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Rising Unemployment Among Black Women Sparks Alarm at Boston Roundtable

Policymakers, academics and community leaders convened in Boston to examine why Black women’s unemployment rose from 6.7% to 7.5% between August and September while white women’s rate moved from 3.2% to 3.4%. Participants linked the widening gap to structural inequities and recent federal actions—such as cuts to the Minority Business Development Agency and canceled contracts—that disproportionately affect Black women. They proposed measures including expanded microloans, state-backed business support, greater hiring transparency and stronger enforcement of anti-discrimination rules. Speakers warned that failing to address the trend could harm the broader economy.

01:28 AM, 11/26/2025Economy
Rising Unemployment Among Black Women Sparks Alarm at Boston Roundtable

In a crowded downtown Boston library, Rep. Ayanna Pressley opened a roundtable by asking a pointed question: why are Black women—who have among the highest labor force participation rates in the country—seeing their unemployment rise faster than most other groups?

What the data show

Panelists noted that the unemployment rate for Black women rose from 6.7% to 7.5% between August and September, the most recent month with available data because of a federal government shutdown. By comparison, white women’s unemployment edged from 3.2% to 3.4% during the same period. Despite having the highest labor force participation rate among female demographics in 2024, Black women continue to face higher unemployment and underemployment.

Analysis and concerns

Speakers — including policymakers, academics, business owners and community organizers — argued that the trend reflects both long-standing structural inequities and recent federal policy changes. They pointed to several contributing factors cited at the roundtable: cuts to the Minority Business Development Agency, canceled federal contracts with nonprofits and small businesses, tariff policies, broad federal layoffs, and a more hostile climate toward diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. Panelists warned that these forces can disproportionately harm Black women, who are overrepresented in sectors such as retail, health and social services, and government administration.

“Everyone is missing out when we’re pushed out of the workforce,” said Rep. Ayanna Pressley. “We’re being deprived of women who have specific expertise and specializations.”

Proposed solutions

Attendees discussed a range of policy responses aimed at reversing the trend and reducing disparities, including:

  • Using state budgets to bolster business development and contracting opportunities for Black women;
  • Expanding microloan programs and access to capital in underserved communities;
  • Increasing government resources for equitable contracting and procurement;
  • Requiring greater transparency in corporate hiring and promotion practices;
  • Strengthening enforcement of anti-discrimination laws at state and federal levels.

Participants acknowledged there is no concrete public data yet on the number of Black federal workers affected by recent federal workforce reductions.

“Any space that does not look like our country and like our cities is not normal,” said Boston City Council President Ruthzee Louijeune, defending diversity, equity and inclusion as essential to a healthy workforce and political system.

Roundtable speakers urged sustained policy attention and coordinated action to prevent the widening gap in unemployment from becoming a broader economic and social setback.

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