WATCH THE VIDEO HERE Black Women Are Facing a Quiet Unemployment Crisis — And It’s Getting Worse While most of the country is celebrating a stable job market, Black women are quietly facing a full-blown employment crisis — and almost no one is talking about it. According to new data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate for Black women surged to 6.1% in April, up from 5.1% just one month earlier. That’s a full percentage point jump — one of the sharpest increases of any demographic group — and it comes while the national unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.2%. Let’s be real: this isn’t just a stat — this is Black women getting pushed out, overlooked, and left behind in an economy that’s supposedly “booming.” For context, White women’s unemployment stayed flat at 3.3%, and Hispanic women’s rate held steady at 4.6%. Meanwhile, Black women saw a 106,000-person increase in joblessness in just one month. And according to HBCU Money, employment for Black women is now at a five-month low. So what’s behind this? Experts say a big piece of the puzzle is the political shift in Washington. Economist William Michael Cunningham told Black Enterprise that anti-DEI sentiment and Trump-led cuts to federal workforce programs are already hitting Black women hardest. Federal government employment dropped by 9,000 jobs last month — and Black women are overrepresented in that sector. “Black women losing DEI roles and government jobs due to anti-Black policies is directly contributing to these rising numbers,” Cunningham explained. “They’re looking for jobs — but not getting hired.” This is personal, and it’s structural. And it’s not new. Black women are often the first to be laid off during economic downturns and the last to be rehired. Add to that the widespread attacks on DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) initiatives, and you’ve got a perfect storm: fewer opportunities, fewer protections, and more doors closed — especially in retail, hospitality, and public sector roles, which employ many Black women. And yet, we still show up. Because here’s the thing about Black women: when the jobs disappear, we create our own. Studies show Black women are one of the fastest-growing groups of entrepreneurs in America, and many cite unemployment as the push they needed to finally bet on themselves. From online boutiques to consulting firms to wellness brands and tech startups, Black women are out here building businesses that anchor families, uplift communities, and flip the script on what resilience looks like. But let’s be clear: entrepreneurship shouldn’t be the only option because the system refuses to hire us. This unemployment crisis isn’t just about money — it’s about value. It’s about being seen, supported, and provided the same opportunities as everyone else. So while some may brush off the numbers or call it “just politics,” the impact is real. It’s meals skipped. Rent overdue. Dreams delayed. And once again, Black women are expected to carry the load — with little acknowledgment and even less support. It’s time to talk about it. Loudly. Because Black women aren’t just “disproportionately affected” by unemployment — we’re being systematically sidelined. And unless policies shift and equity becomes more than a buzzword, this trend is only going to get worse. Black women deserve better. We deserve opportunity, security, and a seat at the table — not just as entrepreneurs, but in every part of the workforce. The data is in. Now the question is: who’s listening? 
April Jobs Report: Black Women Lost 106,000 Extra Jobs!
