This Week in ESG and Impact Investing

The March, 2025 uptick in Black unemployment raises significant concerns, particularly in light of substantial job cuts within the government sector. Our analysis shows two things: 1. Research suggests these layoffs have disproportionately affected Black workers, exacerbating existing economic disparities. 2. In light of the decline in Black unemployment, the report of an additional 225,000 jobs being added is suspect. In March 2025, the unemployment rate for Black workers increased to 6.2%, up from 6.0% in February. This results in an increase of approximately 44,392 individuals from February to March 2025. The rise aligns with projections made last month by Creative Investment Research, which anticipated that Black Americans would lose approximately 78,000 jobs between January and February, primarily due to reductions in government employment. https://www.blackenterprise.com/report-black-folks-could-make-up-almost-80k-of-employees-out-of-work-after-february-job-cuts-primarily-in-gov...

In February 2025, Trump announced tariffs targeting imports from Mexico, Canada, and China, claiming to bolster domestic manufacturing and address trade imbalances. These tariffs included a 25% duty on goods from Mexico and Canada and a 10% duty on Chinese imports. Such measures were projected to significantly impact Black and minority-owned businesses , which often rely on cost-effective supply chains and imported goods. (See:  https://www.impactinvesting.online/2025/02/trumps-tariffs-heavy-blow-to-black-and.html )  Since then, the administration has expanded its tariff strategy. On April 2, 2025, Trump declared "Liberation Day," introducing a 10% baseline tariff on all imports, with higher rates for specific countries. For instance, imports from China now face a 34% tariff, while those from the European Union are subject to a 20% tariff. These tariffs are set to take effect on April 5, 2025. ​ Implications for Black and Minority-Owned Businesses: Escalating Operational Cost...

On April 3, 2025, the U.S. stock market experienced significant declines following the announcement of new tariffs by President Donald Trump. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 1,531 points (3.6%), with Nike and Amazon.com Inc. leading the downturn. Nike's stock dropped $8.19 (12.6%), and Amazon's declined $18.73 (9.6%), together contributing approximately 165 points to the Dow's decline. The S&P 500 also saw a substantial decrease of 3.9%, with consumer discretionary and technology sectors being the hardest hit.  In light of these developments, Black investors may consider the following strategies to navigate the current economic landscape: 1. Prioritize Financial Planning and Education Building a solid financial foundation is crucial during periods of economic uncertainty.  Engaging with financial professionals who can provide tailored advice and act as financial "coaches" can enhance financial literacy and confidence in investment decisions. This app...

The unemployment report for March 2025, to be released on Friday at 8:30 am, is anticipated to reflect a significant spike in Black unemployment, building upon trends identified earlier this year. Our previous forecast, which initially expected unemployment spikes earlier in the year, was ahead of schedule, as employment losses among Black workers in government and public-sector jobs took slightly longer to materialize. According to our latest forecast for February 2025, out of a civilian noninstitutional Black population of approximately 35.6 million, about 22.1 million were participating in the labor force. At that point, around 20.7 million Black individuals were employed, resulting in an employment-population ratio of 58.1% and implying approximately 1.4 million unemployed Black workers. Given the significant February job cuts predominantly in the government sector, as  highlighted by the Black Enterprise article citing our report , it is expected that these cuts will become fu...

  The Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index for February 2025 increased by 0.3% from the previous month, with the core PCE index—which excludes food and energy—rising by 0.4%.  These figures suggest an uptick in inflation, which has implications for Black and minority-owned businesses. Impact on Black and Minority-Owned Businesses: 1. Increased Operational Costs: A 0.4% rise in the core PCE index indicates that the prices of goods and services, excluding food and energy, have edged higher. For minority-owned businesses, especially those operating with limited financial buffers, this can lead to increased costs for supplies, utilities, and other essential services, potentially squeezing profit margins. 2. Consumer Spending Behavior: While the overall PCE increase was 0.3%, the core inflation rate suggests that consumers might experience higher prices in various sectors. This will lead to more cautious spending behaviors, impacting revenues for businesses that rely...

Future Of CDFI Fund And MBDA, Uncertain With Their Planned Ouster: Axing the federal agencies could lessen Black businesses' ability to access capital and grow revenues. The Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund) has invested over $8 billion through various monetary award programs, helping underserved people and communities. The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) helped wrap up $3.8 billion in contracts for minority businesses in 2023. That drive is significant as it can help those firms, including Black-owned businesses, to scale up and potentially fuel revenue growth. However, the downside now is the CDFI Fund and MBDA — deep-rooted and bipartisan supporters of Black entrepreneurs and individuals, among others — are being cut by President Donald Trump. https://www.blackenterprise.com/future-cdfi-fund-mbda-uncertain-ouster/