gender-race groups (CBPC, 2025). • The unemployment rate among Black workers—and presumably Black women—in California stands at approximately 6.4%, the highest among racial groups as well as higher than the national average (BLS, 2025). Safety Net Support • The report Equity on the Line: The Dangerous Cost of Cutting Support for Black Women warns that proposed cuts to MediCal, CalFresh/SNAP, CalWORKs, and other programs would disproportionately harm Black Women and their families (CBPC, 2025). • Over 1 in 3 Black Women and children rely on Medi-Cal. These programs are not optional; they are critical for Black Women’s health, nutrition, economic stability, and to counteract historic inequities. • The U.S. Department of Labor reports that in 2023, Black Women across the entire United States lost an estimated $42.7 billion in wages compared to white men, due solely to pay disparities. • Single moms spend 67% of their income on childcare without subsidy. • More than 80% of Black households are led by women who are breadwinners, the highest of all female groups in the state. • Over 40% of Black Women say racism and discrimination limit their earning potential. • More than 2 in 5 Black Women face challenges covering basic expenses, and nearly the same number work more than one job. Workforce & Leadership Gaps • For every 100 men promoted to manager, only 58 Black Women are promoted, even though they ask at the same rate. • Black Women receive the least support from managers and are least likely to have sponsors advocating for them. • 54% of Black Women say they are “Onlys”—
often the only Black Woman in the room. This isolation compounds bias and pressure. • Despite barriers, Black Women are highly ambitious: they are just as likely as white men to want top executive roles and 50% more likely to be motivated by a desire to serve as role models. Workforce & Leadership Representation • Underemployment: Black Women are overrepresented in low-wage work and underrepresented in STEM, finance, and executive roles (CABWCEI, 2024). • Leadership Gaps: Despite making up nearly 7% of California’s female population, Black Women hold less than 3% of executive leadership roles in nonprofits, corporate boards, and elected offices (CABWCEI Leadership Tracker, 2024). • Entrepreneurship: Black Women are among the fastest-growing groups of entrepreneurs, yet face the largest funding gaps, with only 0.34% of venture capital investment nationally (Project Diane, 2023). • Employment Sectors: Black Women are overrepresented in certain employment sectors that offer limited opportunities for upward mobility. This economic vulnerability further contributes to poorer health outcomes and reduced access to preventative care. • Impacts: These disparities force many Black Women and single mothers to hold multiple jobs just to pay for essentials like food, rent, and childcare—highlighting the compounding effect of systemic racism and childcare burdens.
Made with FlippingBook interactive PDF creator