Stress Less: Empowering Black Women and Communities of Color Utilizing Guaranteed Income Programs
Stress is a universal experience, touching every aspect of our lives. Whether it’s the daily pressures of parenting, the unique challenges faced by mothers, or the pervasive tensions experienced by Black and other people of color, the impact of stress is profound and far-reaching. As a society, we find ourselves overworked, overwrought, and racially divided. As a Black mother with limited resources living in California, where costs are as high as $1200 a month for childcare, I journeyed through an arduous and stressful search to find the right daycare for my child, while balancing being a full time working mom. This blog is a search—through the literature and through talking to an expert—to think about a broader solution for Black women (and others) faced with similar stresses, and how we as a community/country can think outside the box to give support.
I vividly remember the intense anxiety I felt as a working mom, particularly when it came to selecting the right daycare for my infant son. The search for a facility that was safe, licensed, staffed by experienced caregivers, and affordable was overwhelming. This struggle isn’t unique to me. I’ve shared space and conversations with many mothers who face similar challenges transitioning back to work due to childcare issues and income volatility. The stress of finding reliable childcare that doesn’t break the bank—costing as much as $1,200 per month here in California—is a significant burden, both mentally and financially.
For Black mothers like myself, there’s an additional layer of stress. As we watch our children grow and navigate the world as young Black men, women, or gender non-conforming individuals, the anxiety multiplies. The fear for their safety, well-being, and the need to equip them to face a society that often judges them unfairly adds two, threefold to our worries. These compounded stresses shape our daily lives and our decisions, making the journey of motherhood uniquely challenging and profoundly impactful.
What if some of this economic-related stress could be alleviated with the implementation of guaranteed income programs? As the Economic Security Project definition offers, “Guaranteed income is a regular, unconditional cash payment given directly to individuals with no strings attached. The goal is to provide recipients with a stable income floor to help them weather financial instability and invest in their future.”
Communities Under Stress
A Handbook for the Study of Mental Health offers a definition of stress as a biological state of the body caused by a generalized physiological alert in response to threat. Another study further adds that stress is both a physical and psychological response to one’s environment, both acute and chronic in nature. Stress causes a wide range of bodily responses, including hormonal, neurological, inflammatory, and/or cardiovascular changes. The experience of stress and its impact operate very differently from person to person. This is in part because of individual differences in psychological and physiological make-up.
The impact of stress goes well beyond an acute psychological experience. Recent studies looking at the impact of stress over the lifespan have found that higher cumulative stress exposure by middle age was associated with lower executive function. Modest but significant Black-white differences in executive function and episodic memory were associated with cumulative stress exposures.
Communities of color across the U.S. are grappling with numerous health challenges, many of which are linked to chronic stress. According to a recent article by the National Institutes of Health, researchers found that individuals are more likely to develop hypertension when they experience adverse economic and social conditions, known as social determinants of health. This risk is significantly higher among Black American adults compared to their white counterparts.
Researcher and author Dr. Brené Brown shares in her book Atlas of the Heart that “we feel stressed when we evaluate environmental demand as beyond our ability to cope successfully. This includes elements of unpredictability, uncontrollability, and feeling overloaded.”
Dr. William A. Smith from the University of Utah coined the term “racial battle fatigue” to describe the psychosocial stress experienced by racially oppressed individuals in society, particularly on historically White campuses. Although this research focused on college students, it lays the foundation for understanding similar stressors in broader contexts.
Navigating Stress: A Conversation with Dr. Karen Emmons
Reflecting on my own journey as a Black working mother, the intense anxiety of balancing work and family life is a constant companion. To delve deeper into these issues, I had the privilege of speaking with Dr. Karen Emmons, a Harvard professor of Social and Behavioral Science who specializes in community-based approaches to cancer prevention in historically marginalized populations. Dr. Emmons was also recently appointed by President Biden to the National Cancer Advisory Board. Her program of research focused on community-engaged approaches to health equity makes her uniquely positioned to discuss the impacts of stress on communities of color and the resources available to combat these challenges.
Kim Tabari (KT): Dr. Emmons, what does the research tell us about the impacts of acute and chronic stress on communities of color?
Dr. Emmons: Research consistently shows that acute and chronic stress have profound impacts on communities of color. Acute stress, such as the immediate worry about finding childcare or dealing with a sudden financial setback, can trigger a range of physical and emotional responses. Chronic stress, on the other hand, stems from persistent issues like systemic racism, economic instability, and ongoing health disparities. These stressors accumulate over time and can lead to serious health problems, including hypertension, heart disease, and mental health disorders. The association of chronic stress with inflammatory processes also increases risk for a range of diseases, including cancer. The constant vigilance and emotional labor required to navigate a society that often marginalizes people of color add layers of stress that many others do not experience.
KT: How do these stressors particularly affect Black mothers?
