The 2024 presidential election is behind us, and the dust is still settling. In the latest episode of Black. Girl. Iowa., I sat down with two of my closest friends and past podcast guests—Dr. Wanakee Carr, an OBGYN in Central Iowa, and Erika Bailey, a finance and project management professional—to unpack everything from election night reactions to what this means for the next four years.
And let me tell you—this conversation was real.
Disappointment, Reality, and Moving Forward
For many of us, the night of the election felt like a gut punch wrapped in the thinnest layer of hope. Hope that maybe, just maybe, voters would see the bigger picture. Hope that people would understand what was at stake. But as the results poured in, that hope quickly morphed into a heavy dose of reality.
The Electoral College breakdown wasn’t shocking—Trump took 312 votes to Kamala Harris’s 226. But what was frustrating? He won the popular vote as well. And despite all the noise, 15 million people chose not to vote at all.
As we broke it all down on the podcast, the consensus was clear: we saw this coming, but it still hurt.
The Breakdown of Votes: Who Showed Up & Who Didn’t
The election results once again revealed an ugly truth—Black women continue to show up, do the work, and fight for democracy, while others… well, they remain a mixed bag.
- 92% of Black women voted for Harris and Walz.
- 52% of white women voted for Trump.
Yep. 52%.
After everything. After Roe v. Wade. After the attacks on DEI, reproductive rights, and public education. After Project 2025’s open agenda to dismantle so many civil liberties. More than half of white women still chose Trump.
And Black women? Many are done carrying the load. Across social media, there’s been a noticeable shift—Black women are checking out. They’re saying:
- No more marching.
- No more fighting battles for people who won’t fight for us.
- No more doing the emotional labor of saving a country that refuses to save itself.
And honestly? I get it.
What’s Next? Preparing for the Reality Ahead
The next four years won’t be easy. Trump’s administration picks are already terrifying—Linda McMahon for Secretary of Education? Dr. Oz over Medicare and Medicaid? Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy in charge of “Government Efficiency”? You cannot make this stuff up.
So, what do we do?
From a Financial Standpoint (Erika’s Advice)
- Save what you can. Even if it’s $5 a week, start putting money away.
- Be prepared for mass layoffs. Industries like finance, tech, and education will be hit hard.
- Consider new certifications. Make yourself as marketable as possible.
From a Healthcare Perspective (Dr. Carr’s Advice)
- Protect your medical records. New legislation could make patient privacy even shakier.
- Advocate for reproductive rights. Even if abortion bans don’t seem to impact you directly, their ripple effects will be felt across all aspects of healthcare.
- Support Black doctors and healthcare providers. Representation matters, and so does access to trusted care.
From an Education & Knowledge Standpoint (My Advice)
- Read banned books. Iowa currently has over 3,800 banned books—the second-highest in the country behind Florida.
- Get educated beyond social media. If you’re unsure about policies, Google it! Learn from multiple sources.
- If you’re thinking about school, apply NOW. Federal aid and access to education will likely change under Trump. Secure your spot while you can.
Final Thoughts: Black Women, Protect Your Peace
If there’s one takeaway from this election cycle, it’s this: we cannot save people from themselves.
Black women have always been at the forefront of change. But for now? Many are choosing to redirect their energy—to themselves, their communities, and their families. And that’s okay.
So, as we step into this next chapter, remember:
- Stay informed.
- Protect your financial and mental well-being.
- Build community where it matters.
Because no matter what happens next—we are going to be alright.
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