LANSING — Federal workforce cuts are reshaping Michigan’s job market, with new data showing some workers are being hit harder than others.
The Public News Service is reporting that unemployment among Black women has risen by nearly one-and-a-half percentage points over the past year, according to national figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Black women are more likely than other groups to work in government and public-facing jobs, sectors affected by federal budget cuts, buyouts, and workforce reductions.
Employment and civil rights attorney Chiquita Hall-Jackson says the federal government has historically been a major employer of Black workers, particularly Black women, meaning workforce reductions have an outsized impact when those jobs disappear.
In Michigan, people of color make up about 23% of state and local government workers, while Black residents account for roughly 15% of the population.
Supporters of the administration and Project 2025 argue that shrinking the federal workforce and scaling back diversity, equity, and inclusion programs reduces costs and increases efficiency.
Meanwhile, displaced workers are navigating broader economic uncertainty, including concerns about artificial intelligence and long-term job availability.