WHENFEDERALJOBSDISAPPEAR:IMPACTSONBLACK WELLBEINGINTHEDMV
EXECUTIVESUMMARY
Thiscasestudyexamineshowrecentfederalworkforcereductions,including masslayoffs,hiringfreezes,deferredresignations,andtheeliminationofDEIroles, havedisproportionatelyharmedBlackfederalworkersandBlackcommunitiesin theWashington,DC–Maryland–Virginia(DMV)region.Theanalysisshowsthat theseactionsunderminediversityandinclusionwithingovernmentby acceleratingtheexitofBlackprofessionals,erodinginstitutionalknowledge,and weakeningagenciesthatdisproportionatelyserveBlackcommunities.The impactsextendbeyondemploymentoutcomestomentalhealth,accessto healthcare,foodsecurity,andcommunitystability,demonstratingthatworkforce diversityisdeeplyconnectedtopublichealth,economicequity,andeffective governance.Ultimately,thebriefarguesthatfederalworkforceretrenchmentis notrace-neutral,andthatprotectingdiversity,equity,andinclusionwithin governmentisessentialtosustainingbothinstitutionaleffectivenessandracial equity.
KeyFindings
EliminatingDEIroleshasmaterialequityconsequences.TheremovalofDEI positionsandprotectionscoincideswithdisproportionatejoblossandinstabilityfor Blackfederalworkers,signalingthatDEIisnotsymbolic;itisstructuraltoworkforce equityandretention.
Federalemploymentisacornerstoneofracialequity.Forgenerations, public-sectorjobshavemitigatedprivate-sectordiscriminationbyproviding Blackworkerswithstablewages,benefits,andretirementsecurity.Weakening thispathwaywidensracialeconomicgaps.
Workforcediversityisinseparablefromcommunitywell-being.Layoffs affectingBlackfederalworkersrippleoutward,contributingtomentalhealth strain,housinginstability,foodinsecurity,andweakenedcivicinstitutionsin Black-majoritycommunities.
“Efficiency”reformsarenotrace-neutral.Policiesframedascost-savingor efficiency-drivendisproportionatelydestabilizeagenciesandregionswhere Blackworkersareconcentrated,revealinghowostensiblyneutralreformscan exacerbateinequities.
DEIisessentialtogovernmenteffectiveness,notancillary.Adiverseand stablefederalworkforcestrengthensinstitutionalcontinuity,publictrust,and thegovernment’sabilitytoservediversecommunities—particularlyinhealth, education,andsocialservices.