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.

Dawon Matthews

Growing up in poverty in Philidelphia, I didn’t have role models—I had cautionary tales. I didn’t see anyone I wanted to be like. I only saw people I didn’t want to end up like. So from an early age, I learned to move with intention, even when I felt isolated or overlooked.

Being the only one in the room that looks like me just meant I had to become the example I never had. I learned to lead through action, speak with clarity, and let my work command respect before I ever said a word. I didn’t wait for a seat at the table—I built the whole table, then created opportunities for others to eat. Read More>>

Melissa Kreis-Stephens

From the beginning of Tomboy, we built the room. We didn’t know we were building the room, but that is what happened. We learned to be effective by doing 3 things really well: making products people want that give them healthier skin, over the top customer service and our relentless optimistic drive!

We attract customers who are like us; free-thinking, adventurous, athletic, bold, wild, optimistic, busy, happy, in love with life! They want real products for real life. The cool thing about our room is that it has been filling up with these incredible customers who rally around us. Read More>>

Josiah Winston

I’ve learned from influential African Americans who have inspired me, whether it be preachers such as Martin Luther King Jr. or actors like myself such as Denzel Washington, Michael B. Jordan, or the late Chadwick Boseman, that the way to be successful and effective in a world that can and does oppress those who look like you, is with wisdom, knowledge and work ethic. They are three things that no one can take away from you, no matter the situation, producing good works that can make a lasting impact on the world itself.  Read More>>

Dana West-Abutbol

Because I always have.

I was adopted as an infant—half Japanese, half Polish—and raised in a world where no one around me looked quite like I did. I was born in 1962, and growing up mixed-race back then wasn’t just different—it was a journey filled with stares, questions, and sometimes, silence. But my father gave me the greatest gift of all: belief. From the moment I was old enough to understand, he told me I was the most beautiful little girl in the world. So instead of wondering if I belonged, I walked into every room like I did. Read More>>

Marla Blake

“Being the only one in the room” has never stopped me—if anything, it’s pushed me to rise higher. Since I was a child, my mom would remind me how persistent I was. That spirit never left me. I’ve learned to embrace challenges, even when they’re hard, and to always stay grounded in who I am.

I choose every day to be authentically myself, because no one else can be me. And I don’t want to blend in—I was made to stand out. As a woman of faith, I believe the light of God shines through me. I carry that light into every room I walk into, letting His presence and the gifts He placed in me speak for themselves. Read More>>

Nicole Santoro

Being the only one in the room who believes in the type of work I do—energy healing, intuitive channeling, and holistic guidance—has taught me to anchor deeply into my own truth. I’ve learned that my effectiveness doesn’t come from external validation, but from the alignment I hold within. When others don’t understand or resonate with this path, I don’t try to convince—I embody. I let the energy speak for itself. Read More>>

Steve And Nancy Montgomery

Looking at an event with many vendors, there are so many amazing talents to be shared! There’s people who cook, people who paint, people who quilt, people that sell amazing natural minerals or all the representatives that are charismatic and are able to promote their national brands of products!
We on the other hand, look at all the amazing talent of woodworkers! After laboring for 3 years we know how much time it takes to make those expensive cutting boards! We know what it’s like to make small furniture!  Read More>>

Angela Keaton

Honestly, it’s all about knowing people. Listen and learn who and where people are, and you either meet them there or leave them there; all while being my wonderfully wonderful self. Living in my truth and being fearless. Read More>>

Niarree Hargrove

Being the only one in the room who looks like me hasn’t always been easy, but it’s definitely made me stronger. There were times I felt out of place or underestimated, but I learned to use that as fuel instead of letting it stop me. Opening my beauty salon and lounge in Atlanta has been a dream that came with a lot of hard work, late nights, and moments where I had to bet on myself—especially when no one else could see the vision. Read More>>

Dr. Taurus Jackson

As the one in the room who has so often looked like no one else, I have learned that effectiveness and success is rooted in authenticity, preparation and a sense of one’s calling. Early on, I learned that I couldn’t control what other people thought of me, but I could control how I showed up—consistently, confidently, and with excellence. I do prepare, I prepare well, I know my subject, and I engage with passion and force. Read More>>

