Black Women Bear the Brunt of Corporate America's DEI Rollback

Corporate America's commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI)—heralded in the wake of the 2020 racial justice movement—appears to be unravelling. Major companies, including Target and Walmart, have quietly dismantled DEI initiatives, often citing political pressure as justification. According to BET, Black employees—and Black women in particular—are disproportionately and unjustly impacted by these changes.

The rollback of DEI policies has more serious consequences than many anticipated. Black professionals are not only questioning the sincerity of corporate pledges but also struggling to trust systems that were supposed to support equity in the workplace. Historically excluded from many opportunities due to systemic oppression, Black women are now seeing those few pathways narrow even further. This shift amplifies existing disparities in employment, income and wealth.

Despite some progress in addressing inequality, the gap remains glaring. The fight for equity is ongoing—and far from over. Black professionals, especially women, must continue advocating for the opportunities that were promised and long overdue. Supporting Black-owned businesses, including startups, and championing equitable policies remain essential steps in resisting the harmful impacts of DEI rollbacks.

The numbers are stark: According to AfroTech, 38,000 Black women lost their jobs in April 2025 alone, raising their unemployment rate from 5.1% to 6.1%—the highest increase among all demographics. Black women are already underrepresented in industries such as technology, and this trend threatens to deepen that divide.

Corporate America still has significant work to do. DEI should go beyond hiring metrics—it must include continuous investment in the growth, advancement and leadership of Black women. In a world that too often seeks to marginalize them, corporations must be held accountable for building equitable systems that empower rather than exclude.