Today’s Buzz is by Adrianna Tušek Erickson, Connection & Impact Program Coordinator for the City of Chandler. Follow Adrianna on LinkedIn
What I’m watching: A cold front moving across most of the United States, while we enjoy 75-80 degree temperatures in December.
What I’m getting ready to eat: Sarma (stuffed cabbage), a traditional Croatian dish we enjoy during the holidays
“Allyship” has become a popular term in recent years—something we see in mission statements, strategic plans, and social media posts. But long before we had a name for it, the behavior itself existed. In many ways, allyship has always been part of our DNA. It is something humans have practiced since the beginning. We have always stood beside one another, offered help, created connection, and made sure no one had to navigate the world alone. The word may be new, but the instinct is ancient.
At its core, allyship is the act of supporting and valuing people for who they are. It is recognizing someone’s experience, saying their name in the rooms where decisions are made, and affirming that they belong. I was recently part of a conversation that reminded me how straightforward allyship truly is. People shared that feeling supported was not about grand gestures. It was about someone showing up, inviting them in, and making space for them to be themselves. It was about belonging. And, sometimes, allyship means showing up for groups or communities we are not part of ourselves, simply to show that we see them, respect them, and stand in support of their presence and experiences. Somewhere along the way, we have complicated something that was always meant to be simple.
For those of us in local government, this matters. We influence community culture every day, and our actions, whether big or small, signal who feels welcome. When we strip away the jargon, allyship comes down to two things: kindness and intentionality. It is the willingness to learn about people whose experiences differ from our own, without turning it into an “us versus them” situation. It is leading with openness instead of defensiveness.
Allyship does not require a spotlight or a hashtag. It is not a performance or a competition about who appears most supportive. It lives in quiet, human moments that build trust inside our departments and across our communities. It appears when we bring a meal to a coworker recovering from surgery, help a neighbor connect with a reliable contractor, or support a family who might otherwise go without during the holidays. It is mentoring someone who does not have the same access, sharing knowledge that opens doors, offering encouragement during moments of doubt, or speaking up when something is not right. It is choosing to listen, choosing to care, and choosing to act.
Every day presents opportunities for small, meaningful moments where we can choose compassion. Those choices echo. They shape the environment we create for our teams, for our residents, and for one another. Allyship is not new. It is not complicated. And it is not reserved for certain groups over others. It is simply how we show up for people, a timeless and human practice that has always carried us forward.
In local government, that may be the most powerful form of leadership we have.
Adrianna Erickson is the Connection & Impact Program Coordinator for the City of Chandler, creating programs that build community engagement and inclusion. A proud Arizona State Sun Devil, she holds a bachelor’s in political science and a master’s in education. She has been recognized by ELGL as a 2025 Top Ten Influencer in Local Government.