Black Workers at Risk as Trump Slows Equity-Focused Job Investments

August 5, 2025

The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies has released a 16-page report warning that federal industrial policy investments meant to advance economic opportunity for Black communities are being threatened by the Trump administration's elimination of diversity, equity, and inclusion provisions and slowed funding disbursement. The report examines how three major pieces of legislation—the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, CHIPS and Science Act, and Inflation Reduction Act—offered historic opportunities to increase Black access to good jobs in growth industries like manufacturing, clean energy, and technology. While these laws included intentional equity components and have already reached over 99% of high-poverty counties, many Black-led organizations remain under-informed about these opportunities and face barriers in accessing funds.

Who is affected

Black workers and communities, particularly those in high-poverty counties
Cities with large Black populations (Baltimore, Augusta, New Orleans, Raleigh, Detroit, Birmingham)
Historically Black neighborhoods previously severed by highway construction
Black-led and Black-allied organizations lacking resources to access funding
Residents of Prince George's County, Maryland (majority-Black jurisdiction)
Communities with high Black unemployment rates
Areas with below-median household incomes and below-average college graduation rates

What action is being taken

The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies is hosting virtual sessions with policy experts to provide information about funding pathways
Federal funds are being used for projects like the I-375 Community Reconnection Project in Detroit
The Department of Commerce is awarding $184 million to six Recompete Pilot Program finalists
Prince George's County is receiving $20 million through the Environmental and Climate Justice Program
The Trump administration is eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in industrial policy legislation
Federal funding is being slowly dispersed, paused, or clawed back according to the report

Why it matters

These investments offer opportunities for Black workers to access "good jobs" with family-sustaining wages and benefits
The programs have already reached over 99% of high-poverty counties
Funding supports environmental justice efforts and climate resilience in Black communities
The initiatives address historic exclusion of Black workers from skilled trades
The funding could reduce high Black unemployment rates in cities like Birmingham
Many Black-led organizations remain under-informed and under-resourced to access these opportunities
Defunding these programs would reduce opportunities for Black workers before initiatives take root

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

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