#NNPA BlackPress

Trump’s Trade War Hits Black America Hardest as Tariffs Drive Up Costs

NNPA NEWSWIRE — For many in Black communities, the cost of that “pain” is far from abstract.

Published

1 year ago

February 3, 2025

Stacy M. Brown

By Stacy M. Brown
NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
@StacyBrownMedia

President Donald Trump’s latest round of tariffs—25% on imports from Canada and Mexico and 10% on imports from China—has sent shockwaves through global markets, sparking retaliatory measures from trade partners and raising concerns about the economic strain on American consumers. But for Black Americans, already facing disproportionate financial burdens, the fallout could be devastating. “Will there be some pain? Yes, maybe (and maybe not!),” Trump said in a statement. “But we will Make America Great Again, and it will all be worth the price that must be paid.”

For many in Black communities, the cost of that “pain” is far from abstract. Chaniqua Jones, a schoolteacher in New York, is already struggling with budget cuts in her district. “First, consider that most of our students struggle with necessities like food and shelter, and many tell us that if they can’t work, they can’t eat,” she said. “That and reduced school budgets that we’re already dealing with will hurt more because, something to remember, we can only use one vendor that the Department of Education approves for supplies, and that vendor can charge anything they want, including, if they choose, as much as $10 for a pencil.”

Jones’ concerns are echoed by business owners, truck drivers, and families who will feel the effects of higher prices in ways the White House appears to have ignored. Jonathan Dolphin, a truck driver from Pennsylvania, sees the changes already. “The trucking industry isn’t the same anymore,” he said. “Hauling heavier loads doesn’t pay us more, and the brokers still charge higher rates. Those people who voted for Trump now have to see how idiotic that was.” Fuel prices are among the biggest concerns for working-class Black Americans. Canada, the largest supplier of crude oil to the U.S., is now facing a 10% tariff on energy exports. Gas prices in some parts of the country are expected to rise by 30 to 70 cents per gallon, disproportionately impacting on lower-income families who spend a higher percentage of their income on transportation.

George McKenzie, a wildlife photographer in Florida, has already seen gas prices climbing. “I’m honestly worried about the price of gas and food going up,” he said. “As someone who travels frequently for work, any increase in fuel costs directly affects my livelihood.” Existing disparities in Black communities compound the economic damage from the tariffs. The median household income for African Americans in 2023 was $52,860—well below the national median of $74,580. The racial wealth gap, exacerbated by decades of discriminatory housing and employment policies, means Black families have fewer financial reserves to absorb rising costs.The tariffs also threaten the already fragile food security in Black communities. The U.S. imports 63% of its vegetables and 47% of its fruits and nuts from Mexico, and tariffs could push grocery prices even higher. Many predominantly Black neighborhoods already struggle with food deserts—areas with limited access to affordable, healthy food. Higher food costs could worsen the crisis.

“It’s already expensive to eat healthy where I live,” said Alicia Brown, a 28-year-old mother of two in Chicago’s South Side. “A gallon of milk is already $5. If they start charging more for fresh produce, people are going to have to make tough choices between food and rent.”

The auto industry, another key economic driver, is also set to take a hit. In 2023, the U.S. imported $69 billion worth of cars and light trucks from Mexico and $37 billion from Canada. Ford F-Series pickups and Mustang sports coupes rely on engines manufactured in Canada. Tariffs on auto parts will drive up costs, adding an estimated $3,000 to the price of some vehicles. For Black auto workers in cities like Detroit and Atlanta, job security is now in question. Many automakers are considering layoffs or plant closures if production costs soar. “We’re looking at a repeat of what happened in 2018 when Trump’s first tariffs led to layoffs,” said Maurice Richardson, a 58-year-old autoworker in Michigan. “Except this time, it’s going to be worse.”

