Podcast Highlights the Contributions of Black Women in the American Workforce, Ongoing Fight For Equal Pay

In recognition of ongoing disparities that affect millions of Black women, In These Times magazine and the Leonard C. Goodman Institute for Investigative Reporting present a 12-episode podcast series In The Gap, hosted and produced by award-winning Black woman journalist Chandra Thomas Whitfield. Available now on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn, and most major podcast platforms (view the episodes list and listen on InTheseTimes.com), In The Gap features everyday Black women and experts alike sharing their personal experiences and insights facing systemic racism, gender discrimination and ultimately pay discrimination on their jobs.

“The In The Gap podcast explores how race and gender discrimination affects the lives—and livelihoods of Black women in the American workplace,” says Thomas Whitfield, a 2019-2020 Goodman Institute fellow, whose work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Huffington Post, Essence and on NBCNews.com. “With the latest research on this issue as a backdrop, this podcast provides a space for Black women to share their emotional experiences while also exploring solutions. Listeners have an opportunity to learn and grow in their understanding of the historic issues, public policies, and contemporary challenges that contribute to the chronic economic and wealth disparities that persist for Black women and their families in American society. More importantly, this podcast affirms their experiences and with data as a backdrop, conveys to America why Black women’s’ livelihoods matter. We deserve equal pay!”Episodes explore the historical roots of the gender pay gap, the “motherhood penalty,” the role of labor unions in the fight for equal pay, pay transparency, and more. In the first episode, engineer Aja reflects on her heartbreaking discovery that a white male co-worker made an entire salary more than her for the exact same job—for which she had more experience.

The status of Black women in America

For the first time, a Black and South Asian woman is serving as Vice President of the United States. While marking a major milestone in American history worthy of honor and acknowledgment, Black History Month 2021 presents an ideal opportunity to acknowledge the legions of Black women—past and present— who have yet to receive their due for their longstanding contributions to the American workforce. The sobering reality is that in 2021, Black women in the United States who work full time, year-round are typically paid just 62 cents for every dollar paid to white, non-Hispanic men. Some research suggests that Black women lose an estimated $946,000 in earnings over the course of a 40-year career compared to their white male counterparts; especially concerning in light of the fact that more than 80 percent of Black women are the breadwinners of their households. This pay gap persists regardless of education, location, and age, and in both low- and high-paying positions.

To arrange media coverage or to schedule interviews, please contact Host/Producer Chandra Whitfield at [email protected].

In These Times is a Chicago-based politically progressive monthly magazine of news and opinion that has been covering issues of equity and justice since 1976.