The Thinkubator

04/27/2026

We often talk about entrepreneurship like it is this exciting opportunity, something people choose because they want to build or create.

But for a lot of people, especially right now, it is not just a choice. It is a response.

The data from 2025 shows that Black women experienced some of the sharpest increases in unemployment and economic disruption. For many, the traditional job market did not just slow down, it stopped working in the way it was supposed to.

And when that happens, people do what they have always done. They figure it out. They build something. They try to create their own path forward, even when the odds are not in their favor.

That is what makes this new piece from Desiree Lovely Lee and The Cadence Institute for Policy & Society so important. It is not just about the numbers. It is about what those numbers actually mean for people’s lives and the choices they are being forced to make.

One of the biggest tensions in the piece is this: we are seeing more people, especially Black women, turning to entrepreneurship, but we are not seeing the same access to capital, funding, or opportunity to support them.

So in many ways, we are asking people to build without giving them the tools they need to succeed.

That is not just an economic issue. That is a systems issue.

If you care about economic opportunity, entrepreneurship, or just understanding what is really happening in this moment, this is worth taking a few minutes to read.

👉 https://cadenceinstitute.org/policy-blogs/f/opinion-piece-the-economic-state-of-black-women-in-2025

04/26/2026

The data from 2025 tells a story that many in our communities already know.

Black women were among the hardest hit in the economy. Higher unemployment. Persistent wage gaps. Limited access to capital and opportunity.

But this is not just about numbers. It is about structure. It is about who the system works for and who it leaves behind.

At The Thinkubator, we believe in turning insight into action.

That means not only pushing for better policy, but also building power within our communities. Supporting local entrepreneurs. Investing in each other. Creating pathways for people to move from ideas to ownership.

Because even in the face of these challenges, we see something powerful.

We see people building.
We see people creating.
We see people refusing to wait for opportunity and instead working to create it.

This latest piece from the Cadence Institute breaks it down and challenges all of us to think about what comes next.

👉 https://cadenceinstitute.org/policy-blogs/f/opinion-piece-the-economic-state-of-black-women-in-2025

Let’s not just read the data. Let’s respond to it.

The Economic State of Black Women in 2025: Data, Disruption, and the Path Forward

03/03/2026

Across communities, families are navigating rising housing costs that have outpaced income growth, even after accounting for inflation.

When real housing costs rise faster than real wages, stability becomes fragile. The result is not just higher rent or mortgage payments. It is delayed homeownership, increased cost burden, and heightened vulnerability to economic shocks.

Our newest brief examines what happened between 2020 and 2025 and what it means for communities across the country.

Housing should be foundational. The data shows it is becoming conditional.

Read the full report at www.cadenceinstitute.org

03/01/2026

03/01/2026

At The Thinkubator, we believe community empowerment requires more than opportunity — it requires understanding.

That’s why we are proud to highlight the work of The Cadence Institute for Policy & Society, our research and policy initiative focused on economic mobility, governance, education, and democratic institutions.

Strong communities require strong evidence.

Watch the video to learn how Cadence is advancing data-driven research that helps communities shape better policy and build more equitable futures.

Visit www.cadenceinstitute.org

https://youtube.com/shorts/nOR0-6bMTrY

02/12/2026

The Cadence Institute for Policy & Society takes a deeper look at women’s unemployment by race over the past decade.

In 2025, rising unemployment among Black women received well deserved attention across media and policy circles. Rather than reacting to a single moment, Cadence Institute wanted to understand whether what we were seeing was new or part of a longer pattern. Looking at a decade of data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the answer was clear. These disparities are persistent, structural, and too often hidden by headline job numbers.

This work was informed by conversations with Desiree Lovely Lee Desiree Lovely Lee, CEO of Fuel By Desi, and reflects a shared interest in how economic systems actually function for women and communities of color. The analysis also raises questions about entrepreneurship, emerging forms of work, and the largely unmeasured creator economy, where visibility does not always translate into economic security.

If we want a more honest conversation about the economy, we have to look beyond surface level indicators and grapple with who benefits, who bears risk, and why.

