by Laura Onyeneho
Houston Defender Network
April 2025 marked another setback in a long line of economic challenges for Black women in the American workforce.
According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Black women lost 38,000 jobs last month and their unemployment rate rose to 6.1 percent, a full percentage point increase from March.
The number of unemployed Black women jumped by more than 106,000, a staggering shift that contrasts sharply with the steady or declining unemployment rates seen among other groups, including white women and Black men.
While the numbers are alarming, the emotional and mental toll of this trend is equally significant, and often overlooked. For many Black women, the impact of job loss is not only financial but deeply personal, touching on issues of identity, self-worth and systemic erasure.
This is especially true amid the widespread dismantling of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, programs that, in many workplaces, were the only spaces acknowledging the unique challenges Black women face.
“Job loss isn’t just about income. It’s about identity, routine, and purpose,” says Dr. LaToya S. Gilmore, a licensed therapist educator. “Emotionally, it can feel like grief. There’s sadness, anxiety, even shame. Many people tie their self-worth to what they do and when ‘‘that’s taken away, it leaves them feeling lost.”
For Black women, this crisis is layered. A disproportionate number serve as primary breadwinners in their households. When their employment is disrupted, the ripple effects hit hard, jeopardizing housing, healthcare, education and overall family stability.
“It creates pressure,” Gilmore says. “There’s a fear around paying bills, supporting children and losing benefits. That kind of uncertainty keeps your body in survival mode. Prolonged stress like that can absolutely compromise your mental health.”
DR. LATOYA S. GILMORE, a licensed therapist educator. (Credit: Dr. LaToya Gilmore)
What Black Women Can Do
Rather than offering empty platitudes, Gilmore emphasizes practical strategies Black women can use to regain a sense of control during periods of uncertainty:
- Establish a Daily Routine
“Structure can be grounding,” she says. “Wake up at the same time. Get dressed. Set one or two small, achievable goals. These actions restore a sense of normalcy.”
- Move Your Body
“Movement gets you out of your head and into your body,” Gilmore explains. “Walk, stretch, dance around the house, whatever brings you joy and energy. It can interrupt the spiral of anxiety.”
- Don’t Isolate, Connect
“Community is our strength. A simple check-in with a friend can make all the difference. It reminds us we’re not alone.”
- Set Professional Boundaries
For those still employed but feeling emotionally burned out, Gilmore stresses the importance of protecting personal time. “Separate work from life. Don’t bring your job home. Don’t check your email at dinner. Guard your peace.”
- Plan Exit Strategies When Needed
“If your workplace is toxic or your mental health is deteriorating, it’s okay to start planning your next move,” she says. “Your well-being is worth protecting.”
A Word to Employers:
Start Listening
As many companies roll back DEI efforts, Gilmore says the burden is falling squarely on employees, particularly Black women, to navigate toxic workplaces with little support. But employers can still make a difference.
“Organizations need to normalize having conversations about mental health and stress,” she advises. “Check in. Host listening sessions. Actually invest in your employees. The question should be: ‘How can we make this a healthy place to work?’ But that takes intention—and a willingness to care.”
“Emotionally, it can feel like grief. There’s sadness, anxiety, even shame. Many people tie their self-worth to what they do and when that’s taken away, it leaves them feeling lost.”
With the American work culture often tying worth to productivity, Black women may struggle to feel whole outside of professional titles. But Gilmore encourages a mindset shift.
“Your job is not your entire identity,” she says. “Remind yourself: this situation is temporary. You’ve overcome challenges before. This is just one page in a bigger story.”
She also suggests focusing on “small wins”, updating a résumé, applying to one job, or simply getting out of bed and moving forward.
“These steps count,” she affirms. “And they remind you that progress, no matter how small, is still progress.”
Despite the setbacks, Black women continue to show resilience, often turning to entrepreneurship and community organizing as avenues of empowerment. But healing from this moment, economically, mentally, and spiritually, requires care and conscious effort.
“We are tired. But we are not broken,” says Gilmore. “Black women deserve rest. We deserve joy. We deserve spaces where we are seen, heard, and valued not just for what we produce, but for who we are.”
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