Let’s Talk About Black Women’s Equal Pay Day

Today, September 21 is Black Women’s Equal Pay Day. The date signifies how far into the year Black women must work to earn what men earned the previous year.

In 2020, Black women made 63 percent of what white, non-Hispanic men made and based on ACS Census data, the 2021 wage gap for Black women compared to non-Hispanic white men was 58 cents.

Advocacy for pay equity for Black women – and all women – is at an all-time high, but there is still so much more work to be done. If the wage gap keeps the same slow pace of the last 50 years, Black women will not reach pay parity with white men until the year 2124.

In 1996 a national coalition of labor unions, professional associations, civil rights organizations, and individuals declared the observation of Equal Pay Day, which was set to shine a light on the gender wage gap that all women face.

You may have heard that this year Equal Pay Day was on March 15, the earliest we’ve ever marked the occasion. And this is great news. As President Joe Biden declared in a prepared statement, “The earlier that Equal Pay Day arrives, the closer our Nation has come to achieving pay fairness.”

But Black women haven’t seen the same strides toward equality. In fact, Black Women’s Equal Pay Day – which was recognized on August 3 in 2021 -- is several weeks later this year. This means that for Black women the wage gap is WIDENING!

The pandemic certainly has a lot to do with this. Over half of Black women surveyed in a 2020 study by ESSENCE reported that they were facing or anticipating a negative financial impact as a result of the pandemic. This was due to job loss, unexpected caregiving responsibilities and more. A new study from Equal Rights Advocates shows over 50 percent of Black and Latinx folks struggled to make ends meet during the reign of the pandemic. Furthermore, childcare and student loans continue to take a toll, too.

We’ll never reach pay parity until we address the root of the problem – racism and sexism. Progress requires systemic change. And in the meantime, Black women must be our own advocates.

I’ve never worked in a traditional workplace or had a traditional corporate career, but this issue matters to me, nonetheless, because I want to see Black women and all women get the pay that they deserve. So I did some research to pull together some top tips for salary negotiation.

5 Tips for Salary Negotiation

1. Believe in yourself. Career coaches across the board agree that confidence is key. You’re not going to get the pay you deserve if you don’t believe you actually deserve it! Even before your interview, take some time to reflect on what you bring to the table. Consider your education, skills, accolades and accomplishments. Call up a friend or your mama if you need to and get her to hype you up a bit! Throughout your interview be sure to reiterate the impact and value that you bring. And don’t view your race or your gender as a liability. Everything about you is an asset. In a time where diversity is at the center of nearly every conversation from the classroom to the boardroom, you bring a unique perspective that is needed to take any company to the next level.

2. Do your homework. Before you accept a job offer or even apply for a job, do your research to understand what your peers are making. Know the appropriate salary range for this role and ask for the top tier of this range.

3. Focus on facts, not feelings. When you’re offered a job, take a beat before giving the hiring manager an answer. Don’t let the rush of excitement rush you into making a decision. Take time to consider all aspects of the compensation package – salary and benefits – and don’t be afraid to ask for more.

4. Rack up your receipts. If you’re asking for a raise at a job you already have, the same rules of salary negotiation apply. When it’s time for your annual review, come prepared with a record of your contributions and achievements. If you can track how much revenue you’ve added to the company’s bottom line by securing specific accounts, be sure to note that too. We can't expect someone to proactively give us something. We have to ask for it and be prepared with the receipts as to why we’re owed it.

5. Ask for what you want. Salary negotiation can feel uncomfortable or even scary but remember that you’re worth it. And remember the company isn’t doing you a favor by giving you a higher salary. You’re doing a job for the company and in exchange for the stellar work you have done or will do, they’re paying you a salary appropriate for your role.

How Allies Can Help

Men, non-BIPOC women, and Black women who’ve secured top-paying positions can help close the wage gap that Black women face too.

If you are in a hiring or managerial position, analyze your team's hiring and compensation practices. Here are some questions to consider:

• What is your company doing to ensure you’re hiring from a diverse applicant pool?

• Are you doing all you can within your team to pay people what they are owed for the position?

• Are women and people of color being paid the same as their white and male counterparts?

• What biases might exist and how can you work to fix those?

• Does your company need more unconscious bias training?

In meetings and projects, make sure that Black women have the same opportunities to present their work, to be heard, and to take credit for their ideas and contributions. Find ways to professionally and respectfully highlight their work and contributions so that key decision makers can recognize their impact.

You can take this a step further by being a mentor or sponsor for a Black woman in your company. As a mentor, you’ll offer guidance to help make a young woman’s career path a bit easier. You’ll identify some of the challenges she might encounter and offer advice on how to tackle them. These professional relationships can benefit mentors, too. If you’re a Baby Boomer or GenXer struggling with technology, the Millennials and Gen Z employees in your office can lend a helping hand.

If there’s a young woman in your company who’s doing such outstanding work that you’re willing to put your professional reputation on the line for her, step up and be a sponsor. Being a sponsor means using your influence to get a person considered for a specific role. Being a sponsor is a big deal but can lead to a big impact on someone’s career and life.

And when you change someone’s life, you help change the world.