In a packed downtown Boston library, Rep. Ayanna Pressley posed a compelling question regarding the rising unemployment rates of Black women, who historically have had some of the highest labor force participation rates in the United States. The query prompted responses from a diverse group of policymakers, academics, business owners, and community organizers, all of whom expressed concern over the economic challenges facing Black women and what it could signify for the broader economy.
The latest data indicated that the unemployment rate for Black women rose significantly from 6.7% to 7.5% between August and September 2023. This increase stands in stark contrast to the rise in unemployment for white women, which saw a more modest increase from 3.2% to 3.4% during the same timeframe. This upward trend for Black women's unemployment is part of a disturbing pattern observed over the past year, coinciding with broad economic uncertainty.
Roundtable attendees articulated that these statistics reflect not only a concerning reality but also a stark warning about the inequities affecting Black women. Pressley emphasized that the exclusion of Black women from the workforce equates to a loss for everyone, highlighting the wealth of expertise and skills being overlooked. She further pointed out that when Black women are employed, they often face conditions of being "woefully underemployed."
Data from 2024 revealed that Black women had the highest labor force participation rates among all female demographics, yet their unemployment figures remained disproportionately high compared to their peers. Historically, the unemployment rate for Black women has been slightly above the national average, a disparity that tends to widen during times of economic slowdown or recession. Industries heavily populated by Black women include retail, health and social services, and government administration, which are often vulnerable to economic fluctuations, according to the 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics Survey.
Anna Gifty Opoku-Agyeman, a PhD candidate in public policy and economics at the Harvard Kennedy School, noted that the widening unemployment gap for Black women has become more pronounced since April. Ignoring the underlying causes of this issue could have detrimental effects on the overall economy, she warned.
Participants in the roundtable identified several long-standing structural inequities as contributors to the crisis. However, they largely attributed the recent surge in unemployment to recent federal actions, such as the Trump administration's downsizing of the Minority Business Development Agency and the cancellation of federal contracts with non-profits and small businesses, actions believed to have disproportionately affected Black women. Additional factors cited included tariff policies and widespread federal layoffs.
Moreover, the administration’s stance against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives was highlighted as a contributing factor to an increasingly hostile employment environment for Black women seeking job opportunities, customers, and government contracts. While there is no concrete data on how many Black federal employees were impacted by these federal cuts, the ramifications appear significant.
The discussion among attendees also yielded a plethora of potential solutions aimed at improving Black women's employment rates. Suggestions included leveraging state budgets to support business development for Black women, expanding access to microloans, enhancing government resources for contracting, mandating greater transparency in corporate hiring practices, and urging state and federal officials to uphold anti-discrimination laws.
Boston City Council President Ruthzee Louijeune, upon concluding the meeting, echoed sentiments of encouragement and support for ongoing efforts. She staunchly defended DEI policies as vital to both a thriving workforce and a healthy democratic system, warning that a lack of diversity in leadership roles could weaken the fabric of the country.
Louijeune emphasized that any environment failing to reflect the diversity of the nation is "abnormal" and counterproductive to the civic and economic goals being pursued.
