Inevitably you will find yourself in a room where no one else is like you. They might not look like you, speak like you, pray or love like you or think like you. Managing to be effective in all contexts is an essential part of your journey towards reaching your full potential and so we asked some brilliant members of the community to share their stories and advice.
Neomi Fletcher
I was birthed into a context where I was the only one in the room who looked like me. As I grew and participated in advanced courses, I remained one of a few that looked like me in the room. Living in one of the most diverse cities in the US as a young adult, I continued finding myself in spaces where I was the only melanin rich US native. Read more>>
Corina Irvin
As a Filipino and female commercial real estate broker navigating the commercial real estate industry that has and continuous to be male dominated and lacking in diversity, I find myself being the one and only in a room in several occasions. Whether this be working at large corporate real estate firms, in client or board meetings, or industry events, I have had many experiences where I was either the only female or the only person of color in a room. Read more>>
Brian DeLong-Weismiller
Being “the only one in the room” has been a recurring theme in my life, shaping me in ways that have ultimately been both challenging and rewarding. Growing up as the closeted son of a Baptist minister, I intimately understood the feeling of isolation. When my father moved our family overseas during my teenage years, this sense of being alone was amplified. Read more>>
Micha Alleyne
If I am the only one in a room that looks like me, it either means that the room is so diverse that no one person looks alike, or alternatively, that the room is so lacking in diversity, that I am the only representation of diversity in the room. Read more>>
Nosizwe Moleah
As I reflect on my journey, I’ve come to realize that being the only one in the room who looks like me has actually been a blessing in disguise. It’s forced me to be unapologetically myself and find my own way to succeed. Growing up Rastafari, I was taught to approach life with a positive mindset and to always be present in the moment. I learned that being kind and genuine towards others can open doors and bring people together. Read more>>
Nosizwe Moleah
As I reflect on my journey, I’ve come to realize that being the only one in the room who looks like me has actually been a blessing in disguise. It’s forced me to be unapologetically myself and find my own way to succeed. Growing up Rastafari, I was taught to approach life with a positive mindset and to always be present in the moment. I learned that being kind and genuine towards others can open doors and bring people together. Read more>>
Chief Tiffi’Ni Michelle Davis
I’ve learned that by accepting my differences as a way to help others learn about me, those that didn’t look like me, can find that we are all similar, inspite of what has been taught not experienced. Read more>>
Vanessa Henderson
Through experience I learned at a very young age that no matter what I had to give 110%. Being the only person of color in the room, so much more was always expected of me. No matter where you go in life you have to be able to stand on your own 2 feet and carry your weight. Even in the present day, it’s an ever learning process. Read more>>
Catherine Tang
The wellness and fitness space is predominately catered to a white audience, and being a woman of colour it took quite a while for me to attach my face to my business. I currently run a women’s athleisurewear line called Saya the Label – however, most of our audience recognize us as more than an apparel brand. We’ve focused a lot of our time and values in creating community and sharing space, especially for women of colour. Read more>>
Dr. Tonicia Freeman-Foster
I have learned, and I am still learning, that I belong in the room—and in many rooms. I am qualified to be in the room. My skills, perspectives, insights, and experiences are invaluable. I am a gift to the room, not in an arrogant way, but in a confident way. My presence enriches the room, not the other way around. My innovative contributions enhance the impact of the agenda in the room. Read more>>
Ryan “Fly Ry” Hendricks
Being the only one in the room has taught me the importance of repetition. I love to be alone and rehearse my poems over and over. No fear of judgment lurks around the corner. I’m free to express myself in the most artistic way possible. The fruits of isolation present itself on every stage I touch from then on. The crowd showing love is an affirmation of success. Read more>>
Raven Chapman
I suffer from social anxiety even though I am an extrovert. So I look at it like an acting role. When I am the odd woman out, I tend to read the room and energy of the people. Then it’s showtime! Sometimes you have to trick the mind into believing you are in a room with peers. Mind over matter works , always! Read more>>
