay, East Coast entertainment editor, and Andrew Fraser, assistant Pennsylvania bureau chief, based in Philadelphia.

It also comes after Tom Curley, president and CEO of the Associated Press since 2003, announced last month he will step down this year.

Naylor’s lay off occurred after the international news agency reinstated their internship program, which is reportedly the principle way African Americans — as well as other people of color — get access to many corporations.

The AP gave offered this statement about their continued commitment to diversity:

The AP remains committed to diversity. Nothing has altered that commitment. We are confident that a number of well-wired leaders in our newsroom and on the business side will continue to direct our efforts.

Still, many, including the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), are concerned about the void these layoffs present.

Read more at the Root.