Black Women and the Unseen Struggle: A Closer Look at Unemployment

In a room filled with determined voices, Rep. Ayanna Pressley asked a tough question: Why are Black women, who are among the most active in the job market, facing rising unemployment? The gathering in Boston brought together experts to explore this issue, revealing how the challenges faced by Black women might signal broader economic troubles. Between August and September, the unemployment rate for Black women rose from 6. 7% to 7. 5%. This jump was much higher than the 3. 2% to 3. 4% increase for white women. The trend has been ongoing, with Black women's unemployment rates climbing even as the economy faces uncertainty. Those present saw these numbers as a wake-up call, highlighting the unique pressures on Black women. Pressley pointed out that when Black women are out of work, everyone loses. "We're talking about women with valuable skills and expertise, " she said, expressing concern about the broader impact. Despite having the highest labor force participation rate among women, Black women still face higher unemployment rates than other groups. Anna Gifty Opoku-Agyeman, a PhD candidate at Harvard, emphasized the importance of addressing these issues. She noted that the gap in unemployment rates started to widen significantly in April. Ignoring the causes could lead to further economic harm. Participants identified several factors contributing to the problem. Many blamed recent federal actions, such as cuts to the Minority Business Development Agency and the cancellation of contracts with non-profits and small businesses. These changes disproportionately affected Black women. Others pointed to tariff policies and mass layoffs as additional stressors. The discussion also highlighted the administration's opposition to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, which created a more challenging environment for Black women to find jobs, secure contracts, or attract customers. The group brainstormed solutions, including using state budgets to support Black women's business development, expanding microloans, and increasing government resources for contracting. They also called for greater transparency in corporate hiring practices and stronger enforcement of anti-discrimination policies. As the meeting concluded, Ruthzee Louijeune, the Boston City Council president, encouraged everyone to keep pushing for change. She defended DEI policies as essential for a strong and representative workforce and political system. Without these efforts, she warned, the country's leadership would be weakened and unrepresentative.