Swapna Patel
As an Indian immigrant woman who attended college in the United States and then worked in New York City, I have often found myself being the only one in the room who looked like me. Navigating through these experiences has taught me invaluable lessons about the basic human needs for recognition and connection, and how to turn my background into a superpower. Read more>>
Allison Taylor
Being the only one in the room that looks like me is hard! But I’ve learned along the way it can be a lot of fun as well. I had my start in a very male dominated world of SEO at a company that was not transparent with their clients. It was in that place that I knew that I had to be ok with being the only one in the room that looked like me. In fact, I learned that I didn’t want to be like everyone else. Read more>>
Christina Powell
I am a Canadian born Caribbean woman. My ancestry is Indian, however, my parents come from Trinidad and Guyana. I believe to answer your question means to think about the ways that my cultural upbringing has impacted me, and then in fold how it helps me navigate being a therapist in private practice. Read more>>
Elena Sanchez
I have a firm understanding of the demands of high performance and ethical conduct, I am committed to upholding these standards consistently, regardless of external influences. Failure to do so would weigh heavily on my conscience. Read more>>
Jasper Riddle
When I entered the wine industry almost 15 years ago, saying I was the youngest would be an understatement. I had barely anything to get started, and I had to borrow everything, which was almost impossible to find so early in the process. I moved back home and tried to launch a winery from the ground up in an industry that people were giving up on, in a town that was stagnant, and in a district that people had also given up on. Read more>>
Shasta Broadus
I’ve been the only one that looks like me in a lot of rooms. I am an American woman who is brown skinned. but here in America I am labeled a black woman. So being raised in San Diego, CA I was the only one who looked like me in a lot of my classes. Growing up, I have always been someone who genuinely likes to help others. Read more>>
Antonello Bonci
One thing that I love about the U.S is the tremendous amount of diversity. Nothing would scare me more than being in a room of people who are too similar to me. I have learned in the last 30 years as a neuroscientist that appearance is very often deceiving, and for this reason, when I am surrounded by people who are culturally, and ethnically different from me helps me grow a tremendous amount. Read more>>
Kym Royal
As a black woman with a prosthetic leg (due to a motorcycle accident in 2018), I’m typically the only one in the room that looks like me. My approach is to just be my authentic self. I enjoy meeting people, so I draw from that strength and seek out opportunities where I can network and get the word out about my business. Read more>>
Louis Thomass
First things first: you’re never the only one in the room. There are always people who’ve done the same things, overcome the same obstacles and most importantly who are better than you. That being said, if there’s nobody around you who you could ask for advice or look up to it’s always best to try things on your own. In my opinion, that’s always the best possible scenario. Read more>>
Caitlyn Resch
The biggest thing I’ve found when I roll into a room is that I’m counted out before I even fully roll in. For some reason, disability as seen as a pariah in society. However, when I open my mouth to speak and am full of sunshine and kindness, people begin to soften. I think the best way to change anyone’s idea is to be kind and honest. Read more>>
Benedictar Sibanda
I have actually learned to remember that my unique perspective and background are my greatest assets. While being the only one who looks like me in a room can be challenging, it has provided me with the opportunity to stand out and make a positive impact. Read more>>
Dr. Shannon Thomas
Dr. Shannon J. Thomas’s website highlights her role as the CEO of Thomas Resources International, Ltd. Co., a company specializing in strategic and resource development for businesses, ministries, and organizations. She is portrayed as a change agent and catalyst, inspiring individuals to envision and create a meaningful future. Read more>>
Amish Dani
It helps if you’re also one of the smartest/knowledgable/most experienced in the room. The rest doesn’t even matter at this point to be honest. In my earlier days it was definitely tough not having a mentor or anyone to look up to, that looked like me, doing the things that i wanted to do, But now that I’ve gotten to this place in my career after going down my own unique path, it feels great to stand out and also inspire others. Read more>>
