For generations, federal employment has been more than just a job for Black Americans — it’s been a lifeline. From the post–World War II era through the civil rights movement, working for the government meant having a “good job,” as well as access to a stable income, job security, healthcare, pensions, and a path to the middle-class. At a time when the private sector would routinely shut out Black professionals, federal jobs offered a real chance to build wealth across generations.
Fast-forward to today, and the economic landscape is shifting under our feet. New technologies, gig platforms, and digital currencies are redefining what wealth and opportunity look like. Enter Dogecoin — a meme-based cryptocurrency that started as a joke but quickly turned into a real investment vehicle.
The question facing many Black Americans today is this: Should we continue to invest in traditional pathways like federal employment, or is it time to seriously explore digital innovations that promise quicker paths to economic mobility?
Let’s take it back: During the 1960s and 1970s, President Lyndon B. Johnson’s Great Society programs and affirmative action policies helped open the federal workforce to Black Americans in unprecedented ways. Agencies like the U.S. Postal Service, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Social Security Administration became anchors for Black middle-class life.
In the 70s, I watched my grandparents live off their retirement and social security checks. Although, they didn’t establish a lot of generational wealth, they were able to own a home, have zero debt, and live comfortably.
By 2009, Black people made up nearly 18 percent of the federal workforce — far higher than their share of the private sector. Like my grandparents, many of these jobs paid enough to buy homes, send kids to college, and retire with some dignity. It’s not an exaggeration to say that federal employment became a cornerstone of economic progress in Black communities.
But while that legacy remains powerful, it’s now being tested.
Today’s federal jobs don’t always carry the same security or prestige. Budget cuts, political instability, and constant hiring freezes have made the path less predictable. In the meantime, the cost of living — especially in cities where many federal jobs are concentrated — has skyrocketed. The government salaries don’t stretch as far in 2025 as they did in 1995.
At the same time, young Black professionals are looking around and discovering new ways to earn money: YouTube channels, TikTok side hustles, online investing, and yes — cryptocurrency.
What is DOGE? The Department of Government Efficiency: an initiative by the second Trump administration tasked with cutting federal spending. Yes, you read that right — cutting federal spending. It came about from discussions between Donald Trump and Elon Musk, and was established by an executive order on January 20, 2025. Dogecoin started as a joke but gained real-life traction thanks to social media and shoot-outs from Elon Musk. What was once a joke coin turned into a digital asset with real market value. The result is that people made real money. A lot of it, to be exact.
If you don’t know much about cryptocurrency, it’s okay. Crypto is appealing for a few reasons. It’s decentralized, meaning it doesn’t rely on traditional banks or institutions — many of which have historically excluded or exploited Black communities anyway. It offers a sense of ownership and control, and the barriers to entry can be low. You don’t need a college degree or government clearance to buy Bitcoin. With this though, prices are volatile. Regulation is inconsistent. Scams are rampant. I believe, more importantly, cryptocurrency is part of a broader shift in how wealth is created. Not everyone gets rich.
Still, federal employment still offers a steady route for those seeking security, benefits, and structure. It’s not going away, and for many, it remains the most accessible way to achieve economic stability — especially in places where tech opportunities are limited.
But it’s also time to acknowledge that the economy is diversifying, and so should our strategies as Black people. We have been excluded from wealth-building tools like home ownership, stock investing, and high-paying private-sector careers. In my opinion, ignoring the digital economy means missing out on a new chapter in financial growth. We can’t afford to let that happen.
The challenge lies in balance. It’s not either federal jobs or crypto. It can be both. For example, a young Black professional might work for the Department of Transportation by day and invest in crypto or learn to code by night. A postal worker might use their steady paycheck to start a side hustle on Shopify. A retired veteran might teach their grandkids about Bitcoin wallets and blockchain tech.
The key is access to knowledge, mentorship, and tools. Schools, churches, and community organizations can play a huge role in providing access to and explaining the digital economy. We need fewer get-rich-quick schemes and more build-smart-and-steady plans.
Economic mobility has never been one-size-fits-all. What worked for my grandparents in the ’70s won’t work in 2030. But the goal remains the same: security, dignity, and generational wealth. For Black people navigating these choices, the real question is: How do we equip ourselves — and the next generation — to thrive?
Because whether it’s a government pension or a crypto wallet, the dream remains the same: ownership, opportunity, and freedom.
