Women of Color Are Being Targeted and Cancelled. It Must End.

I see this issue playing out everywhere, every day - the full silencing of women’s voices, especially those of Women of Color. It’s so blatant and in-your-face wherever we go: across politics, culture, workplaces, public spaces, faith communities, and private spheres.
It’s incredibly hard to witness this without feeling deeply affected. We are losing leaders, experts, and amazing professionals every day due to disgusting anti-DEI policies and the subsequent intimidation. This is systemic racism on steroids—period.

From my perspective, the targeted discrimination against women of color is worse now than it was fifteen years ago. I’m speechless at how widespread and frequent it has become.
Equally alarming is the impact of these policies on our country’s expertise, leadership, and workforce. The targeting and removal of women, especially women of color, will cause significant brain drain, as well as the loss of expertise and experience , with lasting, generational effects. Not to mention the loss to the science community. We already saw how women of color were disproportionately affected by COVID, and now this deepening nightmare of anti-DEI policies worsens that situation.
This is a serious crisis. The immorality of targeting women of color is horrifying, but the blatant depletion of this workforce’s talent is idiotic and beyond measure
The response is not to “wait and see.” We must recognize the severity of the problem, speak out loudly and frequently, everywhere. We must unite and stand in solidarity with all women.
The Current Impact
While specific job loss figures vary, at least 148,000 federal employees had left government service by August 2025 through attrition, buyouts, and layoffs under the Trump administration. These cuts disproportionately affected agencies with a majority of female employees.
Important to note: not all women and women of color have been affected equally. Analyses show that Black women have experienced more significant job losses—over 300,000—in recent months, particularly in the public sector, due to federal budget cuts and the rollback of DEI policies. These policies disproportionately impacted Black women, who are overrepresented in both affected federal agencies and DEI-related roles. This is a targeted cancellation of people, expertise, and their voices.
Key Findings

• Significant Job Losses for Black Women:Black women lost 319,000 jobs from February to July this year, becoming the only major female demographic to see substantial job declines during this period.
• Contrasting Demographic Trends:Based on BLS data and federal agency reports, while Black women faced steep job losses, white women experienced a gain of 142,000 jobs, and Hispanic women gained 176,000 in the same period—highlighting the racial disparity. This is the definition of discrimination.
• Targeted Agencies:Major agencies facing budget cuts, including the Department of Education, Veteran’s Affairs, and the U.S. Agency for International Development, employ a majority of women, further amplifying impacts on women of color.

Negative Impacts on All Women of Color
Women of color continue to face higher unemployment rates. For example, the BLS reports Black women’s unemployment at 6.8%, and Latina women at 6.4%, compared to white women at 3.5%. These disparities reflect ongoing systemic barriers to job retention and access.

Moving Forward…
With the news of women of color being pushed out, targeted, and disrespected, it’s crucial for white women to speak up and collaborate with all women and women’s organizations to address these injustices loudly. We must be strong allies and unite to challenge this reality. Black women have been advocating for all women for centuries. As allies, we must take tangible actions:

• When witnessing targeting of women of color at work, in communities, or groups, speak up, condemn it, and document it in writing.
• When hiring, oppose organizations’ anti-DEI policies, use DEI as a helpful tool, and make progress—don’t obey anti-DEI policies that regress or ignore diversity.
• Boycott anti-DEI or racist organizations.
• Recognize that this issue is pervasive. Over 300,000 individuals and their families have been deeply affected, and the actual number is likely much higher. We must raise awareness in every space and tell our stories to highlight this injustice.
• Support women of color- owned businesses with your dollars.

Support Organizations Addressing This Issue
Numerous organizations have long worked to combat these issues and are ready to assist. Please support and collaborate with them:

• The Fearless Fund: Supports women of color entrepreneurs through venture capital and grants; has faced legal challenges to grant programs supporting Black women entrepreneurs.
• Color of Change: The largest online racial justice organization in the U.S., working to build Black political power and challenge biased media narratives.
• Higher Heights for America: This national organization works to harness the political power of Black women by empowering them to run for office and participate in voting.
• National Black Women's Justice Institute (NBWJI): The NBWJI works to reduce racial and gender disparities across the justice system that affect Black women, girls, and their families.
• Black Women's Health Imperative (BWHI): Founded in 1983, BWHI is the only national organization dedicated to the health and wellness of Black women and girls through research, advocacy, and educational programs.
• Black Mamas Matter Alliance (BMMA): Addressing the disproportionately high maternal mortality rates among Black women, BMMA advocates for policy changes and works to improve maternal health outcomes.
• The Loveland Foundation: Created by Rachel Cargle, this nonprofit provides financial resources and access to mental health services and therapy for Black women and girls.
• Buy From a Black Woman: This organization works to empower Black women entrepreneurs by providing business training, networking opportunities, and a platform to increase the visibility of their businesses.
• Women Employed: This group has publicly expressed solidarity with organizations targeted by the anti-DEI movement, advocating for equity efforts and defending policies that have historically created opportunities for women and people of color.

Let’s all be strong allies, link arms with everyone and address this loudly, together.