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New report unveils alarming workplace inequities for Black women in California
The study is co-authored by Dr. Sharon Uche and Kellie Todd Griffin.
Representative Image. / Pexels
The California Black Women's Collective Empowerment Institute (CABWCEI) has released a powerful new report, Invisible Labor, Visible Struggles: The Intersections of Race, Gender, and Workplace Equity for Black Women in California. Co-authored by Dr. Sharon Uche and Kellie Todd Griffin, this research provides an in-depth analysis of the systemic barriers Black women face in the workplace, highlighting urgent calls for reform.
Black women in California
California has 1.1 million Black women, which is the fifth-largest population in the country, said Dr. Sharon Uche, Researcher, CA Black Women's Collective Empowerment Institute.
The study, conducted in partnership with EVITARUS, surveyed 452 employed Black women across California, revealing significant challenges, including workplace discrimination, wage disparities, microaggressions, lack of access to leadership roles, and the psychological toll of navigating inequitable work environments.
Salaries are still not on par with white women, white men, and or at the California median wage.
More than half of Black families in California are made of single Black women. Black single moms are earning the least. Where white men earn annually $90,000, Black women earn $54,000, while single moms make $50,000. Single moms made nearly 40,000 less. That's an additional eight years of groceries, an additional year of housing and rent, 19 years of utilities and an astronomical amount of gas and cell phone services payments. It could buy things diapers and childcare.
These disparities impact the quality of life for Black single moms. “This economic gap is not projected to close for nearly 100 years!” said Dr Uche.
"For decades, Black women have been the backbone of industries, communities, and movements—yet we continue to be undervalued, underpaid, and overlooked in the workplace. The data is clear: systemic racism and sexism are not just historical injustices; they are active forces shaping the workplace experiences of Black women today. This report is a call to action—one that demands intentional policies, corporate accountability, and systemic change," said Kellie Todd Griffin, President & CEO, California Black Women’s Collective.
Black women have higher educational achievement or attainment than the audiences or the demographics that their income has become lower than, said Dr. Sharon Uche.
Reports of racism and discrimination and stereotyping and microaggressions are highest. in the public sector. That is something that from a policy perspective, we can do something about.
Invest in policy change to retain Black women workforce
Glenda Gill, President & CEO, Save A Girl, Save A World said, “We have to invest in policy change and practice transformation for the next generation. Black women are the fastest growing demographic of employees and entrepreneurs.
In June 2023, Black women's labor force participation was 62.9 percent, among the highest of any group of women.
“We need people in the workforce and if we don't address these issues, they're not going to want to be in the workforce.”
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