Are you preparing for a potential layoff? Or have you just survived a layoff and dealing with the aftermath? Or are you currently riding the wave of this layoff season, trying to remain encouraged as you wait for (or create!) your next opportunity? If so, you are not alone. In 2025, Black Women are experiencing a disproportionate rise in unemployment, but somehow have to find a way forward and to remain encouraged. Join us in this episode for an intentional conversation on navigating layoffs from a mental health, human resources, and career strategy lens.

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Show Notes

In this thoughtful discussion, host Alicia Cyrus is joined by esteemed guests April Preston, Carolyn Whiteman, and Kimmoy Matthews. Together they delve into the challenges faced by Black women navigating layoffs in today’s workforce, sharing personal stories and offering practical strategies for overcoming the emotional and professional hurdles of job loss. The conversation explores:

* significant impact of layoffs on Black women in 2025, highlighting the need for strategic resilience & planning in navigating career transitions

* importance of having mental health strategies, including community support & self-care, to cope with the emotional challenges of job loss

* necessity of regularly updating resumes & capturing feedback, providing practical tips for effectively documenting achievements and skills, and leveraging AI tools to identify your gaps

* shift towards contract work, discussing its potential benefits for career flexibility & greater control over professional paths

* strategies for recognizing early signs of layoffs, providing practical tips for preparation, including incorporating AI skills, & building skills presentations to drive attention during interviews

* leveraging job loss as an opportunity for growth and reinvention

This episode is filled with practical advice and encouragement for anyone facing career transitions and is a beacon of hope and empowerment for Black Women affected by layoffs. Tune in to discover how to thrive and bloom where you’re planted, even in the toughest of times.

[00:00:00] Introduction: Alicia Cyrus opens the discussion on the disproportionate impact of layoffs on Black women in 2025, setting the stage for a conversation on resilience and strategy

[00:07:30] April Preston delves into mental health strategies, emphasizing the importance of community support and self-care practices during job loss

[00:16:00] Carolyn Whiteman discusses the necessity of updating resumes every six months, sharing tips on documenting achievements and skills effectively

[00:24:00] Kimmoy Matthews explores the shift towards contract work, highlighting its potential for flexibility and control over career paths

[00:32:30] Panelists discuss identifying early signs of layoffs, such as company restructuring, and setting personal boundaries to manage stress

[00:41:00] Panelists discuss strategies for leveraging professional networks; building connections and using LinkedIn effectively to uncover new job opportunities

[00:49:30] April Preston explains the stages of grief associated with job loss, offering guidance on navigating emotions like anger and denial

[00:58:00] Closing Thoughts: Panelists provide encouragement, emphasizing the importance of viewing layoffs as opportunities for growth and reinvention.

Connect with April Preston on LinkedIn | Instagram | Website

Connect with Carolyn Whiteman on LinkedIn

Connect with Kimmoy Matthews on LinkedIn | Instagram | Website

In this episode Kimmoy also mentions:

* AI Tools for resume improvement & skills-building

* I Will Teach You to be Rich by Ramit Sethi

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Music by Praz Khanal from Pixabay

Produced & Edited by Jay for Podcast Mechanic. Check out his portfolio and schedule a call at bit.ly/PodMechPro

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