Black women are facing increasing economic challenges today.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that over 300,000 Black women have lost their jobs or have exited the workforce. As AFROTECH™ previously reported, the backlash against diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, along with Trump’s tariffs, has contributed to these losses.
Times are hard, and many are being stretched to make ends meet. Adding to these challenges, the stalling of SNAP benefits under the government shutdown is impacting millions of Americans. In addition, homelessness is at an all-time high, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s most recent 2024 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report. The study cites that homelessness rose by 18% since 2023, meaning roughly 118,000 more people experienced homelessness in 2024 compared with 2023.
For some, like 22-year-old Imani, the instability of today’s landscape has made it increasingly difficult to secure employment and financial stability. She is on food stamps and will be impacted by the stalling of the SNAP program. She also navigated a troubling job market. It took her a year and a half to find a job at a grocery store, she shared in a TikTok video. According to CNN, she had already been homeless in New York City for four years and was living off $200 a month.
New York City had a record number of students (146,000) who are homeless for the school year 2023–24, according to data released today by Advocates for Children of New York.
Imani is currently living in a city shelter and is saving as much as she can to pay for certifications in the security or healthcare fields.
“Anything to help me get a pay raise or a pay jump to where I can financial support myself a bit more, because I’m still struggling,” she said in the TikTok video.
@amiratheweirdo I thank all of you for your words of encouragement and support! Please only donate if you’re able! Stay safe! 💗 #fyp
As layoffs rise and safety nets weaken, the fight for economic security and opportunity remains far from over, forcing many Black women to rebuild from the ground up and rely on their communities to fill the gaps left by a system that has failed them.
For Imani, although initially she shared hesitations around using a GoFundMe, she has set up an account with a $2,000 goal.
Resources
If you have been experiencing financial hardships, there are resources like Global State of Women Relief Fund, which provides grants for those laid off, furloughed, unemployed, and underemployed. They can be used to pay for groceries, childcare, mortgage or rent payments, medical expenses, etc. Applicants can request between $500 to $1,500.
Hire Black Now is an initiative on a mission to help Black woman get jobs with its network with companies and organizations. It has worked alongside companies such as Amazon, Disney, Conde Nast, Spotify, and Uber, according to information on its LinkedIn.
Additionally, AFROTECH™ collected a list of other resources you can explore.