The trade war has already drawn strong pushback from U.S. allies. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called Trump’s move “short-sighted and reckless,” adding, “If he thinks Canada will just sit back and accept these tariffs without response, he is gravely mistaken.” Canada has announced its retaliatory measures, imposing a 25% tariff on $155 billion worth of U.S. goods. Mexico, meanwhile, has slammed Trump’s justification for the tariffs, with President Claudia Sheinbaum calling it “an unjustified economic attack.” Mexico has signaled it may retaliate with tariffs on American exports, including corn and soybeans—moves that would further impact U.S. farmers and lead to even higher grocery prices.

China, the third nation targeted by Trump’s new tariffs, has also vowed to take action. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce announced plans to file a complaint with the World Trade Organization, warning that “the U.S. has chosen a path of confrontation that will hurt American workers more than anyone else.” In Washington, Congress’s response has been swift. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer criticized the tariffs. “It would be nice if Donald Trump could start focusing on getting the prices down instead of making them go up,” Schumer stated. “All tariffs are not created equal. Donald Trump is aiming his new tariffs at Mexico, Canada, and China, but they will likely hit Americans in their wallets. I am concerned these new tariffs will further drive up costs for American consumers.”

The senate leader continued:

“We should be focused on going hard against competitors who rig the game, like China, rather than attacking our allies. If these tariffs go into full effect, they will raise prices for everything from groceries to cars, to gas, making it even harder for middle-class families to just get by.” The economic storm created by Trump’s trade war is already brewing. The U.S. economy saw inflation drop from its peak in 2022, but analysts now predict a sharp reversal, with costs climbing for everyday necessities. African Americans, who have historically been left behind in economic recoveries, are likely to bear the brunt of the damage. “This is what happens when policy is made without thinking about the people who will be most affected,” said Dr. Jamal Reed, a District of Columbia-based economist. “This isn’t just an inconvenience. It’s an economic disaster waiting to happen.”

Stacy M. Brown

Posts by Stacy M. Brown

Up Next

How Young Children Learn by Going Outside

Don't Miss

Oakland Post: Week of January 29 – February 4, 2025

Stacy M. Brown

Click to comment

#NNPA BlackPress

Study: Waiting Lists for Child Care Assistance Nearly Doubled

BLACKPRESS USA NEWSWIRE — “Since the expiration of tens of billions of dollars in federal child care funding in 2023 and 2024, an already fragile child care system has been pushed even closer to the brink.”
The post Study: Waiting Lists for Child Care Assistance Nearly Doubled appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

2 days ago

June 8, 2026

Oakland Post

By National Women’s Law Center

The National Women’s Law Center released its annual State Child Care Assistance Policies report, finding that the number of children placed on waiting lists for federally funded child care assistance nearly doubled between 2024 and 2025 — and that number has only continued to grow.

The report serves as a key resource for state lawmakers, advocates, and policymakers by tracking state child care assistance policies and identifying where states are strengthening support for families and early educators — or falling behind.

“This deeply troubling increase in the number of children on child care waiting lists is the result of a failure to invest in this crucial sector,” said Karen Schulman, senior director of state child care policy and author of the report. “Since the expiration of tens of billions of dollars in federal child care funding in 2023 and 2024, an already fragile child care system has been pushed even closer to the brink.”

Key findings in the report related to waiting lists for child care assistance include:

• 17 states had waiting lists or a freeze on intake for child care assistance in February 2025, up from 13 states in February 2024.

• Approximately 106,700 children nationwide were added to waiting lists between February 2024 and February 2025, bringing the total to 225,500 children in February 2025 — a 90 percent increase compared to February 2024.

• The numbers climbed even further between February 2025 and summer/fall 2025, with more than 175,000 additional children added to state waiting lists in just a few months — a 78 percent increase.

• At least seven states newly began placing families on waiting lists or freezing intake, while at least 10 additional states saw their waiting lists grow, after February 2025.

The report also includes state-by-state data on key child care assistance policies, including income eligibility limits, parent copayments, provider payment rates, and eligibility policies for parents searching for work.

