Black Women in Washington’s Public Sector Gather to Address Workplace Inequities and Build Solutions
May 4, 2026
OLYMPIA- On Wednesday, April 22nd, 70 + Black women working in Washington’s governments, nonprofits and social and human services gathered at the Washington State Capitol building. The event, called “Black Women in the Public Sector: Training, Cocreating and Self-Care” marked another critical step in the Women’s Commission’s initiative in partnership with the state business resource group, Blacks United in Leadership & Diversity (BUILD).
Origins of the Black Women in the Public Sector Initiative
In 2025, Black women lost hundreds of thousands of jobs, bearing the brunt of layoffs for the year. From January to August 2025, Black women accounted for 54.7% of job losses for women, despite representing only 14.1% of the female workforce. According to the Economic Policy Institute, this staggering decline was driven by cuts to the public sector.
In response, From February to March 2026, the Women’s Commission and BUILD surveyed Black women across Washington’s public sector. More than 400 Black women across Washington’s public sector trusted us with their stories by responding to our statewide survey. Their responses revealed widespread inequities and systemic barriers in the workplace.
Collecting Lived Experience and Data
Of 410 Black women working in governments, nonprofits and social and human services across the state:
- 99.8% experienced harmful behaviors and systemic barriers in the workplace
- 75% reported impacts to their mental health
Respondents rated their workplace experience a 2.7 out of 5. Read the key findings.
The response to the survey demonstrated a clear need for Black women in the public sector to have a space to share their experiences and a strong desire to identify solutions. Over 60% of respondents have worked in the public sector for more than eight years. These are employees who care deeply about their work and want to stay, but who also say they need to see change.
The Women’s Commission sought to create a space for respondents to gather, share stories, build community, and engage in self-care. This opportunity came together in a half-day program on April 22.
During the program, attendees—most of whom responded to the survey—reviewed a deep dive of the data, collaborated on a tool to better support Black women navigating workplace challenges, and participated in a guided meditation.
Next Steps
The Women’s Commission is committed to continuing this work. Our next steps are to:
- Finalize and release a tool for Black women navigating public sector workplaces.
- Publish a detailed analysis of findings.
3. Engage the Governor’s Office and state agencies to support more equitable workplaces across Washington.
Future publications and additional resources for Black women navigating mistreatment in the workplace will be made available at Black Women in the Public Sector – Women’s Commission