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THE FACTS 

 THE NEED TO IMPROVE  

 THE LIVES OF BLACK WOMAN

 AND GIRLS IN CALIFORNIA 

THE DATA

Did you know that Black Women and Girls in California fare far less than their female counterparts on most quality of life indexes? Check out the data:

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  • The Black female population in California is the third largest in the country with 1.1 million residents.

  • Los Angeles has 39% of the Black Female population in the state.

  • Although we only represent approximately 6% of Women in the state, our impact on social and political issues have lead the way to remove barriers that have helped our counterparts thrive.

  • According to statewide data, more than a third of Black females live in poverty, which is the largest percent among all Women.

  • In addition, 75% of Black households are headed by single mothers along with 80% of the household have Black Women breadwinners compared to 41% for White, 56.4% for Hispanic, 24.9% Asian Pacific Islander (API) and 66.3% Native American Women.

  • Similarly to their white counterparts, Black Women make far less than white males at $.63 to every dollar, which is $.12 lower than White Women.

  • On average, Black Women in California spend 50% on housing and 20% on childcare, higher than any other group.

  • Nearly 60% of Black Women, which is the highest among Women, are in the workplace with median earnings of $43K compared to White Women’s $52K and API Women’s $50K.

  •  Hispanic and Native American Women earn less at $30K and $38K respectively.

  • However, Black Women have the highest unemployment rate between the age of 16-64 at 17%, which is more than double Asian and White Women.

  • 48% of low and moderate income Black Women 18 years and older are food insecure.

  • One out of four Black Women working are in service occupations. Nearly 40% are in managerial or professional occupations compared to more than 50% for White and Asian Women.

  • Black Women only represent 7.7% of Women on businesses in California. White Women owned businesses are 62.3%, Hispanic Women owned businesses are 27.7%, API Women owned businesses are 14.3%, Native American Women owned businesses are 16.9 and other and Other Women owned businesses are 13.2% of all Women owned businesses.

  • 23% of Black Women in California have a Bachelor Degree or higher compared to 39.3% of White, 47.3% of API, 12.1% Hispanic, 14.3% Native American and 38.1% other Women.

  • Black Women take on more debt than any other group and repaying loans impede their ability to pay other essential expenses.

  • Black Women are 5.7% more likely to receive subprime mortgage and 8.5% more likely to receive a high cost subprime mortgage than Black Men and 256% more likely than White Men

  • Black Women vote at comparatively high rates and had a higher voting rate than all other group of men and Women during the last two presidential elections but remain underrepresented at every level of federal and state political office.

  • California has only four Black Women in Congress, which is the largest contingency than any other state.

  • At the state level, there are four Black Women with all being from Southern California and no Black Woman serving in a statewide office.

  • Even though approximately 80% of Black Women have some form of health insurance, they still have a higher Percentage of chronic diseases including diabetes and cardiovascular disease as well as the highest mortality rates from chronic disease.

  • Although Black Women are least likely to get breast cancer but most likely to die from it when diagnosed.

  • 1 out of 3 Black Women delay care due to copays, deductibles and financial issues.

  • 11.4% of Black Babies born with low birth rates nearly double any other race.

  • 41% of Black Women are obese in the state.

  • Sexually transmitted infections disproportionally impact Black Women and Teens.

  • Black Women and teens rates of chlamydia and gonorrhea are approximately 5 times as higher than White Women. It’s even higher for HIV and syphilis.

  • The average annual hospital encounters for Black Women due to assault is 1,000 per 100,000 in California compared to White Women at 225.4, Hispanic Women at 236.4, Native American Women 379.3 and API Women at 60.6.

  • Black Women life expectancy in California is 78.5 years of age, more than 5 years less than the average woman in California. White Women life expectancy is 83.5 years of age.

  • Black Girls and Foster Youth are the most trafficked victims in the state.

  • Black Women are three times more likely to be incarcerated than White Women.

  • Black Girls and young Women make up one-third of all girls and young Women in the juvenile justice system but only make up 14% of the general youth population.

  • Black Women make up 32% of incarcerated Women in state facilities even though they only make up 6% of the population.

  • Black Women are impacted by domestic violence 35% higher than White Women.

 

These among other disturbing data points have ignited this effort to develop this effort to focus on Black Women and girls. Data sources were used including the Status of Black Women in the United States by the National Domestic Workers Alliance; Women’s Well-Being Index by California Budget and Policy Center; Black Minds Matter by The Ed Trust West; Black Women Deserve Better by Black Women for Wellness; Black Women in the US 2017: Moving Our Agenda Forward in a Post-Obama Era by Black Women Roundtable; California Children’s Report Card by Children’s Now; The Chisholm Effect: Black Women in American Politics by Higher Heights; and a host of articles. 

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