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.
Maestro Robinson
I’ve learned to truly embrace the “real” me, and appreciate being one-of-a-kind; but it took practice. In my formative years, and even in the early days of my career, blending in to the environment was somehow a fad. Looking back, selling ourselves short for the sake of blending in makes absolutely NO sense. Read more>>
Justin Meeks
I think it comes with time and experience but you have to learn to adapt . Being unique and different is something to be grateful for . So when you’re the only one in the room that looks like you i take it as an opportunity to shine and really showcase my personality and flex my socializing skills. Read more>>
Jerome Barkley
It’s a constant challenge being the only one in the room who looks like me. At first i assumed no one would get me nor understand my story and how that is an extension of my work, so i wouldn’t share a lot at first. Later on i would soon come to realize that the reason i am in certain rooms is because i come with a different perspective, background and experiences, which allowed to embrace being the one in the room who looks likes me. Read more>>
Nury Castillo Crawford
Being a first generation immigrant there have been many times that I am the only one that looks like me in the room. I have been successful by being authentic, while building relationships. I look for ways that we can find similarities and find ways to connect. Read more>>
Lex Luga
When I was younger living in LA, on 48th and Crenshaw to be exact, the exposure to multicultural environments set the foundation for me as an adult to be able to relate to anyone. You can never judge based on appearance or one’s environment. Not making assumptions has carried me far in my personal and professional life. We are all people. Read more>>
Mara Kore
Being the only one in a room that looks the way I do can be so stressful at times. Often, I get dirty or disgusted looks from people, but there are some people that are too curious to just stay quiet even if they disapprove of my aesthetic. Those people are the ones that change everything. Read more>>
Kellee Halford
During my freshman year of college I remember sitting in my English course and reading an essay about this topic, the instructor then had us write a 3 page reflection on the matter. I attended Howard University an HBCU in the heart of the nation’s capitol. Prior to that experience I frequently found myself in the position of being the only person who looked like me in a lot spaces. Read more>>
Gustavo Fernandez
Doing what you love. Success is personal, it is a relative concept that often fills us with anxiety, when you follow your passion and you are happy you are already successful, no matter what others think. Read more>>
Pasqualé Domain
Being the only one in the room having my likeness makes me feel that I am at an advantage. The last thing I’d ever want in any setting would be to “fit in”, especially in my creative journey. I was able to branch from the mindset attached to belonging once I developed a passion for abstract creation, that could only be brought about through my own perspectives, interpretations, and overall enjoyment. Read more>>
Grant Hao-Wei Lin
That’s a really good but also tough question, but to answer it simply – I learned to be effective in an environment where I am the minority by cultivating resilience and hanging on to the ones who support me. Film and media in America are dominated by cis white men. To be a queer Asian man in America, it is often hard to tap into this very heavily network-based industry. Read more>>
Gloriemar Roberto
Ive found out that if i just be myself that success will follow. I find strength in individuality, and comfort in Authenticity, which allows me to speak my voice and remain myself no matter where I go. Im a proud Puerto Rican artist i was born to create and express myself in many ways. I believe everyone has there own secret recipe that they bring to the table, and im still developing my own sauce. Read more>>
Kalene Parker
According to an article published in February 2023 by outsideforcefitness.com, the demographics of personal trainers in the U.S. are 63% male and 77% white. Women make up 36% of personal trainers today and 5.7% of trainers are black. There wasn’t a break down of black female trainers, but based on these numbers I can only assume that number is very small. Read more>>
Jamelle Zablow-Moloney
Being the odd man out on a consistent basis can start to wear on our psyche, and build roots for imposter syndrome, low self-esteem, and recluse behavior. I’ve always dealt with this conundrum, which was compounded by only-child syndrome, but I was never successful at shedding this toxic view of myself and the world until I began to do my real work- my soul work, or some would call it my shadow work. Read more>>
Jose Rico
When I first started my career, I felt like an outsider because only a few people looked or spoke like me in the room. However, I decided to accept and embrace my identity completely. I began to see my background as a strength instead of a limitation. This shift in my mindset boosted my confidence and helped me appreciate the unique insights and experiences I had to offer. Read more>>
Holly Bills
We have all been in that exact situation to some degree. And admittedly, it can be intimidating, unnerving, or just plain uncomfortable. Add being an introvert into the mix like I am, and you would think the deck was stacked against being effective or successful. But here’s the thing—above all else, you have to remember that you were the one who was actually able to make it into the room. Read more>>
Gemini DaPoet
I have learned to be effective/successful even when I’m the only one in the room that looks like me by, “remembering WHY I do what I do and WHO I do it for”. As a black woman, society has always labeled/stereotyped us if we were too loud or outspoken. For the longest we’ve had to be careful when it came to having an opinion. Read more>>
Natoshia (Blu) Haley
The great thing about each of us is there is only one of us. As I have grown in who and what I am, I have found that being who you are is the most effective way to stand out. People are intrigued about what is different. It may allow them to see something withing themselves that encourages them. Assures them and sparks an interest. I find a way to be relatible and radiate positive energy that draws people in naturally. Read more>>
Hannahcamille Thomas
When it comes to the room, I take this as an analogy I’ve learned, which is to use a key in order to open a door. When opportunity meets preparation it births success. Giving myself boundaries, and guidelines in life has been an effective way for me to be successful in any room I enter. Preparing yourself is building your talents, disciplining your strengths and establishing growth. This doesn’t happen overnight but overtime. Along the way you’ll come across opportunities that allow you to then prepare yourself for success. Read more>>
Imani Vanzap
I feel that this encompasses alot of what my entire platform is about. The truth is, in this realm that we call life, we’re truly all living the same story. The details my change and there, but for the most part the path is still the same. That’s why movies have such a profound impact on us. We don’t have to be living the “same” life as the main character necessarily, but trajectory can feel the same. Read more>>
Red Rodriguez
As a gay Hispanic man, I have learned to be effective and successful even when I am the only one in the room that looks like me by embracing my unique perspective and leveraging my creativity. My core strength lies in my ability to be fearlessly passionate, and I have learned to use that passion to fuel my desire to learn and grow as an individual. Read more>>
Keith Jones
This will be my 18th year in education and 9th year in leadership. I am currently the principal of North Kansas City High School in Kansas City Missouri. It’s the perfect match of a diverse student body and a staff and community that is open-minded a ready for leadership that puts its students best interest forward. Read more>>
Niya Brown
Being the only one in the room who looks like me has been both a challenge and an opportunity for growth. Over time, I have learned to navigate these situations with grace and confidence by focusing on a few key principles. Firstly, I embrace my unique perspective and value the diversity that I bring to the table. I use my voice to share my ideas and insights, knowing that my perspective is important and can contribute to the collective success. Read more>>
Yun Liu
I believe self-awareness and perseverance are the most important traits that can help me navigating through such difficult times. Staying different from others is never easy, especially during school time when everyone around you does the same thing. When I was in high school, most of my classmates studied regular coursework extremely hard for the college admission tests. Read more>>
Leya Lowery
Growing up my mom had a lot of friends whom all came from different backgrounds as did I. I got to see and be around so many different people with different types of personalities, style, and beliefs. I believe that this helped shape me into who I am today and taught me that it doesn’t matter what you look like, what matters is how you treat the people around you. Read more>>
SunAh Laybourn
Being Asian American and growing up in the South and now being back in the South, there have been and continue to be many times where I am the “only one.” This is compounded by the fact that we, as a nation, know very little about Asian America’s past and present, and what we do know has often been a misrepresentation of the vast richness, struggles, and contributions of Asians in America. All to say, though I am acutely aware of how I might be perceived or even misperceived, I do not allow that to stop me from showing up as my full self. Read more>>
Robert Parker
I’ve learned throughout my Journey to be that One in the room you must be Yourself First and Foremost. Once you’re comfy with being yourself you can be comfortable in the presence of anyone. The other part is knowing your skill sets and knowing information about what it is you do or are doing. Read more>>
Heather Hukari
I’ve been a video professional for over 20 years. As a female, it’s been impossible not to noticed that the industry has been male dominated that entire time. My first job after college was at an ad agency where I edited car commercials with a team of 5 other editors…all male. Being the new kid AND the only female, I put my head down and worked hard. Read more>>
