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Pink Tariff? Black Women Hit Hardest by Trump’s Trade Moves

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — From higher prices on diapers and cleaning supplies for childcare providers to increased costs for raw materials for Black-owned haircare brands

Published

8 months ago

April 9, 2025

Stacy M. Brown

By Stacy M. Brown
BlackPressUSA.com Senior National Correspondent

As the Trump administration’s sweeping tariffs take effect, Mica Whitfield, Co-President and CEO of 9to5, National Association of Working Women, warns that the policies are another economic blow to already vulnerable communities—especially Black women. “These tariffs are just a tax on working people, especially working women,” Whitfield said on BlackPressUSA.com’s Let It Be Known News show. “They’re making decisions at the gas pump about groceries while rent is already sky-high. One in three single mothers is already living in poverty—tariffs push them closer to the edge.” Whitfield, who leads 9to5’s mission for economic justice for working women and non-binary people of color, says these new economic burdens should be viewed through a gendered lens. She compares them to the long-standing “pink tax”—the added cost women pay for everyday items like razors and personal care products—only much worse.

“We can think of it as the pink tariff,” she said. “Women already pay more with smaller financial margins. These tariffs just stack on top of that.” In practical terms, the price hikes caused by tariffs reach deep into women’s lives, especially for those working in care industries or running small businesses. From higher prices on diapers and cleaning supplies for childcare providers to increased costs for raw materials for Black-owned haircare brands, Whitfield said the domino effect is widespread. “Black women are the fastest growing group of entrepreneurs, but they’re already struggling with access to capital,” she said. “Now they’re forced to find new sources for packaging or ingredients just to stay afloat. This could close doors for so many of them.” She said the same goes for caregivers. “We work with Black and Brown women who provide childcare in their homes or run small centers. Tariffs raise prices for the essentials they need—wipes, toys, and cleaning supplies—which are already expensive. This is the kind of pressure that can bring the whole house down,” Whitfield asserted.

As Americans suffer from the fallout, states like California, under Governor Gavin Newsom, have floated the idea of independent trade negotiations. However, Whitfield, who is based in Georgia, noted that such state-level innovation isn’t possible everywhere. “Red states have been slow to respond to the administration,” she said. “Our folks in Georgia and Wisconsin are doing the resistance work on the ground, but it’s tough. We’re watching states like California try to hold the line while others leave working people to carry the burden.” Whitfield says part of her organization’s work is to make economic issues like tariffs more accessible. “Tariffs sound abstract, but they’re not. They’re a working people’s issue,” she said. “We’ve estimated they’ll cost the average family about $3,800 a year—around $300 a month. That’s a real hit.” She also worries about the Trump administration’s proposed cuts to programs like Head Start, which she said would devastate communities of color. “These programs are already deeply underfunded. Millions of children who qualify don’t get access,” she said. “Gutting Head Start means more kids without early education and more parents, mostly mothers—unable to work. It’s a domino effect that sets back another generation of Black and Brown children.”

Founded in Boston over 50 years ago, 9to5 inspired the classic film Nine to Five, starring Dolly Parton, Jane Fonda, and Lily Tomlin. Today, the organization operates chapters in Colorado, Wisconsin, and Georgia, organizing working women and non-binary people around issues like childcare, paid leave, workplace harassment, and economic justice.

Whitfield and her Co-President, Ashley Panelli, are the first Black women to lead the organization. “Our roots are in worker justice, but our focus now is specifically on those doing low-wage, care-based jobs—mostly Black and Brown women,” she said. Though federal wins have grown more elusive, 9to5 continues to build power locally, pushing for change through city commissions, public service boards, and school boards. “In Southwest Georgia, people were paying power bills as high as their rent,” Whitfield said. “So, we started organizing around public service commissioner races and utility boards—things people didn’t realize directly impact their lives.” When asked how she got into this work, Whitfield traced her activism back to the Million Woman March in Philadelphia, which she attended as a preteen. Her path continued through public health and maternal justice work before she joined 9to5. “I worked with newly diagnosed women living with HIV, many who found out their status while pregnant,” she said. “The intersection between economic stability and health became clear to me. From zip code to paycheck, it all impacts Black women’s well-being.” Now, she’s calling on the public to see tariffs for what they are: taxes that hit the most vulnerable the hardest. “This isn’t abstract,” Whitfield said. “It’s going to impact your pockets.”

For more information, visit 9to5.org.

Stacy M. Brown

Posts by Stacy M. Brown

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LIHEAP Funds Released After Weeks of Delay as States and the District Rush to Protect Households from the Cold

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — The federal government has released $3.6 billion in home heating assistance after a delay that left states preparing for the start of winter without the program’s annual funding.

Published

6 days ago

December 1, 2025

Stacy M. Brown

By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent

The federal government has released $3.6 billion in home heating assistance after a delay that left states preparing for the start of winter without the program’s annual funding. The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, known as LIHEAP, helps eligible households pay heating and cooling bills. The release follows a shutdown that stretched 43 days and pushed agencies across the country to warn families of possible disruptions.

State officials in Minnesota, Kansas, New York, and Pennsylvania had already issued alerts that the delay could slow the processing of applications or force families to wait until December for help. In Pennsylvania, more than 300,000 households depend on the program each year. Minnesota officials noted that older adults, young children, and people with disabilities face the highest risk as temperatures fall.

The delay also raised concerns among advocates who track household debt tied to rising utility costs. National Energy Assistance Directors Association Executive Director Mark Wolfe said the funds were “essential and long overdue” and added that high arrearages and increased energy prices have strained families seeking help.

