Can you succeed in corporate America without pretending to be someone you're not?

In this episode of Just Us with Liz & Kere, we revisit one of television's most iconic characters—Steve Urkel—to unpack a surprisingly powerful lesson about authenticity, code-switching, confidence, and the masks we wear to fit in.

Using the legendary Steve Urkel vs. Stefan Urquelle storyline from Family Matters, Liz and Kere explore what happens when we allow other people's expectations to define who we are. They discuss authenticity in the workplace, the pressure Black women often face to conform, and why embracing your full self may be the key to both success and fulfillment.

Then, in a special Boss It or Toss It, they rank some of television's most unforgettable characters—from Waldo and Carlton Banks to Janine Teagues, Fred Sanford, Jazz, Franklin, Charlie, and more—based on their commitment to individuality and authenticity.

If you've ever felt pressured to wear a mask at work, this conversation is for you.

📌 Like, Subscribe & Share to help more Black women navigate corporate spaces with confidence and purpose.

00:00 Welcome to Just Us with Liz & Kere

03:03 Teachable Moment: The Book of Family Matters

04:58 Why Steve Urkel is the ultimate lesson in authenticity

09:44 The creation of Stefan Urquelle and the workplace mask

11:31 When other people's expectations become your identity

12:24 Myra, self-worth, and being loved as your authentic self

18:32 Why authenticity wins in the end

19:34 The lesson: Stop wearing masks for other people

20:37 Helping young people discover their own version of "cool"

22:24 The history and reality of masking in Black culture

23:24 Bringing your whole self to work

24:49 Sponsor Break

26:40 Boss It or Toss It: TV's Most Authentic Characters

32:25 Waldo Faldo – Authenticity without apology

34:11 Carlton Banks – Staying true to yourself

35:24 LaVita Alizé Jenkins – Lovably authentic

37:00 Jerome in the House – Boss or Toss?

38:28 Sheneneh – Iconic but too much?

40:01 Madea enters the conversation

40:39 Janine Teagues (Abbott Elementary)

43:16 Sandra Clark (227)

45:03 The Upshaws debate

47:10 Fred G. Sanford

48:32 Jazz from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

49:58 Franklin from Peanuts

51:39 Charlie from Black-ish

53:15 Final thoughts: Authenticity matters

#AuthenticityMatters #BlackWomenAtWork #CorporateSuccess #LeadershipDevelopment #CareerGrowth #JustUsPodcast #SteveUrkel #PersonalBranding #ProfessionalDevelopment #BlackWomenLead

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