Dr. Emmons: Black mothers face a unique set of stressors that impact both their physical and mental health. The dual responsibility of caring for their children and shielding them from a world that may not be kind or fair to them creates an environment of perpetual stress. This is compounded by economic pressures, such as the high cost of childcare and potential job instability often faced by parents who take paternal leave, but can be compounded for black women by the systemic racism that increases chances of their working in less supporting environments. The chronic nature of these stressors can lead to increased rates of anxiety, depression, and other stress-related health conditions. Furthermore, the stress experienced by Black mothers often affects their children, creating a cycle of stress that can impact multiple generations.
KT: What resources or strategies can individuals and communities use to respond to these acute and chronic stressors?
Dr. Emmons: There are several strategies that individuals and communities can use to mitigate the effects of stress. On an individual level, practices like mindfulness, meditation, and regular physical activity can help manage stress. Seeking support from mental health professionals, though sometimes stigmatized, is crucial for long-term well-being. But this is much bigger than an individual issue. It will take addressing systemic factors that disadvantage people of color and low-income groups. One example of a more systemic approach is guaranteed basic income (defined earlier as “a regular, unconditional cash payment given directly to individuals with no strings attached, to provide a stable income floor). I suspect that these programs will be effective at counteracting stress because the burden of financial stress can be reduced.
KT: Can you elaborate on the role of community-based approaches in addressing these issues?
Dr. Emmons: Community-based approaches are vital because they recognize the unique needs and strengths of each community. By involving community members in the planning and implementation of interventions, these approaches ensure that solutions are culturally relevant and directly address the specific challenges faced by the community. Community organizations that provide resources such as affordable childcare, financial counseling, and health services can alleviate some of the burdens. Policies that address systemic inequalities, improve access to quality healthcare, and support economic stability are also essential. For example, community health workers can provide culturally sensitive health education and support, while local organizations can advocate for policy changes that benefit the community. These approaches empower individuals, foster a sense of ownership, and can lead to more enduring positive changes. But ultimately, it is critical that we begin to address economic equity, if we truly want to impact health equity.
In our conversation, Dr. Emmons highlighted the importance of both individual and community-level strategies in managing stress. For Black mothers, and indeed all parents in marginalized communities, these insights are invaluable. As we continue to navigate the complexities of parenthood and societal pressures, it is crucial to leverage available resources, build supportive networks, and advocate for systemic changes (including guaranteed income programs) that promote equity and well-being.
Intervening Beyond the Individual
To combat these disparities, we must address the root causes of stress and health inequities. We know some of the mainstream offerings like therapy, restorative justice circles, yoga, mediation, and ethnic-group specific support. However, let’s consider an expansive way of looking at interventions, specifically around guaranteed income programs. In her 2024 book The Guarantee, Natalie Foster, president and co-founder of the Economic Security Project, goes deep into her analysis of how guaranteed income programs across the country have helped individuals and aided in stress reduction.
The idea of guaranteed income comes from Dr. Martin Luther King, written in 1967 in his book Where Do We Go From Here? He shared a revolutionary call for change in his work and demanded: “the solution to poverty is to abolish it directly by a now widely discussed measure: the guaranteed income.” Dr. King’s dream was for both economic and racial justice relief for Black and poor folks. However, he was keenly aware that capitalism left many Black and poor folks behind. The Black vs. White wealth gap has grown tremendously since Dr. King proposed this idea:the mean of Black household wealth in the US today is $138,200 compared to the mean of White households at $933,700.
Dr. King knew that the answer to closing these gaps would be found in Guaranteed Income programs for many generations and posited that: “a host of positive psychological changes inevitably will result from widespread economic security.” Dr. King further shared in his 1967 speech in Atlanta, Where Do We Go From Here, that “the dignity of the individual will flourish when the decisions concerning his life are in his own hands, when he has the assurance that his income is stable and certain, and when he knows that he has the means to seek self-improvement.”
Today, 57 years later, there are over 100 pilot programs nationwide offering families guaranteed income opportunities including Connecticut, Philadelphia, Denver, Minneapolis, Chicago, New Mexico, Texas, and more. The first two programs were started in Jackson, Mississippi and Stockton, California.
Dr. Aisha Nyandoro launched the Magnolia Mother’s Trust (MMT) in 2018 in Jackson, Mississippi. MMT provided 230 low-income, Black mothers in Jackson $1,000 each month for 12 months. Additionally, each child of a mother in the program received a $1,000 deposit in a 529 savings account for education benefits. Moms reported feeling more confident in their parenting, more joy and positivity in their children, lower mental health and stress, and more.
Similarly in 2019, the former Mayor of Stockton Michael Tubbs led the Stockton Economic Empowerment Demonstration (SEED). This program gave 131 randomly selected residents $500 a month for 24 months, and compared their outcomes to 200 residents who did not receive these funds. Participants in the intervention group reported that the funds helped ‘to reduce money/income volatility in their households, created opportunities for self-determination, improved their health, lessened anxiety and depression.”
