How Resilient Black Women Turn Job Loss into New Ventures

March 24, 2026

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.

Who is affected

Black women workers, particularly those with bachelor's degrees
Black women in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) positions
Black women in human resources roles
Black women in government positions
Chief diversity officers whose positions have been eliminated
Mary-Frances Winters (DEI professional)
Denise Aguilar (former global account director at Indigo Slate, now consultant)
Members of the Black Pax Group (Black expats in Barbados)
Employees of the 2 million Black women-owned businesses

What action is being taken

Black women are launching their own businesses and consulting firms
Some are establishing wellness market businesses
Denise Aguilar is running her consulting practice (Denise Aguilar Consulting) and serving in advisory roles with startups and the Latin Recording Academy Foundation
Mary-Frances Winters continues working in diversity, inclusion, and equity
Black expats are forming community support groups like the Black Pax Group in Barbados
Some professionals are taking time off after receiving organizational buyouts

Why it matters

This matters because it reveals both systemic workplace discrimination and the immediate impact of policy changes on Black women's economic security. The disproportionate job losses among college-educated Black women, combined with the elimination of DEI roles, highlight how political decisions can compound existing inequalities in employment, compensation, and career advancement. The entrepreneurial response demonstrates economic resilience but also reflects a troubling trend where marginalized groups must create their own opportunities due to hostile corporate and policy environments. Additionally, the shift toward Black women-owned businesses has broader economic significance, as these enterprises already employ over 647,000 people and contribute substantially to economic growth.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint