Allyship in Workplaces and Beyond: How to Be Inclusive AF

Group of 5 young adults holding either a book or laptop in a work environment setting

Inclusivity is more than a buzzword. It’s more than a trendy hashtag or a “commitment” buried on your website’s About page. It’s about real action, real accountability, and real impact. Allyship is your ticket to making that happen—both in the workplace and in your personal life. But, spoiler alert, not all allyship is created equal.

No doubt you’ve noticed all the companies and organizations rolling back or eliminating their DEIBA programs. TBH, I’m not surprised. I’d guess most of them were just performative allies anyway, not GENUINELY committed to being Inclusive AF.

If you’ve been guilty of performative allyship (haven’t we all, at least once?), it’s time to level up. Because here’s the hard truth—even well-meaning gestures can unintentionally do harm. It’s past time to ditch the optics and do the work. And if you’re a small business owner, a team lead, or an HR team of one, creating an inclusive workplace culture starts with YOU.

That’s where #JOYFullWorkplaces and the Continuous Cultural Improvement (CCI) Method™ come in. These tools are here to take the overwhelming, “where do I even start?” vibes and turn them into focused, actionable strategies that transform workplaces and lives.

Here’s the lay of the land—how allyship fits into inclusivity, where we tend to screw it up, and how to do it right.

The Allyship Gap—Performative vs. Genuine

Performative allyship is the easy way out. It’s those Instagram “solidarity” posts during Black Lives Matter protests, complete with a black square. It’s the rainbow corporate logos every Pride Month while quietly funding anti-LGBTQ legislation. It’s calling yourself “woke” but staying silent when your coworker faces discrimination.

These performative gestures? They center you, not the cause. They’re about looking good, not doing good. And they actively get in the way of real progress.

What does genuine allyship look like instead? It’s uncomfortable. It’s inconvenient. It’s messy. Genuine allies are the ones amplifying marginalized voices, challenging systemic inequities, and showing up consistently—even when it’s not trendy or PR-friendly.

Here’s the core difference.

Performative allies ask, “How can I look like an ally?”

Genuine allies ask, “What impact am I making?”

Genuine Allyship in Action—Where Do You Start?

If you’re ready to trade performative gestures for the real deal, here are some steps to move the needle.

1. Start with Education (No, It’s Not on Marginalized Folks to Teach You)

Learning is your job. Read books. Take workshops. Listen to marginalized voices—especially when they’re calling out what needs to change.

Not sure where to start? Lean into resources offered by Wheelhouse Learning Solutions. Their focus on creating inclusive workplace cultures ensures you’re learning from experts who live this work every day.

Pro-tip: Subscribing to the Inclusive AF Substack is an easy way to fill your inbox with no-BS insights, strategies, and inspirational stories (#RandomActsOfInclusion, anyone?).

2. Take Tangible Action

Here’s the thing—thoughts and prayers don’t cut it. Allyship requires action. Donate to causes fighting for equity. Challenge harmful comments in your workplace or social circle. Advocate for inclusive policies that tackle pay gaps, diversity hiring, and anti-discrimination practices.

For small business owners and HR managers, this could mean auditing your workplace practices with a CCI framework. Is your company actively driving Continuous Cultural Improvement™️? Are you identifying and addressing gaps, or just slapping a band-aid on the bare minimum?

3. Amplify Marginalized Voices

Being Inclusive AF means knowing when to step aside. Use your privilege and platform to elevate the voices and stories that need to be heard. This doesn’t mean co-opting the narrative for your own gain—it means listening, learning, and amplifying without centering yourself.

4. Hold Yourself (and Others) Accountable

It’s easy to call out performative actions when others screw up. But accountability starts with you. Allyship isn’t about being perfect—it’s about being willing to reflect, adjust, and keep showing up.

Corporate leaders, take note. Performative promises (we’re looking at you, slick PR campaigns) without action destroy trust. Instead, focus on consistent, measurable efforts that prove your commitments run deeper than your Instagram page.

5. Commit to Continuous Cultural Improvement™️

This is where the CCI Method comes in clutch. Inclusivity isn’t an event or an annual training. It’s a continuous, evolving process that challenges organizations and individuals to keep doing the work—day in and day out.

The best part? CCI doesn’t just benefit marginalized communities. It creates JOYFull Workplaces, where employees feel seen, supported, and empowered to do their best work. And guess what? That joy trickles down to happier customers, better retention, and stronger teams.

JOYFull Workplaces + Inclusive AF = Serious Impact

A JOYFull Workplace isn’t just a warm-and-fuzzy idea. It’s built on a foundation of inclusivity, collaboration, and continuous growth. With frameworks like CCI supporting your efforts, inclusion becomes more than a goal—it becomes the culture your business thrives on.

Want actionable tools to get there? The Inclusive AF Substack subscription plans are your toolbox for building Inclusive AF workplaces while leveling up as a genuine ally.

Here’s What You Get with Inclusive AF Substack

Free Plan
- Twice-monthly Friday 411 with actionable tips and tools for making inclusivity a habit.
- Banned Book Recommendations to broaden perspectives.
- Inspiring stories under #RandomActsOfInclusion (because small actions lead to big change).
Paid Plan
- Everything in the free plan, plus:
- Access to the Silent Banned Book Circle, with monthly virtual sessions and deep discussions.
- Exclusive reflection guides to keep you in alignment with your allyship goals.
Founding Members Tier
- All of the above, plus advanced resources like the Inclusive AF Best Practices Guides Bundle and early access to From Cubbies to Cubes.

Whether you’re just dipping your toes into inclusivity or ready to go all-in, the Inclusive AF Substack has something for you.

Allyship Starts with YOU

Here’s the bottom line—being Inclusive AF is an ongoing choice. Whether you’re managing employees, mentoring a team, or setting the tone for family dynamics, you have the power to pave the way for real inclusivity. Stop settling for optics. Start creating the kind of workplace culture that can only be described as JOYFull.

Because at the end of the day? It’s not about looking like an ally. It’s about being one.

Subscribe now to Inclusive AF, and start building a world that reflects the values you say you believe in. The tools are here. The time is now. Are you ready?

Meet Janifer, a trailblazer in cultivating inclusive and thriving environments, both in education and business. With a robust background as a teacher and district-level Director of Continuous School Improvement, she partnered with the Texas Education Agency to elevate student success across diverse demographics. Janifer’s passion for creating supportive cultures led to the development of her Continuous Cultural Improvement™️ model, a transformative tool for small businesses to foster inclusivity, accessibility, and equity. Now, she leverages her expertise to offer professional learning and development services, helping businesses embrace diversity and drive impactful change. Janifer is committed to harnessing the power of learning as a catalyst for growth and success in every community she touches. Follow Us on LI: Wheelhouse Learning Solutions.

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