In September, Nneka Obiekwe established a WhatsApp group chat aimed at assisting friends who were experiencing job loss. As a consultant and skilled networker, Ms. Obiekwe frequently received requests for job referrals, but the volume of these requests surged since March, indicating a growing need for community support among her peers. Recognizing that many of those reaching out were Black women, she founded the group named Black Women Rising.

The initiative quickly gained traction, with over 500 members joining within 24 hours after Ms. Obiekwe shared the link on the social media platform Threads. The majority of participants were midcareer or senior professionals who had recently faced layoffs. To effectively manage the high volume of messages, the group transitioned to Discord, a platform that facilitates organized communication across various channels.

Members of Black Women Rising utilize the platform to share job updates, personal experiences, and emotional support, with channels dedicated to topics such as “Share Your Good News” and “Vent Among Friends.” This initiative underscores the significance of community and mutual support in addressing the challenges of the job market, particularly for Black women who encounter systemic barriers in employment.