Pressley urges Powell to tackle the growing unemployment among Black women

Pressley Calls on Powell to Address Unemployment Among Black Women

Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) has urged Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell to tackle the rising unemployment rates for black women, a situation that has worsened during the Trump administration.

Recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicates that unemployment among black women is currently 2.4 percentage points above the national average. Pressley noted, “The unemployment rate for black women has remained relatively high since March of this year, especially given the mass federal layoffs that have disproportionately affected them. Black women constitute about 12% of the federal workforce, which is notably higher in comparison to their 7% share in the broader labor market.” This was mentioned in her letter to Powell.

In a broader context, national labor statistics echo troubling patterns reflected in areas with significant black unemployment rates, which some experts suggest are a staggering 3.9 times greater than the national average.

Data from Washington, DC reveals that a mass shooting incident linked to the Trump administration in early 2025 saw the black unemployment rate in the area skyrocket to 9.9%, compared to a mere 2.6% for the general population, according to the Institute of Fiscal Policy.

Glen Lee, the chief financial officer for the district, expressed concern that these developments could lead to a mild recession in 2026, with expected revenue reductions over the next three years.

As per BLS data, the unemployment rate for black women has seen an increase of 1.3% between February and July, with a similar rise of 1.5% observed among black men during the same timeframe.

Recently, Trump has publicly criticized Powell for not adjusting interest rates and for various other reasons. The president has even called for Powell to resign or appointed Stephen Milan to interim duties in a vacant Fed governor position.

Pressley’s call for transparency seems particularly timely, especially as many corporations are rolling back diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives that were initially established after George Floyd’s death in 2020.

This year, Powell and other economists pledged to advocate for maximum employment across all demographics.

In her letter, Pressley stated, “Attacks on DEI practices have worsened conditions for black women. When employers don’t prioritize diversity, economic barriers like discrimination and wage gaps become more prevalent.”

She emphasized that Federal Reserve experts should uphold their mission by actively exploring policy measures that could mitigate unemployment among black women and address broader demographic inequalities.

The legal mandate requiring the Federal Reserve to promote maximum employment applies to everyone, irrespective of race or gender, she asserted.

Lawmakers are seeking data on how unemployment is impacting black women, and Pressley has urged the Fed to continue their efforts in supporting maximum employment, along with a comprehensive strategy to combat the high unemployment rates affecting black women.

She also pressed Powell to maintain the independence of the central bank, cautioning against illegal terminations, noting the case of Lisa Cook’s ousting during the Trump administration as a pertinent example.