Some states faced additional pressure when other services were affected by the shutdown. According to data reviewed by national energy advocates, roughly 68 percent of LIHEAP households also receive nutrition assistance, and the freeze in multiple programs increased the financial burden on low-income residents. Wolfe said families were placed in “an even more precarious situation than usual” as the shutdown stretched into November.

In Maryland, lawmakers urged the Trump administration to release funds after the state recorded its first cold-related death of the season. The Maryland Department of Health reported that a man in his 30s was found outdoors in Frederick County when temperatures dropped. Last winter, the state documented 75 cold-related deaths, the highest number in five years. Rep Kweisi Mfume joined more than 100 House members calling for immediate federal action and said LIHEAP “is not a luxury” for the 100,000 Maryland households that rely on it. He added that seniors and veterans would be placed at risk if the program remained stalled.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore used $10.1 million in state funds to keep benefits moving, but noted that states cannot routinely replace federal dollars. His administration said families that rely on medical equipment requiring electricity are particularly vulnerable.

The District of Columbia has already mapped out its FY26 LIHEAP structure in documents filed with the federal government. The District’s plan shows that heating assistance, cooling assistance, weatherization, and year-round crisis assistance operate from October 1 through September 30. The District allocates 50 percent of its LIHEAP funds to heating assistance, 10 percent to cooling, 13 percent to year-round crisis assistance, 15 percent to weatherization, and 10 percent to administrative costs. Two percent is used for services that help residents reduce energy needs, including education on reading utility bills and identifying energy waste.

The District’s plan lists a minimum LIHEAP benefit of $200 and a maximum of $1,800 for both heating and cooling assistance. Crisis benefits are provided separately and may reach up to $500 when needed to resolve an emergency. The plan states that a household is considered in crisis if it has been disconnected from energy service, if heating oil is at 5 percent or less of capacity, or if the household has at least $200 owed after the regular benefit is applied.

The District’s filing notes that LIHEAP staff conduct outreach through community meetings, senior housing sites, Advisory Neighborhood Commissions, social media, posters, and mass mailings. The plan confirms that LIHEAP applicants can apply in person, by mail, by email, or through a mobile-friendly online application and that physically disabled residents may request in-home visits.

As agencies nationwide begin distributing the newly released funds, states continue working through large volumes of applications. Wolfe said LIHEAP administrators “have been notified that the award letters have gone out and the states can begin to draw down the funds.”

Stacy M. Brown

Posts by Stacy M. Brown

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Seven Steps to Help Your Child Build Meaningful Connections

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — Swinging side by side with a friend on the playground. Sharing chalk over bright, colorful sidewalk drawings. Hiding behind a tree during a spirited game of hide-and-seek. These simple moments between children may seem small, but they matter more than we think

Published

6 days ago

December 1, 2025

Oakland Post

By Niyoka McCoy, Ed.D., Chief Learning Officer, Stride/K12

Swinging side by side with a friend on the playground. Sharing chalk over bright, colorful sidewalk drawings. Hiding behind a tree during a spirited game of hide-and-seek. These simple moments between children may seem small, but they matter more than we think: They lay the foundation for some of life’s most important skills.

Through everyday play, young children begin learning essential social and emotional skills like sharing, resolving conflicts, showing empathy, and managing their emotions. These social skills help shape emotional growth and set kids up for long-term success. Socialization in early childhood isn’t just a “nice-to-have”—it’s essential for development.

Yet today, many young children who haven’t yet started school aren’t getting enough consistent, meaningful interaction with peers. Research shows that there’s a decline in active free play and peer socialization when compared to previous generations.

There are many reasons for this. Children who are home with a parent during the day may spend most of their time with adults, limiting opportunities for peer play. Those in daycare or preschool may have restricted free play, and large classrooms can reduce supervision and social coaching. Some children live in rural areas, are homebound due to illness, have full schedules, or rely on screens to fill their playtime. And for some families, finding other families with young children to connect with isn’t easy.

While these challenges can feel significant, opportunities for connection still exist in every community. Families can take simple steps to help children build friendships, create a sense of belonging, and strengthen social skills. Here are some ideas to get started:

Storytime sessions at libraries or local bookstores
Community offerings such as parent-child workshops, art, music, gymnastics, swimming, or sports programs
Weekly events at children’s museums, which may include art projects, music workshops, or science experiments
Outdoor exploration, where kids can play with peers
Local parenting groups that organize playdates and group activities
Volunteer opportunities where children can participate, such as pet adoption events or packing meals at a food bank
Classes for kids at local businesses, including hardware, grocery, or craft stores

Some of these community activities are free or low-cost and give kids the chance to build friendships and practice social skills. Parents can also model positive social behavior by interacting with other parents and encouraging their children to play with their peers.

These may seem like small moments of connection, but they can have a powerful impact. Every time your child shares a toy, plays make-believe with peers, or races a friend down the slide, they’re not just playing—they’re learning the skills that build confidence, empathy, and lasting friendships. And it’s good for you, too. Creating intentional opportunities for play also helps you strengthen your own network of parents who can support one another as your children grow together.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

#NNPA BlackPress

Seven Steps to Help Your Child Build Meaningful Connections

Published

6 days ago

December 1, 2025

Oakland Post

By Niyoka McCoy, Ed.D., Chief Learning Officer, Stride/K12

Storytime sessions at libraries or local bookstores
Community offerings such as parent-child workshops, art, music, gymnastics, swimming, or sports programs
Weekly events at children’s museums, which may include art projects, music workshops, or science experiments
Outdoor exploration, where kids can play with peers
Local parenting groups that organize playdates and group activities
Volunteer opportunities where children can participate, such as pet adoption events or packing meals at a food bank
Classes for kids at local businesses, including hardware, grocery, or craft stores