Black Women Bear the Brunt of April’s Job Losses Amid National Economic Growth

In these challenging economic times, our faith serves as an anchor, steadying us and strengthening our confidence even as we face strong economic headwinds.

By Dana Dillard // EEW Magazine Online

While the U.S. economy continues to expand, Black women are facing a silent economic crisis, losing jobs at an alarming rate as broader employment indicators improve.

In April 2025, the U.S. economy added 177,000 jobs, signaling growth and stability on the surface. The national unemployment rate held steady at 4.2%, suggesting that economic recovery remains on track. But beneath those optimistic headlines lies a troubling reality: Black women experienced the sharpest employment decline of any demographic group.

According to the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Black women lost 106,000 jobs in April alone. Our unemployment rate jumped a full percentage point—from 5.1% in March to 6.1% in April—underscoring the disproportionate impact of ongoing labor market shifts.

A Closer Look at the Numbers

• Black Women: The number of employed Black women (ages 20 and over) dropped from 10.325 million in March to 10.219 million in April. This decline not only marks the loss of over 100,000 jobs, but also highlights growing vulnerability in a labor market that’s not recovering equally for all.

• Black Men: In contrast, Black men saw some improvement. Their unemployment rate decreased slightly, from 6.1% to 5.6%.

• All Black Americans: The unemployment rate for Black Americans overall (ages 16 and over) rose slightly to 6.3%, up from 6.2% in March. The total number of unemployed Black workers reached nearly 1.4 million.

• Other Demographics: The disparity becomes even clearer in comparison. White women’s unemployment rate held steady at 3.3%, Hispanic women remained at 4.6%, Asian Americans had the lowest rate at 3.0%, and the rate for all White Americans was 3.8%.

What’s Behind the Disparity?

Economist William Michael Cunningham of Creative Investment Research points to policy decisions as a major factor. In an interview with BlackEnterprise, Cunningham cited “anti-DEI and anti-Black policies” under the current administration as contributing to these disproportionate job losses.

"The unusual nature of this increase in Black women’s unemployment is a testament to and a direct result of these policies," Cunningham stated.

He notes that:

• Federal government jobs, a key source of employment for many Black professionals, declined by 9,000 in April and have dropped by 26,000 since January.

• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) roles, where Black women have historically been overrepresented, are being cut in both public and private sectors.

These developments are particularly damaging given the importance of stable, secure employment in building generational wealth and closing racial income gaps.

Job Gains

Despite challenges for Black women, the broader U.S. labor market shows continued resilience. Most job gains occurred in industries like healthcare, transportation, warehousing, financial activities, and social assistance.

But growth in these sectors hasn’t translated into gains for everyone. Structural inequalities, rooted in both historical and current systemic biases, continue to shape who benefits from economic upturns.

Looking Ahead

The next BLS Employment Situation Report, scheduled for release on June 6, 2025, will shed more light on whether April’s trend was an anomaly or part of a deeper pattern. For now, advocates and economists alike are calling for targeted policies that address these glaring disparities.

As Cunningham warns, "This is demonstrably damaging to the Black community—something we have not seen before."

Implications for Equity

The economic data is clear: job creation alone isn’t enough. For Black women, who are often primary breadwinners, caretakers, and community anchors, the stakes are especially high. Without inclusive policy solutions, the economic gap will likely widen.

Ensuring equitable recovery means more than tracking job numbers. It requires intentional investment in the people and communities most often left behind.

While the American economy rises and falls, the Kingdom economy remains steady, and our faith keeps us grounded.