The labor of wealth: A phenomenological study of black women’s experiences with wealth accumulation and its implications for health

OBJECTIVE: Black women consistently exhibit some of the highest labor force participation rates in the United States, yet they are among the least wealthy group across race and gender which carries a disparity with profound implications for both economic and health outcomes. DESIGN: This phenomenological study employed semi structured interviews with 13 Black women as heads of households. Collin's Black Feminist Theory provides the framework for this study, underscoring race and gender within the context of labor as an essential factor in the wealth accumulation process and health outcomes. RESULTS: , actions taken to maintain dignity and self-worth in the face of systemic oppression, emerged as a new form of labor. CONCLUSION: The study makes visible Black women's labor beyond the U.S. traditional economic metrics. Recommendations for social policy and public health interventions central to wealth accumulation and health outcomes are offered.