In the vibrant heart of Washington, D.C., the Anacostia River serves as both a geographical and metaphorical divide, broadly separating Wards 7 and 8 — communities rich in history and resilience — from the resources and opportunities available on the other side.
Women from Wards 7 and 8 often find themselves in long work commutes daily for opportunities that offer higher wages and career advancement, which are more prevalent in other parts of the city and neighboring areas, including Maryland and Virginia.
Inclusive workforce development seeks to address the various barriers limiting employment opportunities and economic mobility for Black women in Wards 7 and 8. According to the D.C. Policy Center, workers who rely on public transportation are predominantly Black residents who earn significantly less on average compared to those who can afford alternative modes of transportation. This financial disparity underscores the broader socio-economic divide that influences employment opportunities based on residential address. While transportation is a significant factor, it is crucial to consider other elements that contribute to a more equitable workforce landscape.
Wage Parity
A key component of inclusive workforce development is ensuring wage parity. It’s essential that women, particularly Black women, receive fair compensation for their work. Despite the Civil Rights Act of 1964 being passed six decades ago, Black women continue to face racial and gender-based pay disparities. In 1967, Black women working full-time year-round earned just 43 cents for every dollar that white, non-Hispanic men earned. By 2022, this gap had only narrowed by 26 cents, meaning Black women were making 69 cents to every dollar earned by their white male counterparts.
The gap is even more pronounced when considering part-time and part-year workers, where Black women earn just 66 cents for every dollar earned by white, non-Hispanic men. These figures highlight the ongoing need for robust policies and practices aimed at closing the wage gap. Addressing the issue of wage parity not only improves individual economic outcomes but also enhances community prosperity by ensuring fair compensation for all workers.
Non-Discriminatory Hiring Practices
Creating a diverse and inclusive workforce requires addressing discriminatory hiring practices. Organizations must commit to unbiased recruitment and selection processes that provide equal opportunities for all candidates, regardless of race, gender, or background. This includes implementing training programs to mitigate unconscious bias and establishing clear guidelines for fair hiring.
Education and Training
Access to education and vocational training is essential for workforce development. Programs that provide upskilling and reskilling opportunities can empower Black women in Wards 7 and 8 to pursue careers in high-demand fields like those in healthcare. Collaborations with local educational institutions, community colleges, and training centers are vital in creating pathways to well-paying jobs and career advancement.
Access to Childcare and Family Support
For many women, balancing work and family responsibilities is a significant challenge. Providing access to affordable and reliable childcare services is crucial in enabling women to participate fully in the workforce. Employers can support this by offering family-friendly policies, such as flexible working hours and parental leave. Access to childcare allows women to seek and retain better-paying jobs with family-sustaining wages, enhancing their economic stability.
Employer-Based Health Insurance
Access to health insurance directly impacts women’s ability to care for their health, which in turn affects their ability to stay employed. Without adequate health coverage, women may face challenges in accessing necessary medical care, leading to a vicious cycle of poor health and job insecurity. Ensuring that employers provide comprehensive health benefits is essential for maintaining a healthy and productive workforce.
Addressing Systemic Barriers
Within Wards 7 and 8, there is a noticeable gap in employment opportunities that offer sustainable wages and career growth. The lack of local infrastructure, including essential services like healthcare facilities, further contributes to this issue. Without adequate local employment options, residents are compelled to seek opportunities across the Anacostia River, where such infrastructure is more developed and job prospects are more promising.
The disparities in infrastructure between Wards 7 and 8 East of the River (EotR) and the rest of D.C. exacerbates the daily challenges faced by residents. One such challenge is the availability and access to reliable transportation. While the rest of D.C. boasts frequent bus services, ample metro stops, bike lanes, and walkable neighborhoods, the same cannot be said for EotR. Limited and unreliable public transportation options force residents into long and costly commutes, impacting their financial resources and quality of life.
Recent data underscores these challenges, revealing higher unemployment rates in Wards 7 and 8 compared to the rest of the District. According to the D.C. Policy Center, the unemployment rate in Ward 7 was 8.5% and in Ward 8, it was 11% as of June 2024, significantly higher than the District’s overall rate of 5.1%. These statistics highlight systemic issues that hinder economic mobility and contribute to long-term unemployment among Black residents.
To address these challenges, initiatives focused on upskilling residents for current job market demands and providing wraparound services to support job seekers is paramount. Looking forward, the future of workforce development in Wards 7 and 8 must be driven by stakeholders vested in the East of the Anacostia River community. To achieve optimal workforce outcomes for Black women in health-related careers, we believe in building a community- and population-focused strategy. This approach will strengthen the District’s workforce development system and the healthcare sector’s Career Pathways System by empowering Black women through lifelong learning, sustained employment, and economic security. Coordinated efforts among public and private partners, including JBRF, are essential to ensure that education, training, and supportive services are integrated and accessible.
Empowering Black women with the skills to improve their livelihood will take a collective effort. At JBRF, we have implemented trust-based philanthropy for the same reason. We cannot change the systems alone. Organizations like ours rely on our implementing partners, and community members to create lasting change. We will continue to partner with various organizations to catalyze change and address racial, health, and economic disparities through innovative solutions.
Moreover, accelerating investments through private philanthropy to address systemic barriers will significantly enhance opportunities for economic advancement. Education and advocacy efforts aimed at standardizing workforce development metrics based on national best practices will further support closing the racial wealth gap and promoting equity.
Despite the challenges, there is resilience and determination among the Black women of East of the River. Community-led initiatives and partnerships are paving the way for positive change for equitable employment opportunities in the healthcare sector, and enhanced access to essential cancer navigation services for Black women. By addressing these barriers, we can build a future where Black women thrive.