"In a packed room at library in a downtown Boston, Rep. Ayanna Pressley posed a blunt question: Why are Black women, who have some of the highest labor force participation rates in the country, now seeing their unemployment rise faster than most other groups? The replies Monday from policymakers, academics, business owners and community organizers laid out how economic headwinds facing Black women may indicate a troubling shift for the economy at large."
"Black women had the highest labor force participation rate of any female demographic in 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, yet their unemployment rate remains higher than other demographics of women. Historically, their unemployment rate has trended slightly above the national average, widening during periods of slowed economic growth or recession. Black Americans are overrepresented in industries like retail, health and social services, and government administration, according to a 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics Survey."
A blunt question arose in a packed downtown Boston library about why Black women, with some of the highest labor force participation rates, are experiencing faster unemployment increases than most groups. Black women’s unemployment rose from 6.7% to 7.5% between August and September, outpacing a smaller increase for white women. The rise extends a year-long trend amid broad economic uncertainty. Many view the numbers as an affront and a warning about uneven pressures and underemployment. Black Americans remain overrepresented in retail, health and social services, and government administration, increasing vulnerability to economic slowdowns.
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