Big shifts are happening in the job market right now. And if you’re a Black woman, the latest numbers may hit a little harder—and a lot closer to home.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Black women lost 106,000 jobs in April 2025. That’s more than any other group. Meanwhile, the national unemployment rate stayed steady at 4.2% and over 170,000 jobs were added across the country. So while the economy is technically “growing,” many of us are being left out of the picture.
The Numbers Don’t Lie—But They Don’t Tell the Full Story Either
Our unemployment rate jumped from 5.1% to 6.1% in one month. That’s the biggest increase across race and gender lines. And for a lot of us, it’s not just a stat—it’s a stressor. These aren’t just random jobs. These are careers. Livelihoods. Stability.
We’re talking about Black women who’ve been showing up every day—working in schools, hospitals, government offices, behind the scenes and on the front lines. Women with degrees, certifications, and years of experience. Women who are raising kids, paying off loans, helping aging parents, and keeping whole families afloat.
So what changed?
Black Women & Jobs: Federal Cuts and Quiet Rollbacks Are Hitting Us Hard
A big part of the story is what’s happening with federal jobs. These roles have long been a backbone for Black families—offering good pay, solid benefits, and room to grow. But between January and April, 26,000 federal jobs were cut. That includes 9,000 in April alone.
And while those numbers might seem like just a shift in hiring, there’s more behind it. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) roles are being rolled back across agencies and corporations. Executive orders are chipping away at the kind of policies that once gave Black women a fair(er) shot. Further, many DEI roles once held by Black women are vanishing – and with little accountability.
The playing field is shifting—again—and it’s not in our favor.
Economist William Michael Cunningham didn’t hold back when speaking to Black Enterprise. “The unusual nature of this increase in Black women’s unemployment is a testament to and a direct result of the anti-DEI and anti-Black focus of the new administration’s policies,” he said.
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Black Women & Jobs: Why This Should Matter To All Of Us
When Black women lose jobs, it doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It means less income circulating in our communities. It means more stress on households that already carry so much. Black women are often the primary earners, the caretakers, the backbones. So when we’re pushed out of the workforce, everything around us feels that ripple.
So yeah, these numbers are more than statistics on a spreadsheet. Let them be a reality check for all of us to what may be ahead. And we’ll be watching.