Can Black women ever just show up to work without being scrutinized?

In this episode, Liz and Kere tackle a powerful listener letter from a professional Black woman whose confidence was shaken moments before a major presentation when a coworker questioned whether her outfit was appropriate—even though it fully complied with company dress code. Together, they unpack body policing, workplace jealousy, confidence, self-advocacy, and why Black women are often held to different standards in corporate spaces.

Then, the conversation expands into a candid discussion about the stereotypes and tropes that continue to shape how Black women are perceived at work and in popular culture. From the "Sassy Sister" to the "Angry Black Woman," Liz and Kere explore how these labels can be weaponized—and why embracing your authentic self is the ultimate act of resistance.

Plus, a few laughs, a Martin throwback, and an unapologetic defense of showing up exactly as you are.

0:00 Welcome to Just Us with Liz & Kere

0:22 Why we wear T-shirts and sweatshirts on the podcast

1:28 The problem with policing Black women’s appearance

2:25 Authenticity, branding, and showing up as yourself

4:22 Why comfort and relatability matter

6:13 Read Out Letter: "Second Guessing Before Showtime"

6:33 A career-defining presentation and one damaging comment

7:20 "I'm not sure I would wear that..."

8:04 How body policing impacts confidence at work

9:03 Stop policing Black women’s bodies

10:11 Was the comment intentional?

11:08 Why successful women attract criticism

12:36 What haters reveal about your growth

14:01 Real leaders fix crowns—they don't knock them off

15:08 Responding to workplace digs and passive-aggressive comments

16:33 Powerful clap-backs that reclaim your confidence

18:26 Document, document, document

19:22 When workplace criticism is really someone else's issue

20:14 Why you shouldn't second-guess your greatness

21:37 Introduction to the Top 5

22:33 #5 The Sassy Sister

23:40 Why this stereotype gets overused and misunderstood

27:02 #4 The Bubbly Black Girl

28:35 The outsider effect and being "not Black enough"

30:03 The pressure of deciding how much of yourself to show at work

31:18 Liz's corporate karaoke dilemma

33:35 Why it's okay to embrace every part of yourself

34:24 #3 The Exotic Black Woman

36:34 #2 The Prim & Proper Black Woman

38:52 #1 The Angry Black Woman

39:16 Why passion gets misinterpreted in corporate spaces

40:34 How to challenge the "Angry Black Woman" label in real time

41:53 Tyler Perry's "Struggling Black Sister" trope

44:43 Why pitting Black women against each other misses the reality

46:17 The truth about how Black women support one another

47:06 Relax, relate, release

47:37 Martin, Nino Brown, and one of TV's funniest moments

48:52 Just Us merchandise spotlight

49:44 Nobody gets to police what we wear

50:21 Final thoughts and sign-off

Can you be a genuine ally without making it about yourself?

In this candid and often hilarious episode, Liz and Kere respond to a letter from a white female leader who wants to better support the Black women on her team but worries that her efforts sometimes come across as tone-deaf or performative. Together, they unpack the difference between intention and impact, what authentic allyship actually looks like, and how leaders can create meaningful support without centering themselves in the conversation.

Along the way, Liz and Kere share real workplace stories, discuss sponsorship versus performative advocacy, and explain why listening may be the most powerful leadership skill of all.

Then, things take a turn as they dive into a spirited Top 10 list exploring why they may never attend "the cookout"—a funny but thought-provoking conversation about cultural spaces, belonging, allyship, and who gets invited.

This episode blends practical leadership advice, workplace wisdom, cultural commentary, and plenty of laughs.

