Economic Opportunity & Reproductive Justice for Black Women and Families
Economic opportunity is essential to enabling Black women and families to exercise their reproductive autonomy and lead self-determined,fulfilling lives. Defined broadly1 as equitable access to good-paying jobs, fair wages, and wealth-building resources, true economic opportunity actively combats economic inequality and the persistent racial wealth gap that limits Black families’ choices. Despite efforts toward gender and racial equity, systemic barriers continue to hinder Black women from reaching their full economic potential—undermining their ability to make empowered choices about their reproductive health. The fight for increased economic opportunity—through paid family leave, affordable childcare, and equitable wages—is central to ensuring that Black women and families can thrive and make decisions that support their well-being.
Persistent Economic Inequality Impacts Reproductive Choices
Black women in the U.S. continue to face significant barriers to economic security, earning just 69 cents for every dollar paid to white, non-Hispanic men. Over a 40-year career, that persistent wage gap robs Black women working full time of about $1,019,200 in cumulative income, deepening economic inequality.Black women in the U.S. continue to face significant barriers to economic security, earning just 70% of what white men earn, a persistent wage gap that deepens economic inequality.2
This wage disparity not only reflects broader racial and gender inequities, but also directly affects Black women’s ability to pay for vital resources such as healthcare, housing, and childcare—key factors in reproductive health. Without equitable wages, Black women face limited opportunities, making it difficult to plan for the future or maintain a stable family life.
Paid Family Leave: Protecting Health and Income
One of the most critical issues is the absence of paid family leave, which disproportionately impacts Black women, who are often the primary caregivers within their families. Yet only 13 percent of the lowest-paid workers—disproportionately Black women—have any paid family-leave benefits, forcing many to choose between caregiving and a paycheck.3 Without paid leave, Black women face difficult choices between their health, family needs, and financial well-being. This lack of support creates an economic burden, especially for low-income families, and prevents women from caring for their loved ones without sacrificing their income.
Child Care Costs and Workforce Participation
High childcare costs are another significant economic barrier for Black families. For many Black women, the cost of childcare consumes a large portion of their income, limiting their ability to maintain employment and care for their families. For Black mothers needing center-based care for two children, those fees can swallow up to 56 percent of median household income—an untenable burden that drives many women out of the labor force.4 Without affordable and high-quality childcare, Black women are faced with the difficult task of balancing work, family, and financial stability.
Closing the Wage Gap & Advancing Gender Pay Equity
Addressing wage inequality is essential to achieving economic opportunity for Black women. The persistent racial and gender wage gap limits Black women’s access to well-paying jobs and leadership positions, perpetuating cycles of economic insecurity. Stronger enforcement of pay equity policies is necessary to ensure that Black women receive equal pay for equal work. Closing this wage gap will allow Black women to secure economic stability and create opportunities for future generations.
Building Black Wealth for Future Generations
Achieving true economic justice requires more than closing pay gaps, it demands creating lasting pathways to wealth.5 Home-ownership initiatives, baby bonds, and targeted small-business grants are proven strategies that grow Black wealth and protect families against economic instability. By pairing fair wages with wealth-building vehicles, policymakers can begin to dismantle structural barriers and foster inter-generational prosperity.6 7
Only by addressing these economic inequities can we create a more just society and ensure that all women have the freedom and resources to thrive.
Key Policy Recommendations to Create Economic Opportunity
- Ensure all workers have access to paid family leave to support caregiving responsibilities without financial hardship.
- Increase funding for affordable childcare services to alleviate the financial burden on working families.
- Strengthen regulations to close the wage gap, ensuring equal pay for equal work regardless of race or gender.
- Invest in training and education programs that equip individuals with skills for higher-paying, sustainable employment.
- Uphold and enhance labor protections to prevent discrimination and exploitation in the workplace.
- Expand and make refundable the Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit, putting cash directly into low- and moderate-income Black households.
- Seed Black-owned businesses and cooperatives through dedicated federal and state grant programs that lower barriers to capital.
Fuel Economic Opportunity: Donate Today
Your contribution powers In Our Own Voice Action Fund for paid family leave, affordable child care, equitable wages, and wealth-building programs that let Black women and families thrive on their own terms. Make a gift now to amplify Black voices, advance Reproductive Justice, and build a future where economic opportunity is a reality for every Black household.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are economic opportunities and why do they matter for racial justice?
Economic opportunities are the pathways to secure living-wage jobs, fair pay, paid leave, affordable child care, and access to capital that let Black women and families thrive. The median Black household holds just $24,100 in wealth, while the median white household holds $188,200, so expanding these pathways is essential to closing the racial wealth gap and advancing justice.8
How does In Our Own Voice Action Fund create economic opportunities for Black communities?
The Action Fund mobilizes voters, advocates for paid family-leave laws, equitable wages, and affordable child-care funding, and centers Black women’s lived experience in every policy platform. It also runs grassroots campaigns that connect supporters with economic-empowerment resources.
What types of economic opportunities are available through In Our Own Voice Action Fund’s programs?
Current offerings include virtual policy-advocacy training, downloadable toolkits on paid leave and fair wages, and alerts that guide supporters to resources for Black-led initiatives.
How can individuals or businesses get involved in supporting economic opportunities for Reproductive Justice?
You can volunteer in policy phone-banks, become a sponsor, or make a donation that fuels advocacy and grants for Black-owned enterprises.
What success stories demonstrate the impact of economic opportunities promoted by In Our Own Voice Action Fund?
After sustained advocacy from the Action Fund and partners, federal leaders adopted child-care and paid-leave investments that directly benefit millions of Black caregivers, showing how coordinated grassroots pressure can shape national policy.
Are there resources or workshops available to help entrepreneurs access economic opportunities?
Yes. The Action Fund’s resource hub posts webinars, and partner toolkits, and entrepreneurs can tap federal programs for grants for small businesses.
1 The Federal Reserve: National Health Law Program: Disparities in Wealth by Race and Ethnicity in the 2019 Survey of Consumer Finances: https://www.federalreserve.gov/econres/notes/feds-notes/disparities-in-wealth-by-race-and-ethnicity-in-the-2019-survey-of-consumer-finances-20200928.html.
2 National Women’s Law Center: Black Women Have Been Undervalued and Underpaid for Far Too Long: https://nwlc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/BWEPD-2024.6.28v4.pdf.
3 The Center for Law and Social Policy: Paid Family and Medical Leave is Critical for Low-wage Workers and Their Families: https://www.clasp.org/publications/fact-sheet/paid-family-and-medical-leave-critical-low-wage-workers-and-their-families/.
4 AXIOS: Pennsylvania’s surging childcare costs: https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2023/06/14/child-care-costs-pennsylvania.
5 Institute for Women’s Policy Research: Fact Sheet: https://iwpr.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Black-Women-Wage-Gap-Fact-Sheet-2024.pdf.
6 The Federal Reserve: National Health Law Program: Disparities in Wealth by Race and Ethnicity in the 2019 Survey of Consumer Finances: https://www.federalreserve.gov/econres/notes/feds-notes/disparities-in-wealth-by-race-and-ethnicity-in-the-2019-survey-of-consumer-finances-20200928.html.
7 Urban Institute: The State of Baby Bonds: https://www.urban.org/research/publication/state-baby-bonds.
8 Minority Business Development Agency: Grants: https://www.mbda.gov/financial-resources/grants.