Inflation Falls Slightly in April, But Black Businesses Still Face Sector-Specific Pressures

WASHINGTON - May 13, 2025 - PRLog -- Creative Investment Research has released a new analysis on the April 2025 Consumer Price Index (CPI), warning that despite the reported moderation in inflation, Black and minority-owned businesses continue to face disproportionate cost pressures in key sectors. The report also raises serious concerns about the accuracy and transparency of federal economic data, citing inconsistencies between CPI trends and on-the-ground business realities.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the CPI rose 0.2% in April, bringing the 12-month inflation rate down to 2.3%, the lowest since February 2021. However, prices for food away from home (+3.9%), medical care services (+0.5%), and shelter (+4.0%) continued to climb—areas where minority businesses are both overrepresented and under-resourced.

"Given the dishonest and unethical nature of the current administration, we would not be surprised if the CPI numbers were artificially suppressed," said William Michael Cunningham, economist and founder of Creative Investment Research. "The statistical narrative simply does not align with the real-world experience of Black and minority-owned firms."

Key Sector Insights:

Food & Hospitality: Full-service restaurant prices rose 4.3% year-over-year, straining margins for Black and Hispanic-owned food service businesses.

Energy & Transportation: Natural gas (+3.7%) and electricity (+0.8%) cost increases continue to raise operational expenses for minority-run logistics and rideshare firms.

Real Estate & Construction: Shelter costs rose 0.4% for the month, contributing to higher rents and commercial real estate pressures in underserved communities.

Healthcare & Services: Medical care index increased 0.5%, making it harder for small, minority-run clinics to manage service delivery costs.

The analysis also notes that new federal tariffs on imported goods, announced in April, have yet to show up in CPI figures. Their delayed impact may drive prices higher in future months, further straining minority-owned importers and retailers.

Creative Investment Research recommends that minority business owners:

Do not rely solely on headline CPI figures for planning;
Monitor real-time supplier and labor costs;
Prepare for delayed cost spikes from tariff effects;
Advocate for greater transparency in economic reporting and disaggregated inflation metrics.

Review the Analysis: An version of the April 2025 CPI Sector Impact Data is available here:
https://www.impactinvesting.online/2025/05/april-2025-cpi...

About Creative Investment Research
Creative Investment Research, founded in 1989, provides economic forecasting, impact investing insights, and risk analysis focused on underserved communities. The firm is recognized for its leadership in evaluating the economic effects of public policy on Black and minority-owned businesses.

Contact:
William Michael Cunningham
info@creativeinvest.com
(202) 455-0430