October 29, 2025
By: YW Boston
Leading with Inclusion: The Status of Women of Color in – and Out – of the Workplace
On October 28, 2025, YW Boston hosted “Leading with Inclusion: The Status of Women of Color in – and Out – of the Workplace,” featuring expert panelists Ericka Hines, Dr. Janaé Bonsu-Love, Kim Borman, and Secretary Lauren Jones, and moderated by Anouska Bhattacharyya, Ph.D. Panelists explored how organizations can sustain focus on women of color amid political shifts and shrinking DEI infrastructure, emphasizing not just participation but thriving in the workplace.
Key Takeaways
Current Landscape
Women of color are the fastest-growing segment of the U.S. workforce, yet many remain under-leveraged. Panelists highlighted concerning trends: over 300,000 Black women left the workforce in early 2025, and the race-gender wage gap persists. Small gains in representation have not yet translated into equitable advancement or pay.
Making the Invisible Visible
Tracking more than demographics, retention, career advancement, and employee experiences, is critical. Structural barriers, such as caregiving responsibilities and transportation inequities, often go unnoticed but significantly impact women of color.
Reimagining Thriving
Thriving workplaces combine equitable pay, transparent career pathways, leadership accountability, flexible work arrangements, and psychological safety, creating environments where women of color can flourish.
Shared Ownership
DEI accountability must extend beyond HR. Every leader plays a role. Panelists also discussed how policy initiatives in Massachusetts, including wage transparency and career pathways, complement organizational efforts.
Centering women of color is not optional, it is a measure of an organization’s readiness for the future of work.
Resources
Boston Women’s Fund October 2025 Data Report
Massachusetts June 2025 Workforce Data Report
Black Women Thriving Data Dashboard
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This event is part of Leading with Inclusion, YW Boston’s ongoing series offering practical strategies and inspiration for advancing equity in today’s rapidly changing workplace.
