In a Challenging Labor Market, Black Women with Disabilities Are Choosing Self-Employment

Alexandria, Va. (August 27, 2025) — While the employment landscape for Black women continues to shift in 2025, Black women with disabilities are actively pursuing self-employment as a viable career option, according to new research published in the Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development, a publication of the American Counseling Association.

The report, “Breaking Barriers: The Economic Realities of Self-Employed Black Women With Disabilities,” is part of a special issue focusing on Black Americans with disabilities. The study captures a pivotal snapshot of Black women with disabilities in the labor market between August and September 2024.

The study explored the rates at which Black women with specific disabilities engaged in self-employment. Using data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey, researchers analyzed feedback from 91 Black women who identified as having physical or mental health disabilities.

Researchers found 43.9% of Black women with disabilities were self-employed. Of this group, 66.9% had more than one mental health condition, 27.3% reported visual impairments, 11.8% had mobility disabilities and 11.3% reported auditory impairments.

Findings also revealed that Black women with physical disabilities were more likely than Black women without physical disabilities to have a graduate degree (31% vs. 15.5%, respectively), and to earn $50,000 or more yearly (55.4% vs. 33.7%, respectively).

“Black women with disabilities can create their own paths to financial independence, and they can thrive and survive in the labor market with the right tools,” said the study’s lead author Gemarco Peterson, PhD, assistant professor of clinical rehabilitation counseling at Georgia State University in Atlanta.

Peterson explained that if counselors understand that Black women with disabilities want to participate and thrive in the labor market, and view self-employment as a viable option, it leaves room for counselors to provide stronger career development support that honors clients’ intersecting identities.

Researchers stated that it is essential for counselors to understand the impact of vocation, particularly self-employment, on a client’s overall well-being. In addition, counselor education programs must continue to train counselors to recognize how society’s stereotypes and inaccurate narratives harm the psychological well-being of Black women with and without disabilities.

“Vocation is a key social determinant of health,” Peterson said. “The systemic barriers in today’s society extend to employment, impacting the mental and emotional well-being of the client. If we silo vocation and employment, we miss the bigger picture of the whole person.”

For more information, contact news@counseling.org or karen@addispr.com.

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About the American Counseling Association

Founded in 1952, the American Counseling Association (ACA) is a not-for-profit, professional and educational organization that is dedicated to the growth and enhancement of the counseling profession. ACA represents more than 60,000 members and is the world’s largest association exclusively representing professional counselors in various practice settings. Driven by the belief that all people can benefit from the power of counseling, ACA’s mission is to advance mental health and well-being through advocacy, community, inclusion and research. ACA works to promote the professional development of counselors, advocate for counselors, and ensure that ethical, culturally inclusive practices protect our members’ clients and all people who seek counseling services. Connect with ACA on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky and YouTube.