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black women at work

If employers want to do better by women, they must do better by Black women.

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In all our research on the state of women at work, we see the same general pattern: Women are having a worse experience at work than men. Women of color are having a worse experience than white women. And Black women in particular are having the worst experience of all.

To shine a light on the barriers holding Black women back at work, we’re releasing a new report, The State of Black Women in Corporate America.

The State of Black Women in Corporate America

Our new report draws on several years of LeanIn.Org and McKinsey & Company’s research on the experiences of Black women in the workplace—and outlines specific steps companies should take to make sure Black women are treated fairly and given equal opportunities to learn, grow, and lead.

Read our report

Black women aren’t paid fairly—and that hits harder in an economic crisis

On average, Black women make 38% less than white men and 21% less than white women. And as COVID-19 has shown, they bear a disproportionate share of the impact when our economy is in crisis.

Get the facts about the pay gap

Working at the intersection: What Black women are up against

Living at the intersection of racism and sexism is far from easy. Black women are discriminated against for being Black and for being women, and they exist in both identities at all times. Read our page outlining the story and data behind Black women’s resilience—both inside of work and beyond.

Learn more

“At this moment when our national conversation has finally turned to the systemic injustices Black people face, it’s critical that we take a hard look at what’s happening in the workplace.”

Raena Saddler, Managing Director and VP of People & Rachel Thomas, Co-founder and CEO

Read The Op-Ed on Fortune

Discussion questions

Discuss these issues with your Circle, friends, or co-workers using our discussion questions—designed to help you process and discuss the findings of our new report.

View discussion questions

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