Elayne Sawaya

I grew up at a time and place where being middle eastern wasn’t very common. My mom and grandmother taught me to be proud of my ancestry. I always wanted to look and be treated like the girl next door. Certainly at that time in my life I didn’t want to stand out . When I had my friends over to my home for dinner they were always amazed and surprised by the food my parents served them. Salad ? Isn’t that something reserved for parties only? Read More>> 

GALEY GRIMES

There have been many rooms where I didn’t quite fit the mold; rooms where I was the youngest, the only woman, or the only person without hands-on experience in construction. At times, I was all three.
When I launched Galey Grimes Interiors, I knew I was building more than a design firm; I was building trust in a space that often felt gatekept and dominated by tradition. I stepped onto job sites with a newborn strapped to my chest. I reviewed millwork plans while bouncing a toddler on my hip. I negotiated custom cabinetry, lighting, and lead times with seasoned contractors who, at least initially, underestimated me. Read More>>

M A L U

I believe it is my passion for music that comes from within since I was born. I started noticing that I had a passion for playing violin and piano , then composing, and then producing electronic music. I soon realized that not a lot of people understood the importance I had for it, as to make it my career, as it is not a very popular career. I realized that I had to be creative and have the walk alone. I usually was looking at successful musicians, and I tried to imitate them in my own way.  Read More>>

Melanie Alvarez

When you grow up learning how to do your own makeup because nobody else knows how to match your undertone, you also learn something bigger: how to advocate for yourself in rooms not built with you in mind.

As a first-generation Latina makeup artist and content creator, I’ve often been the only woman of color on set, in boardrooms, or at brand events. At first, I thought I had to prove I belonged by assimilating. But over time, I realized my difference wasn’t a disadvantage, it was a lens. One that allowed me to see the gaps, tell better stories, and show up for the people who needed someone who looked like them in the room. Read More>>

Cinthia Jensen

As a mom, creator, and entrepreneur, I’ve learned that the only way to truly stay ahead especially when you’re the only one in the room is by staying grounded in routine. Every morning, I take a moment to reset. I write out my to-dos, get clear on my priorities, and map out my day with intention. I’ve found that structure isn’t limiting it gives me the freedom to focus on what actually matters. Success isn’t about being busy; it’s about being aligned. That’s how I protect my energy, honor my goals, and show up as the most powerful version of myself. Read More>>

Kelly Berger And Avery Roberts

We try to stand out by not conforming to what people generally look like or see, and use our differences strategically to set ourselves apart from everyone else so that we are memorable. We utilize our physical disability to capitalize on capturing the room and engaging them to the full extent. It’s a moment to teach and showcase that not everybody with a physical disability looks the same or “normal,” and we can still be intelligent, active members of society with a voice that means something.  Read More>>

Meeka Robinson Davis

Being the only one in the room is a feeling I know well—sometimes too well. The only Black woman. The only designer without formal training. The only voice questioning the norm. And for a long time, that feeling came with a weight: a quiet pressure to shrink, to blend in, to not make waves.

But I don’t make things to blend in. I make hats that stand out. That’s the soul of One of a Kind Hats—pieces that don’t whisper, but speak truth. And over time, I realized: that’s exactly what I needed to do too. Read More>>

Ziyuan Yue

As an Asian woman composer working across film, theater, and multimedia, I often find myself to be the only person in the room who looks like me—and sometimes, the only one drawing from a non-Western musical tradition.

When I began my career in the United States, I quickly realized that being “the only one” extended beyond appearance. It meant learning how to navigate across cultural expectations, creative workflows, and professional vocabularies. I wasn’t just writing music—I was learning to speak across disciplines and perspectives. Directors, producers, DP, sometime even accountants—each brought their own language, priorities, and rhythms to the process. Read More>>

Tonie Piper

My intention is to walk in rooms leading with excellence, integrity and resilience. I focus on running my own race and mastering the legacy I want left behind for my 2 sons and family. Overtime, I’ve learned not to shrink myself to fit the space or doors God has opened for me. I understand I do not need permission to be in any room, and I bring value by simply being in the room. Read More>>

