Optimism is like magic – it has the power to make the impossible a reality because it gives folks to courage and motivation to try. If there is one thing we believe everyone should guard with their life, it’s their optimism and so we asked some of the most optimistic folks we know to talk to us about how they developed their optimism.
Anita Thomas
Ever since elementary school, there were times when I was the only person in my class who looked like me. Kinky hair. Dark skin. Tall and lanky. Female. Not to mention a bit of a nerd. You could say there were times when I felt…awkward. Out of place. Read More>>
Aliyah Cornell
Being the only one in the room has been a familiar experience for me. From early on, I learned how to navigate spaces where my culture, my last name, or the way I speak set me apart. At first, it can feel like you’re carrying more than just yourself. You’re carrying expectations, stereotypes, and sometimes the unspoken pressure to prove you belong. Read More>>
Ashley Loute
I’ve spent most of my life being “the only one in the room.” The youngest. The only woman. The only person of color. The only one who didn’t grow up with a safety net. The neuro-spicy one. At first, I thought it was a disadvantage. A barrier I had to push through quietly. Read More>>
Romaine Waite
At first, I thought being effective meant adjusting or proving I belonged. Over time, I realized success in this industry comes from preparation and clarity. When you’re prepared and grounded in your choices, the work speaks for you. I learned to see my background and perspective as assets, not obstacles. Especially during the casting process. They don’t just need someone who fits they need specificity. Read More>>
Maurice Moreno
Always being the tallest kid in class in school, I was always uncomfortable anywhere. Being a self defense martial arts, jiu jitsu showed me that you can only count on yourself. Jiu jitsu gave me the skills to protect myself against way bigger and skilled opponents. That mindset gave me the power to be able to go and do anything. Read More>>
Faith Freeman
Growing up, I struggled with finding and maintaining friendships. It may not have been all about me being black or being a woman, at least as far as I knew — but I wouldn’t be surprised if it was a factor at some point. Read More>>
Marquitta Beasley
I’ve been the darkest person in the room everywhere I go since a child . I’ve learned to not be exactly what I look like or what they expect . Read More>>
Nishant Mehta
I wasn’t a race until I came to America. Growing up in Mumbai, I lived in a sea of people who looked like me. Same accents, same rhythms, same assumptions about the world. I never questioned difference because I didn’t have to. Read More>>
Zoya Salam
Being the only one in the room that looks like me, as a brown Muslim young woman, has shaped how I show up and how I lead. While others may see this as a barrier, I’ve learned to view it as a opportunity and responsibility to increase representation and bring a fresh perspective to the table. Read More>>
Rajnarind Kaur
A woman. A South Asian woman. A Sikh South Asian woman. A Sikh South Asian woman who wears a dastaar and has an American accent. The famous Dr. Seuss quote about blending in screams Sikhi to me as we cannot hide our identity. Read More>>
Sabina Alcocer
There are many layers of contradictory feelings when you find yourself in a room where decisions are being made and you are the only person with your characteristics. It’s complex, emotional, and often heavy. When I’ve been the only one in the room that looks like me, a lot of thoughts arrive at once. Read More>>
Monica Johnson
Being the only person in the room that looks like me has taught me to unapologetically and authentically show up as myself, never as someone who’s trying to fit into someone else’s box where we’re so often judged and dismissed. People try to place limitations on people who look like me all the time, but we’re not misunderstood, we’re misrepresented. Read More>>
Justice Long
This is such a good question. To be honest, I use me being the only one in the room that looks like me as fuel to show up and show out. Often times, we miss out on amazing opportunities that could possibly change our lives for the better when we wait for validation or representation. Read More>>
Liza Bustillo
I had to study & understand my roots on a cultural and environmental level. It led to me seeing myself for who I really am and what I stand for so I can embrace the purpose I have in this world. When you build an unshakable bond with your authentic self and the mission of your spirit, everything becomes easy. Read More>>
Amy Miranda
I often joke about being on team ‘weird’ or coming from the ‘island of misfit toys’ but it’s a lighthearted way of saying I have experienced adversity in getting to where I am. First adversity was being a woman who wanted to be in a creative leadership position. As a female executive producer there aren’t that many examples in the media industry. Read More>>
Ruby Chen
I’ve learned that being effective as the only one in the room isn’t about pushing harder on conviction – it’s about creating clarity others can act on. I’m often the only art lead in rooms dominated by product, UA, marketing, or business stakeholders – both internally and at industry events. Read More>>
Cleide Klock
Being the only one in the room has taught me to turn what could feel like a disadvantage into a strength. As a Brazilian journalist with an accent, I learned early on that authenticity matters more than trying to blend in. Read More>>
Beauregard Elliot
I am Black , I am fat, and I am trans. Most rooms I go into, I will most likely be the only one who looks like me. So I have a lot of experience being in places where I am the only one who looks like me, especially because one of my many roles is being an opera singer. Read More>>
Tommie Guy
For a while, I worried that my age might be a liability. I wondered if young families would feel disconnected from me, or if my energy would come across as less “fun” and more “corny.” I’ve always been the playful one, the adult who jumps into the game, who can click with toddlers and teenagers! Read More>>
LaKisha Mosley
Being the only one in the room that looks like me has taught me how to turn what could feel like isolation into an advantage. I’ve learned that my perspective is not just valid, it’s valuable. I walk into those spaces understanding that representation matters, and instead of shrinking back, I choose to take up space. I’ve built success by leaning on three things: 1. Read More>>
