Unemployment only counts people who are still actively looking for work. When people give up the search, they disappear from the rate entirely. The number can go down while fewer people are actually working. For Black women specifically, that's a very real possibility sitting underneath a headline that looks promising.

I have a confession: After all this talking about not apologizing for existing…I spent a good chunk of the holiday season doing exactly that.

On February 21, 2026, I’ll be delivering a talk called “What Happens When You Stop Apologizing for Existing.”

Fair housing isn't just about access—it's about equity, fairness, and accountability. Now more than ever, we need to push back against these rollbacks, hold decision-makers accountable, and advocate for policies that keep our communities from being left behind.