 Stanley Webster

For most of my career, I have often found myself as the only person in the room who looks like me. Whether in business or higher education, that experience has been both isolating and defining. It taught me how to navigate spaces that were not built with me in mind, and it pushed me to grow in ways I never expected. Over time, I realized that doing good work is important, but it is not enough. You have to be seen.  Read More>>

Elgher

Growing up in a Bisaya Filipino community, I have always felt like an “outcast” from people my age. I don’t have much interest in physical activities, sports, and computer games; instead, I found myself gravitating towards music and the arts. I think that’s where the isolation stemmed from, as finding a solid group with interests similar to mine was difficult. Entering higher education in the civil engineering program as an aspiring musician, that isolation was even more evident being surrounded by students excelling in engineering courses while I was torn between practicality and passion. Read More>>

R. Jaha

I’ve had to learn how to read a room long before I ever stepped into a rehearsal space. Growing up in a predominantly Black neighborhood in Chicago during a time when death rates for young Black teens were soaring, I remember sitting in all-male assemblies being told: look to your right, then to your left—one of you won’t make it to 21. That kind of messaging wasn’t just sobering, it was survival-based. And for me, it created a kind of pressure that, while terrifying, pushed me forward. Read More>>

Freda Johnson

I’ve learned to be effective—even when I’m the only one in the room who looks like me—by leaning into my communication skills, my confidence, and my discipline. I’ve always been social and open; I rarely meet a stranger. I believe in sharing my story authentically, because that’s where connection and impact begin.

One of the most defining parts of my journey started with something I once resisted. My mother encouraged me to learn how to make her old-fashioned pound cake, but I didn’t listen at the time. After she passed, it took me two years to master the family recipe. That process became about so much more than baking—it was about honoring legacy, building confidence, and developing the determination to step into something greater. Read More>>

Frederic Iido

Traditional Korean music is fundamentally different from Western music — not just in sound, but in how it’s conceived, transmitted, and expressed. That means our instruments carry a distinct energy and beauty that I’m proud of. But when trying to integrate this tradition into commercial or Western musical contexts, I often faced a heavy burden of reconciliation. Read More>>

Kate Knight

Where I might be the only one in the room who looks like me and does what I do, I’ve made it a point to seek out others who might share similar experiences—even if they’re not nearby. I live in France as an immigrant from both England and America, alongside my American husband, and there’s no one local doing quite what I do.

But I’ve found a brilliant community online—other fashion and knitwear designers—who’ve become incredibly important to me, both professionally and personally. Read More>>

Vaishali Joshi

Thankfully, I have learned that others may see you as the only one in the room – but I don’t ever feel like I am – I feel I belong quite easily. The one thing I think that has made me effective and successful is knowing how to belong to myself and still be completely accessible and open with others. This requires a strong sense of self-awareness, a humility that its ok not know everything and the courage to take risks i.e. step into the room believing they will love you anyway. Read More>>

Nahale Apiki Brash

I’ve learned how to be effective—and successful—even when I’m the only kānaka Maoli in the room. That very experience has shaped who I am. I know that many of my people don’t often look beyond the basic systems that govern the world. People who look like me are often expected to simply grow up, find a job that pays the bills, and work until retirement. I believe this mindset comes from a lack of opportunity—the chance to dream bigger and reach higher. Read More>>

Deme Fortson

It’s not an ideal situation but it happens more often than not being a marginalized person in society. Continuously taking care of my wellbeing helps, as in these situations, your mental health and wellbeing comes first. I’ve learned you should not force yourself to sit through any situation that is rigid, unwelcoming, harmful, or hateful. When I find myself in a room where I feel the atmosphere is supportive and curious, I lean on my unique personal experience. The first thing I do is actually acknowledge this out loud, even if it makes people a little uncomfortable. Read More>> 

Jovoni Trollinger

In many spaces I’ve navigated—college, corporate, and the arts—I’ve often been the only person of color in the room. These moments have brought challenges: being dismissed, underestimated, and overlooked, even when highly qualified.

But with perseverance, growth, and support from leaders of color—especially Black women and men—I’ve learned not just to navigate these spaces, but to lead with confidence. I’ve confronted imposter syndrome and now fully own my place.  Read More>>