In 2025, more than 300,000 women—especially Black women—were pushed out of the workforce due to widespread layoffs and government reductions. Many are now navigating the emotional and financial strain of job loss, career transition, and unexpected change. (Source: Know Your Value — NBC/MSNOW)
Our monthly panel series exists to provide hope, strategy, community, and real resources for women rebuilding their lives. While we recognize the unique challenges Black women have faced during this season, our mission is to support all women who are struggling, starting over, or searching for purpose in the midst of change.
Together, we create a space where every woman’s story matters, every voice is honored, and no one has to walk through change alone.
Reference:
“300,000 Black women left the labor force in 3 months — and it’s not a coincidence.”
https://www.ms.now/know-your-value/business-culture/300000-black-women-left-labor-force-3-months-s-not-coincidence-rcna219355
The Virtual Assistant & Administrative Empowerment Network (VAAEN) is honored to host this year-long panel series, supported by our dedicated interns who help manage logistics, communication, and outreach. Our mission is to serve women in transition by offering resources, training, mentorship, and guidance that can help them rebuild with confidence. We welcome any donations that support this effort.
Your contribution helps women access professional development, emotional support, career tools, and life-changing coaching that can truly impact their journey forward.
Must be a direct working link — test it before submitting
Your website must be live and accessible — no 404 pages
Free resource links must go directly to the resource, not a general homepage
Double check your link works in a private browser before submitting
Maximum 255 characters
Write in third person
Focus on your professional background and what you bring to this topic
As a VAAEN panelist, you are asked to share one free resource with our audience that is related to the panel topic. This could be a free download, a checklist, a guide, a free consultation, or any other free offering that would benefit someone going through a career or life transition.
Your resource must:
Be completely free — no paid products or services
Be directly related to the panel topic
Be something that genuinely helps our audience take a next step
Examples: a free resume template, a free 30-minute consultation, a downloadable checklist, a free mini course, a free guide or ebook
Important: Paste the direct link to your resource below. Before submitting, open the link in a private browser window to confirm it works. Broken links will not be included in our materials and may affect your application.
If you do not have a resource, please type N/A
We select up to 7 panelists per session. Selected panelists will be contacted with the next steps.
Professional headshot only — no selfies, group photos, or casual photos
Clean or simple background — no busy backgrounds
High resolution — minimum 1000 x 1000 pixels
File format: JPG or PNG
If your photo does not meet these requirements, use Canva (free at canva.com) to resize and enhance it before uploading