In February 2026, the unemployment rate for Black women reached a high of 7.7%, and those are not just numbers; they are the cause of a national health crisis.
January 2025 was not only the beginning of Donald Trump’s second (and as accurately predicted, disastrous) term, it was also the beginning of an epidemic impacting Black women more than any other group — the staggering unemployment rate that currently shows no signs of relief in the foreseeable future.
As always, Black women turned up to the 2024 voting polls more than any other minority because they knew the severity of what was at stake if Trump was once again back in the White House. Unfortunately, other groups took a decidedly less uniform approach, and well, we know how that went.
The first thing on Trump’s second-term agenda is what has hurt Black women the most: the rollback of DEI, which has resulted in millions of Black women losing their jobs at an alarming rate.
In November 2025, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley conducted a roundtable discussion regarding the impact of the U.S. unemployment crisis on Black women.
The meeting followed the release of the September 2025 jobs report, which revealed that Black women currently have an unemployment rate of 7.5%, which spiked from 6.7% the previous month and is far above the national average of 4.4%.
“Black women in Massachusetts and across the country are facing a shameful crisis of high unemployment that has everything to do with the racist and fiscally irresponsible economic policies of the Trump White House,” Congresswoman Pressley said.
“This is not just a crisis for Black women—it’s an alarming indicator of the state of our economy that has dangerous consequences for Black women, Black families, and Black futures,” she continued. “Our policy response must always be informed by those directly impacted.”
Helen Joseph, a licensed mental health counselor who also attended Pressley’s roundtable, shared her thoughts on how unemployment is impacting the mental health of Black women.
“When Black women are pushed out of the workforce, the impact on our mental health and the damage to the well-being of our families and communities is profound,” she said.
“Speaking today reminded me that the well-being of Black women must be at the center of both economic policy and organizational change,” Joseph continued. “Protecting Black women at work and in business is essential to safeguarding our mental health and stability, and it is also critical to securing the future and strength of this nation.”
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Despite being the most educated, both undergraduate and graduate, of all minorities, the unemployment rate for Black women shows that they are the first to go when it comes to cost-cutting for companies, regardless of their work output, track record, and accomplishments.
In February 2026, the Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR) released a report about Black women being disproportionately affected by unemployment in Trump’s second term.
“The numbers don’t lie. In addition to navigating systemic and structural barriers on the road to economic security, Black women are being forced to endure the consequences of an administration that willfully ignores the benefits of a knowledgeable and diverse workforce,” said president and CEO of IWPR, Dr. Jamila K. Taylor.
“We know that Black women are often the primary breadwinners for their families,” she continued. “So, when we are disproportionately pushed out of the workforce, the stability of entire communities is at stake. These numbers are a direct reflection of policy choices that undervalue the labor of Black women.”
While the effects of Black women losing their jobs easily point to the obvious impact of financial burden, there is a quieter effect that is going largely unnoticed, and that is what it’s doing to their mental health.
In a March 2026 interview with Word In Black, laid-off social media manager Shana Pinnock-Glover, who has 15 years of experience, shared her struggles with finding full-time work and noticing the struggles of other Black women as well.
“I have seen a disturbing trend on LinkedIn lately,” Pinnock-Glover recalled. “I’ve seen people, but especially Black people, write what are the equivalent of suicide notes on their profiles…[saying] I am down to my last. I’ve drained my savings. I’m a week away from being evicted and being unhoused.”
Black women have long been heralded for their immense strength amid struggle and adversity, leading many to dismiss or simply overlook what they may be dealing with on a personal level.
To outsiders, a Black woman losing her job may be just another hurdle that she will undoubtedly conquer, but while perseverance among them is strong, they are still human.
Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, founder of Therapy for Black Girls and Dr. Ella F. Washington, Ph.D., offered mental health advice for Black women struggling to cope following job loss.
“Give yourself time to process… Once you move past the initial shock or anger, think about it as a moment to reflect and realign your goals,” they said. “Consider what parts of your job you loved and what didn’t serve you. This can guide what you pursue next.”
Looking for work while unemployed is a job in itself and can often be mentally exhausting, but it’s important to take care of your mental health despite the bleak outlook of the current job market for Black women.
Endless news reports and updates, while informative, can often contribute to mental stress, and comparing your career trajectory and job progress to others can do the same.
Instead, try to focus on the positives, as difficult as it may be at times, to nurture your mental health.
Highlight your professional assets, strengths, and accomplishments to get you through times when you may feel low or mentally depleted.
An additional option is to unplug periodically. That means leaving social media, stepping away from your job search, and living your life. Funds may be understandably low, but just leaving your home to go for a walk, visit family, exercise or indulging in self-care, can be a small yet efficient way to block out the noise.
The job outlook for Black women may be bleak, but as they have proven for generations, they will weather this grievous time with the grace and dignity they have always possessed.
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