Labor Day is more than a long weekend. The holiday honors the contributions of workers and the legacy of the American labor movement, while also offering a moment to reflect on the challenges and opportunities facing today’s workforce — particularly in California’s diverse communities.

As the world’s 4th largest economy, California is home to 4.2 million small businesses, and nearly 290,000 of those are Black or African American-owned businesses. These minority-owned small businesses play a vital role in local economies and community growth.

Small businesses in the Golden State employ 7 million people. However, in recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Current Population Survey, the California unemployment rate for Black and African Americans is 10.7% (June 2025) – significantly hi

See Full Page