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