Click the link to learn more: Warning Signs: State Child Care Assistance Policies 2025.

The post Study: Waiting Lists for Child Care Assistance Nearly Doubled appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

#NNPA BlackPress

Venus Williams Calls a Sabalenka Exit a Tragedy

ROLLING OUT — Crucially, Williams did not read the comment as a real farewell. She said she did not believe Sabalenka truly wanted to leave, calling such an outcome a loss for both the player and the sport.
The post Venus Williams Calls a Sabalenka Exit a Tragedy appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

3 days ago

June 7, 2026

Oakland Post

The seven-time major champion read frustration, not a real goodbye, in the world No. 1’s words

By David Kesiena | Rolling Out

When the world’s top-ranked player said she wanted to walk away from the sport, Venus Williams chose empathy over alarm.

Aryna Sabalenka’s blunt remark after her French Open quarterfinal collapse rattled plenty of fans, but Williams heard something different in it. The seven-time Grand Slam champion treated the comment as the raw reaction of a hurting athlete rather than a serious signal about her future.

The collapse that triggered the comment

Sabalenka looked headed for a routine win over Diana Shnaider. She took the opening set 6-3 and built a commanding lead in the second, climbing to 4-1 and later serving for the match at 5-4 while sitting just two points from victory.

Then everything unraveled. Shnaider stormed back to steal the second set 7-5 and bageled the world No. 1 in the third, with Sabalenka dropping 12 of the final 13 games in gusty conditions that reached around 26 mph. The 3-6, 7-5, 6-0 result sent Shnaider into her first Grand Slam semifinal and extended Sabalenka’s long wait for a maiden Roland Garros title.

In the aftermath, Sabalenka did not soften her feelings. She told reporters she had no thoughts and no emotions left and felt like quitting on the spot. She described being stuck in a deep, dark mental hole during the match, unable to find her way back.

What Venus Williams said about Sabalenka

Williams reacted with understanding. She admitted the moment made her sad and said she had been swept up in Sabalenka’s emotions, feeling a surge of empathy for her. She praised the Belarusian for laying everything bare on court, where every feeling shows.

Crucially, Williams did not read the comment as a real farewell. She said she did not believe Sabalenka truly wanted to leave, calling such an outcome a loss for both the player and the sport. Rather than scold her, Williams offered a gentle observation about the rhythm of professional tennis. She suggested players might benefit from a little more time to gather themselves before stepping in front of the cameras, a quiet acknowledgment that athletes are routinely asked to dissect painful defeats before the sting has faded.

Sabalenka walks it back

The story did not end on that bleak note. Within days, Sabalenka signaled she was not actually quitting, framing the press-conference outburst as heat-of-the-moment honesty rather than a plan. At the time of the loss she had also left the door open, saying she would see how she felt in a few days and hoped to get back on track mentally. The walk-back lined up with how Williams had read the situation from the start.

It is not the first time a Paris quarterfinal has pushed Sabalenka to her limit. In 2024 she exited at the same stage and skipped her press conference entirely because of illness, with the tour later releasing her quotes on her behalf. The pattern underscores how heavily this particular tournament has weighed on her despite deep runs in recent years.

For now, attention shifts to the grass. Wimbledon offers Sabalenka a quick chance to reset, and a strong showing there would turn this French Open meltdown into a footnote rather than a turning point.

Originally published by Rolling Out — https://rollingout.com.

The post Venus Williams Calls a Sabalenka Exit a Tragedy appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

#NNPA BlackPress

COMMENTARY: Using Art, Healing, And Community to Transform Mental Health Dialogue

THE CAROLINIAN — Operating at the intersection of the arts and mental health, Darkness RISING uses music, storytelling, wellness programming, and community engagement to inspire healing while addressing barriers that have historically prevented many Black Americans from accessing mental health support.
The post COMMENTARY: Using Art, Healing, And Community to Transform Mental Health Dialogue appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

3 days ago

June 7, 2026

Oakland Post

By Judaea Ingram | Special to The Carolinian

RALEIGH, N.C. – Music filled the air as families danced through the crowd, children gathered around activity stations, and community members explored wellness resources from local organizations. Black-owned businesses lined the streets while people stopped for chair massages, conversations, and moments of connection inside the wellness suite.