Read more here: https://cadenceinstitute.org/policy-blogs/f/unemployment-trends-among-women-2015-2025

In 2025, a growing number of journalists, economists, and policy advocates began calling attention to a troubling trend that headline economic indicators often fail to capture. Despite relatively low overall unemployment...

04/21/2025

🚨 New Policy Brief Alert
The Think Tank at The Thinkubator has released a critical new report:

📘 Counteracting Institutional Discrimination: Evaluating the Trump Administration’s LGBTQ+ Policies and their Impact on Transgender Athletes

This in-depth policy brief analyzes how recent federal actions have targeted transgender youth, limiting their access to sports, healthcare, and legal recognition. Drawing on legal scholarship, public health research, and youth voice, the brief outlines a roadmap to restore civil rights, build inclusive coalitions, and reverse systemic harm.

🧠 Featuring research and insights from Youth Policy Scholar Tah Jay Gonzalez, and a foreword from Desiree Herrington, CEO and Board Chair of The Thinkubator.

💡 Key Takeaways:
• Legal and psychological consequences of Executive Orders 14168 & 14201
• Empirical data on mental health and education disparities
• Bold, evidence-based policy recommendations for federal, state, and local action

📥 Download the full brief here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1g8fEBcb-2SInNt20_2ErNZWskMWYyqfD/view

📣 Join the conversation. Share. Act. Protect our youth.

04/18/2025

JUST RELEASED: POLICY BRIEF
The Think Tank at has published a powerful new report:
“Disinvestment in Equity: The Disproportionate Impact of 2025 Federal Budget Cuts on Communities of Color.”

From the Bronx to Watts, the Trump administration’s DOGE cuts dismantled vital programs in education, healthcare, and environmental justice—deepening structural inequity.

States must step up. Communities are at risk.

Read the full policy brief:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NPhjluCDbRA_oPnN9-JnQHvAjzcig20y/view?usp=drivesdk

09/19/2024

Though Constitution Day has passed, it's always timely to reflect on the importance of the document that has shaped our nation's identity and guided our democracy for over two centuries. The U.S. Constitution, a living document, represents the very framework upon which our democracy rests and the unalienable rights we hold dear.

In a world where the pillars of democracy are often tested, it's crucial to recognize the enduring strength of the Constitution. It establishes the fundamental principles of governance while providing protections for individual liberties that must be respected and upheld in all circumstances. The beauty of this document lies in its balance—its capacity to adapt through amendments and interpretations while preserving the core values of justice, equality, and liberty.

The Constitution is not just a historical artifact; it is a powerful testament to the foresight of our founders, who understood the necessity of creating a system that could evolve with the changing needs of the people. At the heart of it are the unalienable rights—life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness—that serve as the bedrock of our shared national experience. These rights are not just theoretical but are meant to be respected and protected in practice, ensuring the well-being and freedom of every citizen.

Yet, in recent years, our political climate has become increasingly divisive and polarized. Decisions like the overturning of Roe v. Wade and the expansion of presidential powers reflect deep tensions within our system. The Supreme Court's actions have, in many cases, disregarded the rights and liberties the Constitution was designed to protect, especially concerning women's rights. These challenges highlight the fragility of our constitutional democracy and the necessity of vigilance in safeguarding the rights enshrined within it.

As we continue to face new challenges to our democratic ideals, it's vital that we return to the principles laid out in the Constitution—promoting dialogue, upholding the rule of law, and protecting the rights of all individuals. Our ability to honor and sustain the Constitution speaks not only to the strength of our political institutions but also to our collective commitment to democracy, justice, and equality.

At this critical juncture, it’s vital to restore our faith and belief in the Constitution. This begins with the power of our voices—through civic engagement and voting, we can restore the integrity and principles that our Constitution upholds. The future of our democracy depends on our collective action to ensure that the Constitution continues to serve as a beacon of liberty and justice for all.

As we reflect, I encourage reflection on the U.S. Constitution’s relevance today and the ongoing responsibility we all share in safeguarding the rights and freedoms it enshrines for now and future generations.