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.
Stephen Schallert
As a band, it’s very important for us to stay authentic to our core creative values. Meaning that when it comes to the music we write, and the way we present ourselves on stage… the essence of how we operate as a group of creative entities… it doesn’t change because other people are in the room or not. We write music that we are fans of first. We perform in a way that looks how we want to see ourselves. Read More>>
Joel Roache
I’ve never contributed my success to race and I’ve never thought of myself as “less fortunate” because of my race. I think that mentality would have placed me in a position where I contribute all my failures to things completely out of my control. That mentality wouldn’t have allowed me to create at the same level I do now because I would have always believed that my work would never be good enough. Read More>>
Jupiter Stone|
Let’s be real – being the only one in the room is a trip. So much so it may cause you to not want to go on the voyage at all.
It’s equal parts intimidating, exhausting, and a little bit thrilling but for me for the most part of the beginning… I mostly felt crazy.
Crazy enough to do it. Read More>>
Jessica Vazquez
My work is a reflection of who I am. I firmly believe in prioritizing quality, especially in an age where competition is at its peak and technology is becoming increasingly dominant. It is essential to do things right and maintain high standards, such as when altering a garment for a better fit, even within challenging circumstances. Read More>>
Divine Alignment
As women of color in the music industry who are often outnumbered by our male and nonblack counterparts, our success has been the product of tenacity, community, and trust in our abilities per our lifelong record of education and accomplishment. Being effective also comes with finding the gaps in a space and providing solutions for the success of an entire group or project. Read More>>
Cody V
We work harder than anyone else. Every time we hit a roadblock or heard a “no,” we found a way to turn it into a “yes.” Challenges only made us more determined, and we never stopped pushing forward. Read More>>
Paige Marquez
Being the only one out of all my friends that does social media it can be hard to measure your success. Social media is a field of work that grows and changes daily. There is not right or wrong way to do it contrary to popular belief around the “strategies” people post online. It’s all about you, your success is about you, your personality. You figure out what works based on trial and error, nothing you post is guaranteed to do well no matter how much (or how little) work you put into it. Read More>>
Angela Gore Curry
“As an African American woman in yoga, I’ve had to navigate spaces where I’m often the only one in the room. This has taught me to stand firmly in my authenticity and value my unique perspective. I’ve learned to trust my inner strength and not second-guess myself, even when I’m going it alone. It’s important for me to be adaptable, not only for my own success but also to create space for others who might feel the same way. Read More>>
Eddie Paik
I used that to my advantage. I reside in Northern Virginia, depending on who you ask is considered the Silicon Valley of the East or an extension of Washington DC. This area is so government and tech driven that almost everyone I know is in the IT field or working for the federal government, and everyone that meets me would think the same of me at first glance. Read More>>
Stacy Johann
I have discovered that people are mostly curious about an older lesbian with a mohawk, which I do rock very well. I found that if I stay open minded and allow people to feel comfortable and safe with who they are then that helps them to open up to me. I remember working in social work and you could not be openly gay and adopt children and so that was kind of difficult for me because I was in a stable relationship I had a home, but I figured it out. It was because I never sat down and let the powers that be asked the questions they needed to understand that my home in my life was no more extraordinary than any heterosexual couple. Read More>>
Edward Marshun Preston
Throughout my career as an artist, I’ve often found myself as the underdog or the one who stood out for being different. This journey has been defined by resilience, self-discovery, and a refusal to conform to traditional molds. Here’s how I’ve navigated this path:
Embracing My Uniqueness Read More>>
Hayley Dunhoff
As a 31 year-old Jewish Israeli American living in South Florida. I am a Cosmetologist, 300hr RYT, certified herbalist, reiki practitioner, and a musician. I was born in Latrobe PA and I grew up in Tel aviv Israel. I moved to Israel when I was a 13 years old a bold, spunky teenager, and I dreamt of becoming a Broadway singer someday. Moving to Israel wasn’t on my bucket list, but I know it meant a lot to my mother who was born in Israel, and who had all of her family there. Read More>>
Bee Sue
Being exceptionally heavily tattooed has definitely come with its challenges. Yes, I did make this choice for myself and I did know that it would place some roadblocks in front of me, however I would NEVER change the decision. Roadblocks are meant to be overcome, right? How I look has no reflection on how I actually am as a person and what I’m capable of. I’m just decorated for the occasion. Read More>>
Justina Gonzales
From a young age I have stood out. I sang, and danced when others stood quietly. I spoke louder, laughed bigger and drew attention. As in many cases this also drew people who have wished to make me smaller over the years. Through trial and error I have continued to find my peace and my identity. Those who enjoy my loud laugh and bold steps choose to walk with me and to them I am eternally grateful. Read More>>
Paola Gladys Arcieri
