Non-Hispanic black (BL) individuals have the greatest prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD), relative to other racial/ethnic groups (e.g., non-Hispanic white population; WH) which may be secondary to blunted vascular function. While women typically present with reduced CVD relative to men of the same racial/ethnic group, the prevalence is similar between BL women and men though the mechanisms differ. This study hypothesized that reduced microvascular function in young, BL women is associated with endothelin-1 (ET-1) overactivity or insufficient L-arginine bioavailability. Nine BL and 9 WH women participated (age: 20 ± 2 vs. 22 ± 2 y). Cutaneous microvascular function was assessed during 39°C local heating, while Lactated Ringer's (control), BQ-123 (ET-1 receptor type A antagonist), BQ-788 (ET-1 receptor type B antagonist), or L-arginine was infused via intradermal microdialysis to modify cutaneous vascular conductance (CVC). Subsequent infusion of Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester allowed for quantification of the nitric oxide (NO) contribution to vasodilation, while combined sodium nitroprusside and 43°C heating allowed for normalization to maximal CVC (%CVCmax). BL women had blunted %CVCmax and NO contribution to dilation during the 39°C plateau (P < 0.027 for both). BQ-123 improved thisresponse through augmented NO-mediated dilation (P < 0.048 for both). BQ-788 and L-arginine, did not alter the CVC responses (P > 0.835 for both) or the NO contribution (P > 0.371 for both). Cutaneous microvascular function is reduced in BL women, and ET-1 receptor type A may contribute to this reduced function. Further research is needed to better characterize these mechanisms in young, BL women.