On Tuesday, the Bureau of Labor Statistics released revised preliminary benchmarking data indicating that a significantly lower number of jobs were added to the U.S. economy in the 12 months ending in March 2025—only about half as many jobs were created as previously estimated.

Indeed, the American economy is undoubtedly facing challenges. The unease is amplified by concerns that the White House might censor or manipulate data if it reflects poorly on President Trump’s policies. Currently, recent figures are not favorable. Only a limited number of jobs were added in August, far below expectations, and job growth significantly slowed this summer. June saw the loss of 13,000 jobs, marking the first decline since 2020.

Compounding this labor market weakness is the jeopardized reliability of the government’s economic data. After characterizing last month’s unimpressive jobs numbers as “”, President Trump abruptly dismissed the Bureau of Labor Statistics commissioner and nominated to the top position. Antoni, who once managed a Twitter account featuring bigoted attacks and conspiracy theories and who economists across the political spectrum widely regard as , has even suggested eliminating the Bureau’s monthly job report altogether.

With economic data in an uncertain state, Black women might be one of the best economic indicators remaining. Black women act as the “canary in the coal mine” for the economy’s health. Because they are disproportionately concentrated in economically vulnerable sectors such as retail and services, a sharp increase in Black women’s unemployment signals an impending downturn for the broader economy. They are among the initial groups to exhibit signs of economic distress that later affect other populations.

Black Women: An Early Economic Warning System

During the Great Recession, Black workers were the most severely impacted in the labor market, experiencing the highest unemployment rates throughout the downturn. As the crisis deepened, widespread job losses occurred across the board. And while other populations began to recover, Black women continued to lose jobs even after the recession was declared officially over.

The COVID-19 recession presented a similar pattern. Black workers once again endured record job losses. Despite historically low unemployment rates in March 2020, the unemployment rate for Black women surged between February and May, reaching —one of the highest among all groups, surpassed only by Latina women. Soon after, other groups also experienced unprecedentedly high unemployment rates.

Beyond official government data, Black women persist in raising concerns that the economy is not serving them or their communities. At the outset of the pandemic, Black women were the most likely to worry about losing their jobs and struggling to pay their bills. Their worries proved justified. Over two years later, the unemployment rate for Black women remained elevated (5.3%), while unemployment for women overall had returned to February 2020 levels (3.1%).

Black women, as it turns out, are frequently the first to be hit by a crisis and the last to experience the benefits of recovery. This “double whammy” reflects the cumulative costs of racism and sexism. As Anna reports in her forthcoming book, [Book Title], Black women are often employed in precarious jobs characterized by low wages, limited security, and few benefits, and are underrepresented in the highest-paying careers. Even during prosperous times, Black women experience lower promotion rates, receive less managerial support, and are typically paid less than white men with the same or even lower levels of education. In challenging times, this “Double Tax” exacts an even worse toll because systemic inequalities position Black women in the eye of the economic storm. As a result, their economic experiences function as a nationwide early warning system, revealing shifts in the economy even before they appear in broader statistics.

Current Economic Impact on Black Women

So, what is the current situation for Black women? While we still have access to reliable data, signs suggest the economy is heading in an unfavorable direction. In the spring, unemployment among Black women began to rise, spiking from [a certain percentage] in March to [another percentage] in August, while the unemployment rate of most other demographic groups saw smaller increases or held steady. Because Black women are disproportionately concentrated in public sector jobs, the Trump Administration’s cuts to the federal workforce have likely contributed to over [a specific number] individuals leaving the labor force between February and July. Except for the pandemic, Black women have not experienced such staggering job losses.

Reflecting these employment statistics, Black women are reporting high levels of financial concern. A survey conducted by the Highland Project found that the percentage of Black women stating economic conditions have worsened in the last year skyrocketed, increasing from 40% in 2024 to 87% in 2025. Alarmingly, the survey also found that over half of Black women (54%) are now worried about routine and rising bills, an even higher percentage than those who were worried during the height of the pandemic (44%).

This sudden increase in unemployment and financial worry among Black women is not a mere coincidence. It is a recurring pattern observed in recession after recession, and it is one we should not disregard. History demonstrates that Black women’s experiences provide a timely and accurate glimpse into the earliest economic cracks that eventually extend to the rest of society. By paying attention to Black women, policymakers can identify downturns more quickly and respond sooner, thereby limiting the damage. That’s why governmental policies aimed at addressing the needs of those who are first and hardest hit by a crisis ultimately benefit everyone.

Early warning signs are only valuable if they are heeded. Let’s not miss the one Black women are sounding yet again.