Why Black Women Are Leaving and Rebuilding on Our Terms

I just read an article on Forbes that sat heavy on my spirit, so now I’m here. 300,000 Black women have left or been pushed out of the workforce in just three months. And I know I just let out a recent vent about this but today, I’m sending numbers. Why? Because they don’t fucking lie.

In the article, Dr. Janice Gassam Asare breaks down what’s really going on:
🔹 DEI departments are quietly disappearing
🔹 Public sector jobs (where many of us work) are being slashed
🔹 Internal support networks for Black women are eroding
🔹 The doors we once squeezed through are being sealed shut

“As the infrastructure created to support marginalized employees is slowly dismantled, the impact on Black women has been particularly profound. Without friends in the pipeline, we are being pushed out.”
— Dr. Janice Gassam Asare, Forbes

Let’s talk about it.

I live in the DMV — and the effects are real. So many of my friends, family members, and clients work in government or public service. And with layoffs hitting left and right, the financial strain is growing, while the safety nets shrink.

But here’s the thing: Black women don’t just survive. We restructure. We reimagine. We build.

Even though we’re being pushed out of outdated pipelines, I’m noticing we are turning around and laying new bricks in real time. I’m watching women around me become founders, consultants, artists, doulas, CEOs — not because it’s easy, but because we know our worth, and we know how to create something out of nothing.

We’re not waiting for a seat at their tables. We’re building entire homes. Businesses. Legacies.

🛠️ Resources to Help You Pivot, Build, or Just Breathe

Whether you’re fresh out of a job, trying to grow your side hustle, or just looking for a spark of inspiration — here’s a growing list of tools for Black women creating on our own terms:

💼 Business Grants + Funding

Hello Alice – Regular grant listings for women and minority-owned businesses.
IFundWomen – Crowdfunding and coaching for women entrepreneurs.
SBA Microloans – Up to $50K in small business support.
Comcast RISE – Reopening soon; for BIPOC & women entrepreneurs.

📚 Skill Building + Career Shifts

Coursera – Upskill with top courses in tech, business, data, and more.
Skillshare – Tap into creative and entrepreneurial classes.
RemoteWoman – Remote jobs at women-friendly companies.
Fiverr + Upwork – Turn your skills into freelance income.

🏁 Launch or Legalize Your Biz

The Black UpStart – Culturally relevant startup training for Black entrepreneurs.
SCORE Mentors – Free 1-on-1 mentorship to help your business thrive.
ZenBusiness – Affordable LLC registration and business services.
Bizee – Most simple of them all (to me)

🧾 Support While You Rebuild

MD Unemployment Portal – Apply for benefits and check status.
Benefits.gov – See what support you’re eligible for (nationwide).
211.org – Local help with housing, food, child care, and more.
Black Tribe – dedicated to empowering Black innovators, entrepreneurs, homesteaders, authors and creative artists.

✨ Final Word

Sis, the pipeline may be drying up — but don’t let that discourage you. This isn’t the end. It’s a reroute.

We are builders by nature. Creators by instinct. We’ve powered boardrooms, classrooms, operating rooms, and living rooms. And now, we’re pouring that same magic into businesses, communities, and dreams with our names on them.

If you’ve been laid off or edged out — it’s not your fault.
If you’re feeling lost or disillusioned — you’re not alone.
And if you’re thinking about starting over — you are right on time.

We are the new infrastructure. Let’s resource each other. Share this. Save it. Bookmark it. Build with it.

We’ve got doors to make.

Xoxo, Drea