Black Legislative & Community Knowledge

Following significant job losses in 2025, particularly affecting Black women in diversity, equity, and inclusion roles that have been eliminated under current federal policy, many are responding by launching their own businesses and building support networks. Black women experienced a 1.4 percentage point drop in employment rates, with college-educated Black women facing even steeper declines of 3.5 percentage points. Experts attribute these losses both to recent administration policies targeting DEI positions and to longstanding systemic workplace discrimination, including lower pay, limited advancement opportunities, and persistent microaggressions that drive burnout. Despite these challenges, Black women are demonstrating resilience by creating approximately 2 million businesses that employ over 647,000 people, often focusing on consulting and wellness services while leveraging community support networks both domestically and abroad.

Kiki Shepard, the beloved co-host of "Showtime at the Apollo" who passed away on March 16 at age 74, was a transformative figure in Black entertainment and representation. Born Chiquita Renee Shepard in Tyler, Texas, she built a distinguished career as a dancer and performer before beginning her iconic 15-year run at the Apollo Theater in 1987, where she became known as the "Apollo Queen of Fashion." Her dark-skinned beauty and graceful stage presence challenged the colorism that had long pervaded the entertainment industry, offering a vision of Black beauty that didn't conform to Eurocentric standards. For countless Black women and girls who watched her every weekend, Shepard represented elegant, confident representation that was rarely centered in mainstream media, leaving a legacy that extends far beyond television into cultural affirmation and self-acceptance. # Key Takeaways

Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton won the Democratic nomination for Senate and is heavily favored to win in November due to the state's Democratic leanings. If successful, the 60-year-old would become the sixth Black woman ever to serve in the U.S. Senate and the third to serve simultaneously, joining Maryland's Angela Alsobrooks and Delaware's Lisa Blunt Rochester. Stratton's path to victory involved defeating both Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi and Representative Robin Kelly in a competitive primary where her opponent raised over $30 million, though she received substantial support from Governor JB Pritzker. Her election would create another historic milestone as she and Senator Tammy Duckworth would become the first two women of color to represent any state together in the Senate.

Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield has signed an executive order that increases funding for affordable housing by directing all revenue from city-owned commercial property sales to the Affordable Housing Development and Preservation Trust Fund, up from the current 40% requirement. The change, effective July 1, will more than double annual contributions to approximately $4 million, with 70% designated for housing units serving residents at or below 30% of the area median income. This action fulfills a campaign promise from Sheffield, who previously championed Detroit's inclusionary housing ordinance while serving on City Council. The trust fund provides gap financing, low-interest loans, and grants to developers, supporting projects like LaJoya Gardens, a 42-unit affordable apartment building in southwest Detroit.

Residents of River Pointe Tower apartment complex in Detroit testified before City Council about persistent maintenance problems and poor living conditions that management company Capital Realty Group has allegedly failed to address. Tenants, who formed a union last year representing over 60 residents, described issues including unsafe bathtubs, drafty doors, incomplete repairs, and disrespectful treatment from management. While the city's Buildings, Safety Engineering, and Environmental Department reported the building has a valid compliance certificate and recent inspections found no violations in common areas, residents are demanding better maintenance response times, transparent repair tracking, and professional property management. This issue fits into Mayor Mary Sheffield's broader initiative targeting enforcement at 65 senior housing complexes across Detroit.

The Detroit Public Schools Community District is proposing a policy change that would allow schools to choose parent organizations beyond the traditional Parent Teacher Association (PTA) model, which currently serves as the district's only officially recognized parent organization. The proposal emerged after district leaders reported problems with some local PTAs, including improper election procedures, communication issues, and past incidents of financial mismanagement documented by the district's oversight office. Under the proposed amendment, each school would annually vote on which parent organization model to adopt, including district-overseen groups or independent local organizations, creating flexibility for different school communities. While Michigan PTA leadership has acknowledged the concerns and committed to improvements through additional training and better communication, the school board has not yet voted on the policy changes.