Today’s observance of Black Women’s Equal Pay Day marks a step backward. It falls even later than last year because the wage gap between Black women and their white male counterparts has widened since Donald Trump took office. Despite tireless advocacy, Black women working full time, year-round, are paid only 65 cents for every dollar earned by their white male counterparts. To close the gap to that dollar earned in 2025, Black women must work an additional six months and twenty-one days. Black women are the fastest-growing group of entrepreneurs in the U.S. and represent roughly 2.7 million businesses nationwide.
DNC Vice Chair for Civic Engagement and Voter Participation Reyna Walters-Morgan released the following statement to recognize Black Women’s Equal Pay Day:
“We must continue to call out the gender and racial pay gaps that affect Black women in today’s workforce. Democrats are focused on lowering costs and creating good-paying jobs. Meanwhile, Trump and Republicans in Congress continue pushing harmful policies that are costing families thousands of dollars and making it harder to get ahead.”
Under the disastrous policies of Trump and Republicans in Congress:
- Black women’s inflation-adjusted wages have dropped nearly 6% since Trump took office.
- Since Trump took office, the employment-population ratio dropped from 59.1% to 57.8% among Black women.
- Last month, Labor force participation among Black women fell to 61.3%, down more than a full point from when Trump took office and down to one of the lowest levels outside of the pandemic in more than three decades.
- Black unemployment continued to rise in the first half of 2026, while white employment remained stable.
- Cuts to the federal workforce have disproportionately affected Black women.