At the center of the event stood a simple but powerful reminder:

“You Matter.”

For Darkness RISING, those words represent far more than a slogan. They reflect the organization’s mission to break the stigma surrounding mental health in the Black community while creating spaces centered on healing, honesty, and hope.

Operating at the intersection of the arts and mental health, Darkness RISING uses music, storytelling, wellness programming, and community engagement to inspire healing while addressing barriers that have historically prevented many Black Americans from accessing mental health support.

The organization hosts a variety of programs and events throughout the year, including block parties, wellness workshops, mixers, kickoff events, community classes, and Darkness RISING: Live — a free annual arts and wellness festival now celebrating its ninth year.

The festival combines entertainment with healing-centered resources, featuring live music, dancing, singing, food trucks, Black vendors, children’s activities, mental health resources, wellness spaces, and opportunities for open conversations about mental health.

While the events may feel celebratory on the surface, organizers say the deeper purpose is creating safe spaces where people can feel comfortable discussing mental health without fear of judgment.

Darkness RISING also provides free nationwide resources, including a Black Mental Health Resource Packet, a Black Mental Health Provider Database, and its “Find Me a Therapist” initiative, which helps connect individuals with culturally competent care.

The organization’s work is rooted in addressing longstanding inequities that continue impacting mental health access within Black communities.

Historically, segregation, redlining, racial discrimination, incarceration, poverty, and unequal healthcare access have contributed to higher rates of behavioral health challenges while simultaneously limiting access to proper treatment and support. Darkness RISING approaches those issues through what organizers describe as a transformative justice lens, focusing on healing rather than punishment and creating equitable wellness opportunities for marginalized communities.

Its REBUILD program specifically supports justice-involved and formerly incarcerated people of color through free therapy and wellness support, while the REBUILD Youth program focuses on young people impacted by Adverse Childhood Experiences, also known as ACEs.

For Rudolph, therapy became life-changing after decades of incarceration and years of rejection after returning home.

“Came home in 2015, started my own computer company, investing in real estate, did the normal thing and got some jobs here and there and was met with rejection after rejection and people telling me I am not a good person,” Rudolph shared. “Even had a rejection in church.”

He said one of the hardest battles became overcoming the mental barriers created during incarceration.

“I got in touch with a couple of friends, and they explained to me how I had to get over the mental hurdles and get rid of the way my prison mindset was in order to survive and become successful,” he said.

Rudolph later moved to North Carolina hoping for a fresh start, but the struggle continued.

“Things were looking bad,” he said. “Could not get a job. The struggle was real.”

Eventually, therapy and support through organizations like Darkness RISING helped begin his healing process. He said working alongside other justice-involved men through therapy gave him the ability to rebuild mentally while finding community with people who understood his experiences.

Stories like Rudolph’s reflect the foundation behind Darkness RISING’s mission: ensuring people feel seen, supported, and worthy of healing regardless of their background or circumstances.

Community members who attend the organization’s events often describe them as emotionally transformative.

Some participants say Darkness RISING encouraged them to seek therapy for the first time, while others say the organization gave them a safe space to openly discuss struggles they previously kept hidden.

“I have been encouraged by the beautiful, generous, brave and open individuals who come together and use their talents to create art, share personal experiences and provide hope to those who may be struggling with mental health,” one participant shared.

By combining art, wellness, education, and community outreach, Darkness RISING continues changing how mental health conversations happen within the Black community.

Not through silence.

But through healing, honesty, connection, and joy.

Originally published by The Carolinian — https://caro.news.

The post COMMENTARY: Using Art, Healing, And Community to Transform Mental Health Dialogue appeared first on BlackPressUSA.