Hey ladies. We need to talk.

This is a serious matter, and more importantly, this is a moment when we need to support each other.

There has been a staggering shift happening with Black women in the workforce. During 2025, nearly 600,000 Black women were economically sidelined from the U.S. workforce—a number that includes women who lost jobs, remained unemployed or left the labor force.

And when I saw that number, I immediately thought about the women behind it.

These aren’t just statistics.

These are mothers. Single women. Wives. Caregivers. Women paying mortgages and rent. Women with children in college. Women helping aging parents. Women who have degrees, certifications and years—sometimes decades—of experience.

Women who did what we were told to do.

Go to school. Work hard. Be dependable. Build your career.

And yet here we are.

So I don’t want to write another article telling Black women how difficult things are.

We already know.

I want to talk about what we can DO.

Whether you’ve recently lost your job, you’re worried about what’s happening at your company, you’re considering a career change, or you’re simply paying attention to what’s happening around us, I want us to start thinking differently about our careers.

Because, ladies, the workplace is changing.

And we need to get ahead of the curve.

First, Don’t Let a Job Title Define You

I really want us to get this one.

Your job is something you do.

It is not the sum total of who you are.

A company can eliminate your position tomorrow. That doesn’t suddenly eliminate 10, 15 or 20 years of experience.

Think about everything you’ve learned.

You’ve managed people.

You’ve solved problems.

You’ve handled budgets.

You’ve calmed down angry customers.

You’ve developed programs.

You’ve organized events.

You’ve written proposals.

You’ve trained employees.

You’ve built relationships.

You’ve figured things out when nobody else knew what to do.

Those are skills. And those skills belong to YOU—not your employer.

Sis, Take Inventory

If you’ve been affected by a layoff, before you start sending your résumé everywhere, sit down and really look at what you’ve built.

Get yourself a notebook.

Write down your accomplishments.

What did you create?

What did you improve?

What problems did you solve?

What did people constantly come to you for?

What are you really, really good at?

Sometimes we’ve been doing something so long that we don’t even recognize it as a skill anymore.

But somebody else may be willing to pay you very well for something you’ve been casually doing for years.

Don’t underestimate what you know.

You May Need to Rebrand Yourself

And no, I’m not talking about becoming somebody you’re not.

I’m talking about finally learning how to communicate your value.

Maybe your title was Administrative Assistant.

But what were you actually doing?

Were you coordinating executives, managing schedules, planning events, communicating with vendors and keeping an entire department functioning?

That’s operations.

That’s project coordination.

That’s executive support.

That’s organizational management.

See the difference?

Sometimes we aren’t underqualified.

We’re underselling ourselves.

Look at your résumé and LinkedIn profile with fresh eyes.

Don’t just tell people where you worked.

Tell them what you know how to do.

Get Visible Before You Need Something

Ladies, please hear me on this one.

Do not wait until you need a job to start networking.

Reach back out to the woman you worked with five years ago.

Have coffee with that former colleague.

Attend the conference.

Go to the professional association meeting.

Comment on LinkedIn.

Share something you know.

Write the article.

Apply to speak on the panel.

Tell people what you’re working on.

Your network should know who you are before you need to send the “Hey, I’m looking for opportunities” message.

And while we’re talking about supporting each other—if you see another woman looking for work and you know somebody she should meet?

Make the introduction.

If you see a position that reminds you of your girlfriend?

Send it.

If your company is hiring?

Tell somebody.

If you know someone’s résumé isn’t representing how talented she really is?

Help her.

This is one of those seasons when our networks need to become networks again.

Not just followers.

Not just likes.

Community.

Learn What’s Coming

We also have to talk about AI.

I don’t believe every woman needs to become a technology expert.

But I absolutely believe we need to understand how technology is changing our own industries.

Don’t run from AI.

Learn how to use it.

Learn the new systems being introduced in your profession.

Take the free class.

Earn the certification.

Watch the webinar.

Ask your employer about professional development.

Use your library.

Use LinkedIn Learning if you have access.

And if you’ve been laid off, check with your local workforce development office before paying thousands of dollars for retraining. You may qualify for career or training assistance.

We have to stay curious.

And Maybe It’s Time to Create Another Stream of Income

I have been thinking about this one a lot.

We’ve been taught to look for security in employment.

