Is The Newest ‘Black Job’ The US Presidency? It May Just Be.

With America’s 250th birthday approaching in 2026, I would like to believe our country has evolved to the point that we can finally fulfill the promise of what was declared in 1776: that all people are equal and fairly treated in the eyes of the law.

America, as a nation, has always had an issue with race. From slavery to racial segregation, Native American reservations, and Japanese internment camps, race has been front and center and top of mind when it comes to legislative language, civil rights, basic freedoms, and access to opportunities in the United States of America.

America’s strength is its diversity—but its power lies in who is granted the opportunities. And while the access may be available to all, a genuine chance to lead is not.

This year, at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, former First Lady and New York Times bestselling author Michelle Obama gave a speech that electrified those in attendance. While she was addressing the crowd, as well as the nearly 22 million viewers at home, she said one thing in particular that struck a cord. She mentioned the term “Black jobs”—referring to a phrase that went viral this July, after it was used during a presidential debate between President Joseph P. Biden and former President Donald J. Trump.

“They’re taking Black jobs,” Trump said, referring to people who illegally entered the country. Based on the context, “Black jobs” was framed as a derogatory term and an offense to many Americans, especially particular Black Americans—including me.

I did a little digging to try to decipher the intended context and origin. Historically, the term “Black job” had a negative connotation, implying hard labor and “unskilled” roles that weren’t intellectual in nature. During World War II, they were often referred to as “pick-and-shovel” jobs, because most Blacks at that time were relegated to the unskilled, low-status positions.

After the debate, Black social media users flipped the term on its head, asking “What exactly are Black jobs?” and proudly sharing their careers and what they do for a living.

Enter Michelle Obama, who clapped back at Black jobs in a completely different context, speaking indirectly to the 45th president by saying:

“His [Trump’s] limited, narrow view of the world made him feel threatened by the existence of two hard-working, highly educated, successful people—who happen to be Black. I want to know: Who’s going to tell him that the job he’s currently seeking might just be one of those ‘Black jobs?’”

She took ownership of that term, causing me to smile ear to ear. Partly from joy, partly from shock. Is the presidency a “Black job?” Depends on how you look at it.

There have been 46 US presidents to date, and if Kamala wins, that would be two Black presidents out of 47, which is 4.2% of all US presidents. But in the 21st century, if two of the four presidents who hold office are Black—accounting for three of the six elections—that would put the position at 50%, which certainly qualifies as a Black job!

In comparison, state governors haven’t fared as well. Since the US was formed, 2,129 governors have served. Statistically, 0.0002% is likely not enough to qualify as a Black job.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Black Americans do make up the largest share of workers in certain occupations in four industries: postal, transit, security, and healthcare.

Over 40% of US Postal Service sorters, processors/operators, and clerks are Black, making this the highest Black percentage of any occupation tracked, followed by 36% of both transit/city bus drivers and nursing assistants, and 34% of security guards and surveillance gambling officers.

Outside of the labor bureau the stats in sports and entertainment are telling as well.

Over 29% of lead actors are Black—double the percentage of the 14.4 % population of Black Americans today.

In sports, over 50% of NFL players are Black, and over 70% of NBA players are Black—the highest of any North American professional sport.

Famously, Simone Biles posted “I love my black job” on X after winning the all-around Paris Olympics gymnastics finals, and taking home her ninth gold medal.

If Black Americans are elected presidents, then surely Black Americans are CEOs of Fortune 500 companies, right?

On the positive side, as of June 2023, there are eight Black CEOs leading Fortune 500 companies, which is the highest number since the list debuted in 1955.

On the other hand, this represents only 1.6% of the Fortune 500, much lower than the 14.4% of the Black American population.

It’s estimated that 50,000,000 people in the US identified as Black, accounting for the second-largest multicultural population after Hispanics/Latinos. And of that population, 7% (3.7 million), own businesses, making up 11.3% of all US businesses.

So when you think of ‘‘Black jobs” today and in the future, it’s important to start at the top, proclaiming and reclaiming all the incredible places and positions that Black Americans have excelled so far in our country’s history—and to get excited for the next generation of incredible American’s that will look back at 2024 as the moment “Black Jobs” became as common in the White House – as they one day will be in any other facet of American life.