Recap: A Black Women’s Equal Pay Day conversation

Hosted by Equal Rights Advocates and Equal Pay Today, “This is What Democracy Pays Like: A Conversation with Black Women Leaders on the Fight for Equitable Wages, Wealth, and Power Under Hostile Circumstances,” took place on June 21, 2026.

On Black Women’s Equal Pay Day, this webinar brought together a distinguished group of leaders and activists on the frontlines of empowering Black women and their communities at the state and national levels. As Black women fight longstanding and systemic inequities in access to equal wages, wealth, and power, our basic rights are now under heightened attack.

Our panelists discuss the current state of the wage inequity for Black women; key drivers and barriers; and national and state level actions to organize and mobilize our communities to break the status quo and counter federal attacks.

Featuring:

• Congresswoman Alma Adams (NC)
• Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE)
• Melanie Campbell, President & CEO of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation and Convener of the Black Women’s Roundtable
• Cherita Ellens, President and CEO, Women Employed
• Jocelyn Frye, President of National Partnership for Women & Families
• Cassandra Welchlin, Executive Director & Co-Convener of the Mississippi Black Women’s Roundtable
• Seher Khawaja (Moderator), National Economic Justice Director at ERA

Read speaker bios here (scroll down).

Learn more about Black Women’s Equal Pay Day