Committee on Finance 3-09-26

The Philadelphia City Council Committee on Finance held a public hearing focused on the economic challenges disproportionately impacting Black women in the city, particularly in light of recent job losses and persistent wage gaps. Expert economists and community leaders testified about the high unemployment rates among Black women, the impact of federal job cuts, and systemic barriers including discriminatory hiring practices and implicit bias, both human and algorithmic. Discussions highlighted the importance of legislative measures such as salary transparency and prohibiting inquiries into prior salaries, as well as the need for targeted support for Black women entrepreneurs and employer firms to foster economic stability and job creation. The hearing also addressed the role of local government in supporting workforce development, minority-owned businesses, and equitable contracting opportunities, with calls for intentional investment and policy reforms to promote generational wealth and economic equity for Black women in Philadelphia.