The Women’s Economic Institute, Inc., founded in 2017, is a policy and advocacy institute focused on driving generational wealth, economic stability, and income security for women and girls of color through policy, technical assistance, workforce readiness, and leadership development training. 

From barriers in education to a gender based pay gap that widens with race, women of color are significantly underrepresented in corporate America. Often because they lack the relationships, mentoring, leadership and professional development critical to career growth— resulting in little to no access to the C-Suite and minimal career advancement. 

Women of color are also subject to the race and gender income gap.  Throughout the nation, women of color earn between forty-three to sixty-seven cent for every dollar earned by their white, non-Hispanic male counterparts.  In addition to wage differentials and inequities, little to no access to mid-level career or management opportunities, and lack of access to the C-Suite, women of color are experiencing an increase in unemployment, underemployment, and employment at poverty level wages, further stunting their family’s overall economic viability and access to the American dream. 

Jobless Rate Sparks New Class of Entrepreneurs

According to the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation, “As of February 2015, the nation’s overall jobless rate fell to its lowest point in seven years (5.5%), while women’s unemployment fell to a six-year low (4.9%), and white women’s unemployment hit a seven-year low (4.2%). Completely counter to that trend, Black women’s unemployment actually ticked up, reaching 8.9%.  Black women’s unemployment in January 2018 is down to 6.8%, 2.1% less than it was a year ago, however it remains significantly higher than all other women in America.”

The Black Women’s Roundtable 2015 Report further notes, “While it is true that educational advancement provides an important pathway to opportunity in America, it is also critical to understand that wage differentials amongst African American women persist across every level of education. In other words, education is not a conduit to fair pay.” Nor is it a conduit to equal access to capital or opportunity for women entrepreneurs, which are growing rapid fire.  

According to Black Enterprise Magazine, Black women are the fastest-growing group of entrepreneurs in the nation, starting businesses at six times the national average. However access to capital, influential networks, mentoring and ancillary business, legal and financial services are looming challenges facing Black women entrepreneurs. WEI is designed to encourage policy and a solutions-based approach to economic development training for women professionals and entrepreneurs of color.

1. Black Women’s Roundtable Report dated Mach 26, 2015.

2. Black Women Business Owners Outpace All Other Startups Six Times National Average. Carolyn M. Brown, Black Enterprise, March 4, 2016. Blackenterprise.com it here.