Despite what most people think, I love being the different one! I never wanted to blend in or conform just because—well, maybe only when I was 12! Everything I do has to hold meaning that aligns with who I am, what I love, and what I believe in. What works for me is unique and makes sense to me. Many successful people are distinctive characters, and I believe one of the most admired qualities in them is their confidence in being different. Read More>>
Zaire Aranguren
In my 25-year journey as a photographer, I’ve often been the sole woman in male-dominated settings, particularly in commercial and art documentation sectors. Navigating American cultural landscapes as a foreigner presented unique challenges. Initially, I felt out of place and faced mistreatment. However, the most profound hurdle was confronting biases and striving for recognition—yearning to be seen as I perceive myself. Read More>>
Coleman Jackson
I think the fact that I’m the only one in the room that looks like me is exactly what allows me to be successful. In fact, I think the things that differentiate me (or anyone) from everyone else are the things that create the most value. Most of my work comes from people who need someone to do something for them that they can’t do themselves. If I was just doing something that they could have done, then my work doesn’t have too much value. Read More>>
Kateryna
I have my husband and my family. They’ve always supported me. And being honest, sometimes I get a strong feeling that my husband believes in me much more than I believe in myself. And we do lots of things together to succeed. We have same goals. With that type of support you can’t lose. But I hadn’t always had him by my side. Read More>>
Courtney Bryan
I’ve always been a bit of a black sheep—in a good way. I’ve had strong relationships with my family, but I’ve never truly been connected to anyone in a way that made me feel completely understood. My way of thinking, my approach to life, and the things I want have always been uniquely mine.
Being the only one in the room who looks, thinks, or operates like me isn’t a challenge—it’s a blessing. It means I get to create my own path without comparison, without the pressure to conform. I’ve never wanted what someone else has or to be like anyone else. I’ve always wanted what I want and to be exactly who I am. Read More>>
Darie J
Throughout my career, I have often found myself being the only person in the room who looks like me. This unique position has taught me the importance of confidence, adaptability, and effective communication. By embracing my differences, I have learned to bring fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to the table, ultimately contributing to my success in diverse environments. Read More>>
Jacqueline Boyd
In many ways I have always been the ‘only me’ in the room. I grew up as a biracial child in a very small town which was overwhelmingly white. My mother is white and my dad is black, so we definitely stood out, everybody knew us. It felt like growing up in a fishbowl, but definitely taught me how to carry myself, communicate for understanding or to demand respect, and learn the things I wanted to know about the other half of my cultural background. It was both isolating and emboldening. When there’s no other standard you fit into, you have to create your own standard. Read More>>
Tymari Lore
From the moment my mother decided to name me Tymari, my journey of embracing individuality began. For most of my life, I have been the only one with my name—a distinction that, as a child, sometimes made me feel different in a way I didn’t fully appreciate. But over time, I came to understand how empowering it was to be one of one. Read More>>
Teressa Short
I’ve learned to own my space and trust that I belong in any room I step into. As a Black woman, I know that representation matters, and I carry that with pride. Being the only one who looks like me has taught me the power of confidence, preparation, and staying true to myself. I focus on bringing value, building relationships, and letting my work speak for itself. Instead of seeing it as a challenge, I see it as an opportunity to bring a fresh perspective and open doors for others who will come after me. Read More>>
Erica Cooper
Having served in the military for 24 years, I regularly felt that I was the only one in the room. Whether I was the only woman, woman of color or Cape Verdean American, I seemed to stand out (not the way I would’ve preferred to stand out). However, I never let that stop my ambitions or how I’ve walked through life. I’ve always had an unwavering commitment to be true to myself and I was never interested in following the crowd (thanks to my mum). I have also been very transparent, honest, integrity filled and stood firm in my core values. Read More>>
Derek Chan
My musical experience started while performing in my childhood church where my mom was Choir Director. During our time there we both experienced racism from the congregation and leadership as the only Chinese-Americans in leadership positions in that community. Not only was she ridiculed for her accent but it was an early moment of realization for me- it doesn’t matter what the other people in the room look like, it matters how they make you feel. Read More>>
Azurah Hays
I have learned that being comfortable taking up space has single-handedly helped me be successful in spaces where I am the only Black woman. When I stopped hyper-focusing on the fact that oftentimes I am the only one who looks like me, I noticed that I had more energy to put towards my craft. Thus, causing me to see more improvement and essentially, more success. Read More>>
Estephani
In any room I walk into, I always try my best to meet and introduce myself to everyone. It’s impossible to form deep connections with every person in the room. But those brief interactions — even just a smile, a greeting, or a question about someone’s day — can make a huge impact! You’d be surprised how much that simple act of asking about someone’s well-being can mean to them.
It’s easy to feel out of place when you’re the only one who looks like you, but I’ve learned that the key to feeling comfortable and successful in these situations lies in kindness and openness. Read More>>
