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