The job market for Black women is changing in 2025. Many Black women with disabilities are turning to self-employment as a path to financial stability, according to new research from Georgia State University.

The study, published in a special issue on Black Americans with disabilities, looked at labor market trends from August to September 2024. Using U.S. Census Bureau data, researchers examined responses from 91 Black women who identified as having physical or mental health disabilities.

A growing trend

They found that 43.9% were self-employed. Within this group, two-thirds reported more than one mental health condition, over a quarter had visual impairments, around 12% had mobility issues, and a similar share had hearing impairments.

The findings also show that Black women with physical disabilities were more likely than those without such disabilities to hold a graduate degree (31% versus 15.5%) and to earn $50,000 or more per year (55.4% versus 33.7%).

“Black women with disabilities can create their own paths to financial independence,” the researchers wrote. “With the right tools, they can thrive in the labor market.”

The report stresses the role of counselors in supporting career development. Understanding that self-employment is a serious option for Black women with disabilities can help counselors provide better guidance. Training programs, the authors argue, must also prepare counselors to challenge stereotypes and harmful narratives that damage psychological well-being.

Work, the study concludes, is more than a source of income. It is a key factor in health and well-being. Ignoring how systemic barriers shape job opportunities risks missing the larger picture of a client’s life.