0:00 Welcome to Just Us with Liz & Kere

0:09 Why Liz is repping UVA and the connection to allyship

2:41 Just Us merchandise spotlight

3:17 Read Out Letter: "Trying But Still Learning"

3:37 A leader wants to be a better ally but keeps missing the mark

5:02 Why intention and impact are not the same thing

7:16 The questions every ally should ask themselves

8:22 The simplest allyship advice: treat people like people

9:13 Why cultural performativity misses the point

10:03 The workplace story that explains accidental othering

12:19 Human-to-human conversations vs. racializing every interaction

13:32 Sponsorship, advocacy, and using your influence wisely

14:57 Why Black employees are not your cultural classroom

16:22 The awkward questions people really ask

18:58 Curiosity, sincerity, and creating safe conversations

21:38 How to ask questions without putting people on the spot

23:10 What authentic allyship actually looks like

25:27 Listening without trying to make someone else's experience your own

26:30 The difference between performative and meaningful support

27:22 Ask yourself: Am I helping or trying to be seen helping?

28:07 Why genuine allies matter

29:00 The "Cookout" conversation begins

33:22 #10 – We don't know who's going to be there

34:15 #9 – Who made the potato salad?

35:02 #8 – The cookout isn't a fashion show

36:29 #7 – Somebody's going to get cussed out

37:09 #6 – It's too hot outside

38:47 #5 – Somebody brought Baby's Kids

40:12 #4 – The parking situation is unacceptable

41:36 #3 – If the Ques aren't making the chicken, why are we here?

44:18 #2 – The cookout has become too gentrified

47:51 #1 – The cookout isn't even real

51:35 Why allyship and inclusion still matter

52:13 Progress only happens when people work together

55:24 Final thoughts and episode wrap-up

In Part 2 of our special live podcast taping from D9 in Trenton, Liz and Kere sit down with New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport for an honest conversation about leadership, public service, community partnership, and what it means to serve with purpose.

Attorney General Davenport discusses the values that inspired her career in public service, her priorities for New Jersey, and how her office is addressing issues ranging from gun violence and human trafficking to consumer protection, civil rights, and affordability. She also shares her perspective on allyship, community engagement, and the importance of listening before leading.

The conversation explores the realities of balancing a demanding career with family life, why giving yourself grace matters, and how authentic leadership can help build trust across communities. Plus, Jennifer joins Liz and Kere for a fun New Jersey-themed edition of Boss It or Toss It featuring Parkway vs. Turnpike, Pork Roll vs. Taylor Ham, and the debate over whether Central Jersey really exists.

If you're interested in leadership, public service, advocacy, or creating positive change in your community, this episode delivers valuable insights and practical wisdom from one of New Jersey's most influential public servants.

0:00 Welcome to Part 2 of the live D9 in Trenton podcast

0:39 Introducing New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport

2:24 Making history with her first podcast appearance

3:05 What inspired her career in public service

3:23 Growing up in Wildwood and learning service from family

4:58 Why civic engagement starts at home

5:35 The Attorney General's priorities for New Jersey

6:57 Defining public safety beyond crime and violence

7:44 New Jersey's approach to reducing gun violence

8:56 Combatting human trafficking and protecting survivors

9:48 Protecting children online and offline

10:34 Consumer protection, affordability, and fighting fraud

11:32 Defending New Jersey's rights and interests

12:34 How the Attorney General's Office and the Divine Nine can work together

13:40 The importance of community engagement and listening

16:45 Balancing leadership, family, and public service

17:17 Why "I don't do it all" is an honest answer

18:12 The power of community, support systems, and giving yourself grace

20:15 Allyship, advocacy, and supporting Black and Brown communities

21:05 Lessons learned from the Selma commemoration

22:29 What authentic allyship looks like in practice

24:53 Final reflections on leadership, trust, and public service

27:49 Boss It or Toss It: Public Service Edition

28:24 Letter of the Law vs. Spirit of the Law

29:36 Early Mornings vs. Late-Night Strategy Sessions

30:02 Group Chats, Phone Calls, and Workplace Communication

30:12 Coffee, Tea, or Diet Coke?

31:06 Pork Roll vs. Taylor Ham

31:28 Parkway vs. Turnpike

31:47 Eagles, Giants, Jets, and New Jersey sports loyalties

32:25 Jersey Devil vs. State Bird

32:41 Is Central Jersey a real place?

32:59 Closing remarks and thank you to D9 in Trenton