The supposed racial reckoning of America in 2020 largely worked out in Black workers' favor. As the country responded to the death of George Floyd, corporations appeared to create workplace policies that would attract and keep Black talent. How did this translate to our pockets?
Hiring and wages increased, and Black workers exercised their power in numbers by organizing in unions. This is in stark contrast to the beginning of the pandemic when over 3.5 million Black workers lost their jobs.
Unfortunately in the case of an economic recession we will likely be among the first to receive cuts in benefits and salaries or be the first to be laid off. So how can Black workers prepare for this?
The labor market may not always be in our favor, however, our resilience is our greatest strength. Saving a few bucks, however we’re able, will help us prepare for a recession and survive a downturn. We have survived far worse in this country.