But if the last several years have taught us anything, it’s that sometimes that “secure job” isn’t quite as secure as we thought.

That doesn’t mean everybody needs to quit tomorrow and start a business.

Please don’t read this article and go turn in your resignation at 3:00. Monique did NOT tell you to do that.

I’m saying start thinking about your options.

What else could your knowledge produce?

Could you consult?

Teach a workshop?

Tutor?

Freelance?

Write?

Speak?

Create a digital product?

Teach a class?

Start a small service business?

Turn something you’ve been doing for free into something people actually pay you to do?

You don’t need seven side hustles and three businesses.

Start with one thing.

One additional stream of income can become breathing room.

And breathing room creates choices.

If You’ve Already Been Laid Off

I especially want to speak to you.

I know it’s easy for somebody who still has a paycheck to tell you to “look at this as an opportunity.”

Bills don’t stop because you’re in a season of transition.

So handle the practical things first.

Apply for unemployment if you’re eligible.

Review your health insurance options.

Contact your creditors if necessary.

Find your local American Job Center.

Ask about WIOA funding and Dislocated Worker programs. Depending on your circumstances, there may be funding available for career services or job training.

Then give yourself permission to look beyond simply replacing the job you lost.

Ask yourself:

What do I want the next version of my career to look like?

Maybe it’s another position.

Maybe it’s a different industry.

Maybe it’s leadership.

Maybe it’s entrepreneurship.

Maybe it’s finally asking for the salary you’ve been afraid to ask for.

Maybe you’re about to discover that your skills travel much farther than you thought.

And For the Women Who Are Still Employed…

Get ready now.

Not because I want us walking around afraid we’re going to lose our jobs.

Absolutely not.

I want us prepared.

Update your résumé.

Update LinkedIn.

Keep track of your accomplishments.

Know what your skills are worth in the marketplace.

Build relationships outside your organization.

Learn something new.

Start saving what you can.

And start building a professional identity that belongs to you, not just your employer.

Because I want us walking into the next decade of our careers with options.

Most Importantly, Ladies, Let’s Support Each Other

This is bigger than individual career advice.

Nearly 600,000 Black women being economically sidelined should concern all of us.

So while we’re navigating our own careers, let’s reach back.

Share the job posting.

Make the introduction.

Recommend her for the position.

Review her résumé.

Hire her business.

Tell somebody about her work.

Put her name in the room when she isn’t there.

We have always known how to build community.

This is another moment when we’re going to need it.

And if you’re one of the women going through this right now, I want you to remember something:

Your experience is not gone.

Your value is not gone.

Your gifts are not gone.

And your future certainly isn’t gone.

You may simply be standing at the beginning of your next chapter.

So regroup.

Learn.

Rebrand.

Reach out.

And then get ready to move.

We’ve got work to do, ladies. And we’ve got each other.

— Monique

---

Resources for Women Navigating Layoffs or Career Changes

American Job Centers
Free job-search assistance, career counseling, résumé support and information about local workforce programs.

CareerOneStop
Career exploration, salary information, training resources, certifications, résumé assistance and job-search tools sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor.

U.S. Department of Labor — Dislocated Worker Programs
Career and reemployment services for eligible workers who have lost jobs through layoffs and other qualifying circumstances.

U.S. Department of Labor — Rapid Response
Assistance and information for workers affected by layoffs and plant or facility closures.

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)
Contact your local American Job Center to determine whether you qualify for federally supported career services or occupational training.

Illinois workNet
Career, training and layoff-assistance resources for Illinois workers.

SCORE
Free business mentoring, workshops and resources for women considering entrepreneurship or turning professional expertise into a business.

Small Business Administration Women’s Business Centers
Training, counseling and resources for women starting and growing businesses.

Sources & Links

Economic Policy Institute — Black Women Suffered Large Employment Losses in 2025, Particularly Among College Graduates and Public-Sector Workers

Fortune — The Exit Economy Is Here: Black Women Are Paying the Highest Price

U.S. Department of Labor — WIOA Adult and Dislocated Worker Program

U.S. Department of Labor — Rapid Response Services

CareerOneStop — Career, Training and Job-Search Resources

Illinois workNet — Layoff Assistance for Workers

SCORE — Free Small Business Mentoring and Education

U.S. Small Business Administration — Women’s Business Centers