Pilot guaranteed basic income programs like these are now popping up across the country. Launched in 2021, Camp Harbor View (CHV) is one of several guaranteed income pilots being conducted in the metro Boston area. CHV selects families to receive $583 a month for 2 years. Findings to date are positive and similar to other states, decrease in psychological stress, and increase in asset building allowing some families to purchase a home.
Even in my own city of Long Beach, California is now in its 2nd year of the LB Pledge Guarantee Income Program, which offers residents $500 a month for 12 months. Currently, participation is limited to residents living in five specific zip codes most impacted by Covid-19, and a key issue at this point is sustaining and spreading these approaches.
Making Dr. King’s Dream a Reality
Despite the positive impacts of guaranteed income programs, which provide direct assistance and may help alleviate health disparities, several states like South Dakota, Idaho, and Iowa are seeking to ban these programs from using public funds. It is critical that we advocate for these programs. For example, former Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs advocates for these initiatives, stating that “these programs embody the core of American values of liberty and efficiency,” and I completely agree. We live in a democratic nation where inequalities based on race, gender, age, nativity, ability, and income persist. How can we level the playing field and plan for a future that ensures young people are set up for success? What values do you hold that help bridge gaps, uplift your community, and create spaces of belonging?
In the ongoing dialogue about guaranteed income programs, one significant critique that frequently arises is the need for evidence-based outcomes to measure their success. This critique often stems from a perspective deeply rooted in white-dominant culture. It tends to prioritize quantitative data and traditional metrics over more nuanced, qualitative measures of success. Traditionally, evidence-based outcomes focus on metrics such as employment rates, income levels, and economic productivity—which are important. However, they do not capture the full picture of how guaranteed income programs impact individuals and communities. We must ask ourselves: are these metrics sufficient to understand the true value of financial support initiatives?
Consider the transformative power of guaranteed income from a different perspective. There are layers of complexity and richness that define human experience. An evidence-based approach should encompass qualitative insights that reflect the lived experiences of those benefiting from the programs. This means engaging with recipients directly, listening to their stories, and valuing their perspectives. What if we measured success by capturing levels of joy, self-determination, accessibility, and financial autonomy? These dimensions, often overlooked in traditional evaluations, are crucial to understanding the holistic impact of guaranteed income programs.
Financial stability is not just about meeting basic needs; it’s about providing individuals the freedom to pursue their passions, spend time with loved ones, and make choices that align with their values. Furthermore, we must recognize that the traditional approach to gathering data and seeking evidence-based outcomes often reflects the biases of a white-dominant culture. This perspective can inadvertently marginalize the voices and experiences of those from different cultural backgrounds. To truly measure the success of guaranteed income programs, we need to adopt a more inclusive and culturally sensitive approach. Only then can we truly measure the success of guaranteed income programs in a way that reflects their profound and multifaceted benefits.
Finally, census data predicts that people are living longer today than 50 years ago and the needs of families vary. Can we build an intersectional movement that includes guaranteed income as part of its platform? By implementing Guaranteed Income Programs, we can practice mutuality and create a more equitable society.
Let us continue to live into the dreams of Dr. King for “widespread economic relief” for Black people, especially Black mothers who are the most economically impacted. Let us center joy and healing in our communities and insist that this is the true goal of social policies like guaranteed income. And let us commit to supporting each other, celebrating our victories, and working together towards a future where everyone has an opportunity to thrive.
© 2024. This work is licensed under a CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 license.
About the author:
Dr. Kim Tabari has a passion for social justice and education. She holds a doctorate degree in Educational Leadership and has worked at a variety of institutions both public and private. Born in Guyana, South America, Kim has the lived experience of an immigrant who later became a U.S. citizen.
A member of the Executive Management Team at USC Equity Research Institute (ERI), Kim believes in the importance of maintaining relationships to bring about healing and transformation, especially during times of conflict. She leads the organizational development and racial justice work at ERI, works with external partners and faculty affiliates, and manages the ERI advisory committee. Prior to joining ERI, she facilitated conversations on racial, social, and healing justice topic areas. She is a trained facilitator working with both high school and college students in the past, and currently work with diverse stakeholders at USC and beyond. Kim facilitated a successful USC Visions & Voices conversation with Daughters of the Movement in the middle of the pandemic and nation-wide racial justice uprisings.
Kim’s most important role is being a mom to an amazing young man, recent high school graduate on his way to college in Fall 2024. She is also very active in her local community, working primarily with the Long Beach Unified School District to improve academic challenges of Black and other marginalized students, as well as expanding safety practices for the district.
Kim embodies healing justice and is a certified yoga instructor, facilitating over 50 online classes to her community on zoom during the 2021 pandemic year. She also has a regular Tai Chi practice, and other self-care modalities.