We are always astounded at the systemic racism and discrimination that women and minorities face. That comment is not our opinion but one that is fact based and supported by data. The numbers do not lie. Just look at the statistics. Your commitment to spending at minority or women owned businesses will make a difference. Help Black or Latino owned businesses. Help women break the glass ceiling. Assist Asian, LGBTQ, as well as every other minority business gain equality. As the saying goes, money talks.

Remember, when reviewing the statistics below, you need to compare the numbers below to the demographics of the population. In other words, when reviewing the data that highlights the systemic racism and sexism, keep in mind that black people make up about 15% of the population. Women make up about 52% of the population. in addition to that, 17% of the population is Hispanic. Keep those numbers and percentages in mind as you continue reading below. The numbers do not lie.

Corporate and income sexism and racism

1% of S&P 500 CEOs are black Americans. (Remember, ~15% of the population is black). https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/01/business/black-ceos-george-floyd/index.html

6% of S&P 500 CEOs are women. (Remember, ~52% of the population are women). https://www.catalyst.org/research/women-ceos-of-the-sp-500/

2% of Fortune 500 companies are Hispanic. (Remember, ~17% of the population is Hispanic). https://www.diversityinc.com/wheres-the-diversity-in-fortune-500-ceos/

26% of Board Members of S&P 500 companies are women and less than 1% of board members are black Americans. https://www.catalyst.org/research/women-on-corporate-boards/ and https://www.blackenterprise.com/power-in-the-boardroom-corporate-governance/

About 15 to 20% of high level managers are women https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/women/reports/2018/11/20/461273/womens-leadership-gap-2/

The Black and Hispanic Community has about 50% fewer small businesses on a per capita basis than the white population. https://cdn.advocacy.sba.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/31131339/Small-Business-Facts-Spotlight-on-Minority-Owned-Employer-Businesses.pdf

Hispanics make up 4% of executives. https://www.fastcompany.com/90456329/this-is-where-there-are-the-most-hispanic-executives-and-its-not-where-you-think

Women earn 82% of wages as white male workers, with black and Hispanic women earning less than that. Note data does vary as it is challenging to account for positions, time at a job, etc., but almost every stat shows women earn less than men. https://www.businessinsider.com/gender-wage-pay-gap-charts-2017-3#the-gender-wage-gap-varies-widely-depending-on-the-state-1

Systemic racism and sexismPolitical sexism and racism

Over 55 countries have had women presidents or leaders already. Some of those countries have had multiple women leaders over the years. The United States has of course has had zero.  https://www.cnn.com/interactive/2016/06/politics/women-world-leaders/

17% of Republican Senators are women. (Remember, ~52% of the population are women). https://www.senate.gov/senators/ListofWomenSenators.htm

7% of Republican House of Representatives members are women. (Remember, ~52% of the population are women) https://cawp.rutgers.edu/women-us-house-representatives-2020

1% of Republican Senators are black Americans. (Remember, ~15% of the population is black) https://history.house.gov/Exhibitions-and-Publications/BAIC/Historical-Data/Black-American-Representatives-and-Senators-by-Congress/

Since the founding of the US, only about 1% of Congressmen/women have been Black Americans. A total of 162 African Americans have served in Congress.  https://history.house.gov/Institution/Total-Members/Total-Members/ as well as https://www.everycrsreport.com/reports/RL30378.html

.05% of Republican House Members are black Americans. (Remember, ~15% of the population is black) https://history.house.gov/Exhibitions-and-Publications/BAIC/Historical-Data/Black-American-Representatives-and-Senators-by-Congress/

4% of Republican Congress (House and Senate) is Hispanic. (Remember, ~17% of the population is Hispanic) https://history.house.gov/Exhibitions-and-Publications/HAIC/Historical-Data/Hispanic-American-Representatives,-Senators,-Delegates,-and-Resident-Commissioners-by-Congress/

By Jon McNamara