On Labor Day, the Headlines Tell Us This is No Time to Rest
The headlines come at us daily. Just this morning, on Labor Day 2025, one article laments the state of education in America: “As the School Year Begins, Black Acceptance Rates at Many Colleges Decline Dramatically.” Yesterday, another story examined soaring unemployment rates: “Black Women Lose 300,000 Federal Jobs in Three Months.”
Two days ago the topic was Black history. “Smithsonian Leader Meets at White House for ‘Cordial’ Lunch,’ said the Art Newspaper. The underlying topic was a desire to audit federal museums to rewrite inconvenient, uncomfortable narratives.
At the Potomac Community Foundation, we get upset. But we also get busy . . . mobilizing ways both big and small that we can help.
Meanwhile:
CIVIL RIGHTS — Enforcement has been decimated due to vast reductions in staff in departments overseeing fair employment, housing, and education, such as the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights. Rules and guidance meant to address discrimination have been eliminated.
DEI — All federal diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs are now prohibited, along with related training and hiring practices.
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT — Actions like the elimination of the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) and tariffs disproportionately harm Black- and minority-owned businesses.
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE — Elimination of EPA offices and grants drains programs dedicated to addressing pollution in disadvantaged communities.
HEALTHCARE — Equity panels are wiped out, along with funding for research focused on racial and ethnic disparities in health outcomes. Proposals to cut Medicaid would end premium subsidies for Affordable Care Act (ACA) coverage and disproportionately harm Black and brown individuals, who are more likely to be uninsured.
At PCF, we won’t be able to fix all of these things. And we’re a 501(c)(3), therefore not allowed to have an official political opinion. But our education programs can, and will, target marginalized Black students. Our efforts in workforce will focus on employment, better opportunities, for Black adults. Our partnerships in history legacy preservation will have a clear aim: to tell the unvarnished truth of how our nation was formed, and how it still functions.
We hope you will join us.