Black women have some of the highest labor force participation rates in the U.S., yet are now seeing the highest unemployment rates of any other group. 

Why? It’s a question that progressive Boston, Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D) asked during a roundtable in a packed downtown Boston library on Monday night.

“Everyone is missing out when we’re pushed out of the workforce,” said Pressley, according to the Associated Press. “That is something that I worry about now, that you have all these women with specific expertise and specializations that we’re being deprived of,” Pressley said.

For months, headlines have reported the slow but steady rise in unemployment for Black women. Though it was the recent jobs report from the government that called Pressley to convene Black women who’ve been impacted by job loss and job insecurity. 

The roundtable gathered policymakers, academics, business owners, and community organizers together under one roof, in an effort to maintain momentum and put faces and community members with headlines.

From August to September, the rate increased from 6.7% to 7.5% — due to the shutdown, more recent data is not available. Though it was also stressed that during that same period, the unemployment rate for white women increased from 3.2% to 3.4% around the country. In 2025, the country has seen a historical rollback from diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Black Americans also tend to be overrepresented in retail, health and social services, and government administration roles, according to a 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics Survey.

All of this has created a more hostile environment for certain groups to find a job.

“This is not just a crisis for Black women—it’s an alarming indicator of the state of our economy that has dangerous consequences for Black women, Black families, and Black futures. Our policy response must always be informed by those directly impacted, which is why I was proud to convene this timely discussion. I am grateful to the women and leaders who joined us,” the congresswoman said in a statement.

As for what will come next is anyone’s guess. But history proves that great things start in little rooms.

You can watch the entire discussion here: