By Staff
“Today, we are honored to speak with Lauren Macmadu, publisher of Black Allyship… A Daily Journal of Self-Reflective Quotes and Practices You Can Implement to Become a Better Ally to Individuals in the African American Community. Lauren is dedicated to fostering meaningful conversations around allyship, self-reflection, and accountability. Through this powerful journal, she provides a practical guide for individuals seeking to deepen their understanding, challenge biases, and take actionable steps toward racial equity. We look forward to discussing the inspiration behind this project, its impact, and the journey of allyship.”
What inspired you to create Black Allyship? Was there a defining moment that sparked this journey?
The inspiration for Black Allyship was born out of both personal experience and a deep sense of responsibility. As a Black woman navigating professional and personal spaces, I’ve encountered unconscious bias regularly—not always from people with bad intentions, but often from those who genuinely believe they are doing the right thing yet still contribute to the challenges that Black and Brown people face daily.
At the same time, we live in an era where division seems to be growing, and recent events, including the presidential election and the historic rise of former Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign, made me pause and ask myself: What am I doing to bring people together?
I wanted to be part of the solution—not just for myself but for my children and future generations. Writing Black Allyship with Kevin E. Hooks was an opportunity to provide a tool for people who want to engage in meaningful allyship but may not know where to start. While the book was structured to align with Black History Month, allyship isn’t confined to a single month or moment—it’s an ongoing journey. This book is designed to be a resource that can be used at any time of the year, helping people move beyond good intentions toward real impact.
Ultimately, Black Allyship is my way of helping to create the world I want to see—one where understanding, action, and accountability lead to real change.
Can you share a little about your background and how it has influenced your perspectives on allyship?
I was born and raised in San Francisco, California, but my journey has taken me across the country, exposing me to different cultures, perspectives, and realities. My parents instilled in me a strong work ethic, teaching me that I could achieve anything if I worked hard. But alongside that encouragement came a harder truth: I had to work 100 times harder or be 100 times better than everyone else to succeed. That’s an exhausting standard to uphold every single day.
For much of my life, I didn’t always recognize the systemic barriers I was up against. I internalized the struggles I faced, often feeling jaded, not fully understanding that many of them were rooted in racism rather than personal shortcomings. My first career as a professional ballet dancer with the Dance Theatre of Harlem was an early lesson in both the power of representation and the barriers that exist for Black professionals in predominantly white spaces.
Transitioning into corporate America, I worked my way up to become the Chief External Relations Officer at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts. Looking back, I can see that I have lived the values my parents instilled in me, but I also recognize that my road to success was longer than it had to be. Too often, I was met with praise for my hard work but not the action or opportunities that should have followed. True allyship isn’t just about acknowledgment—it’s about using one’s privilege to create access and remove barriers. That realization is part of what drives my passion for Black Allyship.
The book is structured as a daily journal. Why did you choose this format, and how do you hope it impacts readers[1] ?
While Black Allyship was intentionally designed as a 29-day journal to align with Black History Month—including leap years—it is an effective tool that can be used at any time. Allyship isn’t something that happens overnight; it’s an ongoing journey that requires continuous reflection and action, no matter the time of year.
We chose this format because true allyship is a practice, not a one-time commitment. Reading about allyship is one thing, but transformation happens through consistent engagement. By dedicating 29 days to reflection, learning, and intentional action, we hope readers build habits that extend far beyond the month.
Our goal is for this book to serve as a catalyst—not just for 29 days of action, but for a lifelong commitment to allyship that creates real, lasting change. Whether someone picks it up in February, July, or December, the lessons remain just as relevant and impactful.
Were there any specific challenges in curating the quotes and practices? How did you decide what to include?
That’s an interesting question because, if anything, the challenge wasn’t in finding enough quotes and practices from Black leaders—it was in narrowing them down. There is an abundance of wisdom, guidance, and lived experience from Black voices that could easily fill a year-long journal.
However, we wanted Black Allyship to be accessible and not feel overwhelming. Allyship is a journey, and for many, taking that first step can be the hardest part. By curating 29 days of reflection and action, we aimed to create something that is both impactful and digestible—something that welcomes people into the work rather than making it feel like an impossible undertaking. Our hope is that these 29 days serve as a powerful starting point, inspiring readers to integrate allyship into their daily lives in a way that lasts far beyond the journal itself.
Allyship is often viewed as an external action—how does self-reflection play a role in being a better ally?
That’s the central issue—true allyship is far from just an external action. When allyship is only outwardly performed but not deeply understood or internalized, it ultimately fails. Too often, people believe that smiling in our faces, offering praise, or cosigning what we say is enough. But real allyship isn’t about surface-level gestures—it’s about doing the hard work when we’re not in the room. It’s about matching words with action, using influence to challenge injustice, and standing firm in support even when it’s uncomfortable or inconvenient.
Self-reflection is crucial because allyship isn’t just about what you do—it’s about who you are. It’s not performative; it’s personal. Each person’s journey to allyship will look different depending on their environment, leverage, and circles of influence. That’s why reflection is necessary—it helps individuals understand where they can be most impactful in their own communities. When people take the time to truly examine their role in this work, they move beyond performative gestures to real, meaningful action. And when allyship becomes a personal commitment rather than just a public stance, that’s when real change happens—one ally at a time.
Can you share a favorite quote or exercise from the book and why it resonates with you?
One of my favorite quotes in Black Allyship is from Angela Davis:
“You have to act as if it were possible to radically transform the world. And you have to do it all the time.”
This quote resonates deeply with me because it perfectly encapsulates what we are asking people to do. Allyship—and any meaningful change—requires both belief and action. We cannot afford to be passive or to wait for the world to change on its own. We have to believe that a more just and equitable world is possible, and we have to commit to working toward it every single day.
The moment we stop believing in that possibility, we risk giving up on the dream entirely. This quote is a reminder that transformation isn’t just an abstract hope—it’s a responsibility. And if we each act with that mindset, consistently and with intention, we can create the world we all deserve to live in.
What are some of the most common misconceptions people have about allyship?
One of the biggest misconceptions about allyship is that it’s simply about being supportive rather than taking action. Many people think that saying the right things, expressing sympathy, or acknowledging injustice is enough. But allyship isn’t passive—it requires consistent, intentional effort to challenge systems of oppression and advocate for real change.
Another common misconception is that allyship is performative—something you do publicly to be seen as a “good person.” True allyship isn’t about optics; it’s about integrity. It’s about what you do when no one is watching, how you use your influence in spaces where marginalized voices are absent, and whether you take risks to stand up for what’s right.
Some also believe allyship is a destination—that once you “become” an ally, the work is done. In reality, allyship is an ongoing journey of learning, unlearning, and taking action. It’s not a badge you earn; it’s a lifelong commitment to growth, accountability, and impact.
Ultimately, allyship isn’t about perfection—it’s about persistence. It’s not about having all the answers but being willing to listen, learn, and do the work.
What does meaningful allyship look like in everyday life beyond social media activism?
Meaningful allyship happens in the moments when no one is watching. It’s more than a hashtag, a post, or a public statement—it’s about everyday actions that challenge injustice, uplift marginalized voices, and create real change.
In the workplace, it looks like advocating for colleagues of color—ensuring they have a seat at the table, speaking up when they’re overlooked, and actively mentoring and sponsoring them for opportunities. It’s about recognizing unconscious bias in hiring, promotions, and decision-making and working to correct it.
In personal relationships, meaningful allyship is about having tough conversations with family, friends, and peers—even when it’s uncomfortable. It’s choosing to interrupt racist jokes or microaggressions rather than staying silent. It’s about educating yourself rather than relying on people of color to do the emotional labor of explaining systemic oppression.
In communities, allyship means using your privilege to support and amplify Black and Brown voices, investing in Black-owned businesses, donating to organizations that fight for equity, and showing up—not just when it’s convenient, but consistently.
Real allyship requires action. It’s not about performative gestures but about making a sustained commitment to dismantling barriers and creating a more just world in tangible, everyday ways.
How can someone measure their progress in becoming a better ally?
Measuring progress in allyship isn’t about checking off a to-do list—it’s about deepening your awareness, actions, and impact over time. Some key ways to gauge your growth as an ally include:
- Self-Reflection – Are you more aware of your own biases? Do you catch yourself in moments where you might have previously stayed silent or overlooked an issue? Growth starts with honest self-examination.
- Action Over Intention – Are you moving beyond good intentions and actively taking steps to support marginalized communities? Real allyship means advocating, amplifying, and using your influence to create change, even when it’s inconvenient.
- Discomfort and Accountability – Have you leaned into difficult conversations rather than avoiding them? Are you willing to listen and learn when challenged, rather than getting defensive? True growth often comes from discomfort.
- Impact on Others – Have you created space for others in your workplace, community, or social circles? Are you mentoring, sponsoring, or advocating for people of color in meaningful ways? Allyship isn’t just about personal growth—it’s about shifting the structures around you.
- Consistency – Are you showing up regularly, not just when racial justice is trending? Allyship isn’t a moment; it’s a lifelong commitment.
At the end of the day, the best measure of your progress is whether your allyship is making a tangible difference in the lives of the people you claim to support. If you’re actively working to change systems, uplift marginalized voices, and challenge inequities, you’re on the right path.
How has writing this book impacted you personally? Have you grown or shifted in any way through this process?
I am incredibly proud of publishing this book. When Kevin E. Hooks and I first started this journey, it felt daunting. I had no idea how to self-publish a book, and at one point, the project stalled. But through a renewed commitment, I pushed myself to be intentional about finishing what we started. I challenged myself to do something difficult, to figure it out—and we did.
Publishing this book has been a transformative experience. It’s a reminder that I can do hard things and that there is always another way forward if you refuse to give up. Now that I’ve done it, I know that writing another book is possible. I’m a published author, and this is just one of many challenges I will overcome in my career and life.
This journey has reinforced an important lesson: belief in yourself is everything. When you truly commit to something and push past the obstacles, you will find a way. And that mindset is something I’ll carry with me far beyond this book.
What’s one key message you hope every reader walks away with after completing this journal?
The one key message I hope every reader takes away is that allyship is a lifelong commitment, not just a moment or a trend. It’s not about perfection—it’s about persistence, action, and a willingness to continuously learn and grow.
True allyship goes beyond words and social media gestures; it requires deep self-reflection, intentional action, and a commitment to standing up for what’s right—even when it’s uncomfortable, even when no one is watching.
If readers walk away with a renewed sense of responsibility and a personal understanding of how they can make a difference in their own circles, then this journal has done its job. Change happens one person at a time, and together, we have the power to create a more just and equitable world.
Where can people find your book, and how can they stay connected with your work?
Black Allyship is available on Amazon, and I encourage everyone to grab a copy and begin their journey toward meaningful allyship. You can find it here: Black Allyship on Amazon.
To stay connected with my work, you can follow me on LinkedIn, where I regularly share insights on leadership, allyship, and storytelling.
This book is just the beginning, and I’m excited to continue the conversation and keep building spaces for learning, action, and transformation. Let’s stay connected and keep doing the work together!
About The Author
