What do you do when no one else in the company or the meeting looks like you? We asked entrepreneurs and creatives from across industries and geographies to share their experiences and advice.
Shalandra Spragley
I’ve learned to be effective by being my authentic self and speaking from a place of experience speaking from actual steps that I’ve personally taken and overcome. Read more>>
Lynita Mitchell-Blackwell
Most of my life I have been either the only or one of the onlys in the room. And that “only” has shifted as far as definition: the only woman, the only African American woman, the only attorney and CPA, the only person married for an extended period of time to the same person. In each instance, I show up as my authentic self. Read more>>
Melynda Miles
I consider uniqueness to be a priviIege not a misfortune. Our society has unconsciously attached negative connotations to being different, but my testimony says otherwise. I have experienced being the only one in the room at such a very young age. Living in a gated community, while being one of the very few Black African American families in the community, it was not hard to go unnoticed! Read more>>
Hernan Parra
I believe in the value of my unique perspective and experiences. I’ve come to realize that diversity in thought and background is a strength, not a weakness. So, I don’t shy away from being myself or expressing my ideas, even if they differ from the majority in the room. This self-assuredness has allowed me to contribute my ideas effectively and showcase the value of diversity. Read more>>
Shannon Thomason
When you are confident in who you are and what you bring to the table, you never worry about who is in the room. You find your purpose, you focus on your purpose, you be divine in your purpose and you’ll forever be successful. God is amazing! God is an awesome God! He reigns over all the earth! Psalm 147:2. Read more>>
Jennifer Ebenezer
It took me a long time to realize that being different in any way from other people is actually a superpower. I do look a lot different than anyone in most of the rooms that I am in because of the size of my physical body. That used to get in my psyche and convince me that it was evidence that I didn’t belong there. I finally realized that I belong everywhere I am called to. Read more>>
Jamal Harbison
I grew up as a loner. Despite having 7 siblings I was the oldest and was not raised in the same household. Throughout elementary and middle school I was picked on because of my obesity. In high school, due to the loss of my dearest grandpa my family moved from New York to North Carolina. Read more>>
Katina Cunningham
This question prompts my perspective in several ways, loaded to say the least. I have to touch the question from a couple of standpoints: Read more>>
Kiana Webb
Being the only one in the room who looks like me has empowered me to embrace my uniqueness and leverage it as a strength. It has taught me the importance of authenticity, resilience, and confidence. By standing out, I’ve learned to amplify my voice, value diverse perspectives, and become an advocate for inclusivity. Read more>>
Preciosa (Prefer PJ) Janae
I’ve always been a people person. Humans are fascinating and I’ve never lost that curiosity. I don’t like being the only person in the room and in this day and age, it’s still crazy to me that it happens all the time. When I’m faced with that situation, If there isn’t a person in the room that looks like me or my fellow melanted folx, I’ll usually try to find the person that has the most genuine smile/eyes, or something that catches my eye (I love fashion). Read more>>
Zada Jones-Collins
This is an easy one..I worked for a very small unique non profit. I was the only melanin woman there . I spoke grammatically correct, business attire, greet others through the door and some times wore glasses. I recall the first thing coming out of a CO workers mouth was , here she come sthe angry black woman with the heels. Read more>>
Dawn Owens Ross
Well, if I am being honest and transparent, I am continuously learning to be successful in a room where I am the only one who looks like me because it is an ever-evolving framework. Despite existing within this framework for most of my collegiate experience, I was optimistically pessimistic that it would change in my professional career. It took me some time, but I dug in once I came to terms with the fact that I would need to be the woman I hoped to encounter. Read more>>
Yalan Hu
The best and most effective way is to own my identity. I was born and raised in China. I worked in the entertainment industry in many countries before I moved to the United States. Very often, I find myself not only being the only Asian woman in the room, but also the only non-American citizen. Because of that, even when I was working in a leading role such as director, writer, or producer, many people’s opening line to me was, “Oh wow, your English is really good!” Read more>>
The Mel Johnson
The experience of being the only one in the room who looks like you is often described as isolating and challenging, but it can also be empowering. My journey as one of the few Black food bank founders has been filled with ups and downs, but it’s also been incredibly rewarding. Trusting in God has been my anchor and compass, helping me stay focused on the mission He has called me to. Read more>>
Allison Creagh
When I started Thrive Motherhood, my first thought was what if it fails? I have to use social media, so everyone who follows me will know what I am trying to do and then they’ll be able to figure out if the idea fails. I had to get over this fear first in order to have the confidence I needed to look people in the eyes and explain that I was starting a non-profit organization for moms. Read more>>
Krishon Harris
When I first started in real estate I was only 20 years old. Being a young real estate agent, I had this limiting belief that people wouldn’t take me seriously as a real estate agent and they wouldn’t want to work with me. I used to try and wear suits every day and talk a certain way to true and mask my age from the world. I heard a quote, “People never question YOUR experience when they’re enjoying THEIR experience” and that couldn’t be more true. Read more>>
Tiffany Black
I have developed a comfortable connection with the authenticity of my confidence. There is no need for me to be anyone or anything other than myself. Once my clients sense that, there is a space in which mutual trust is created, and they tend to relax into their own authenticity. Herein a connection is born and I call it the safe space for open communication. Read more>>
Lena Adams
Consistency has been the main drive when it comes to effectiveness and success in my business and day to day. Being consistent even on days when creativity and drive have taken the back seat. My mornings consist of getting ready for the day, doing a work-out, watering my garden & playing with my two year old daughter. Read more>>
Reina Gascon-Lopez
My idea of success when it comes to being the only one in the room is leaving the door open for others. In that moment, I may be the only one in the room that looks like me but I know that by pushing boundaries and becoming successful, I’m able to bring others along for the ride. There’s room for all of us at the table, and if for some reason there isn’t, we’ll just make a new one. Read more>>
Grant Fuhst
As a younger person, this was difficult. Being and outsider always had advantages but it was also painful to not feel included in any groups in any situation. However, I tried to incorporate my perspective into my art and have always strived to allow for my unique vision in everything I create. Read more>>
Jazmyn Ray-Maynard
Growing up I have always been the “odd one out” the “thing that’s not like the others”. At first, I didn’t realize that I was any different, but as I got older and became more aware of the world around me, I realized I wasn’t the same. It may have been my height because I am only 4’11”. It may have been the fact that I was a black girl, growing up in a predominately white community. Read more>>
S.R.D. Harris
This is an excellent question! I have been placed in this situation a lot. actually. From a very young age, I grew up in a very small town with very little diversity. I often found myself being the only one that “looked like me.” As a child, my Daddy taught me to believe in myself and always put forth my very BEST effort. These principles have driven my strong work ethic and my ability to build my confidence and self-esteem. Read more>>
Sandra Porter
I understand how challenging it can be to be the only one in the room who looks like me. However, by being the only one in the room, clearly implies that I’ve made it to the room. With this platform, I am able to speak for those who cannot find their voices and expand on the knowledge I have. I’ve learned to navigate those situations by embracing my uniqueness and focusing on my skills and abilities. Read more>>
Pamela Parker
Being a female in the music industry, both performing & studio work (engineering & producing), I am often the only one in the room that is a woman. Growing up with an older brother, I learned how to be resilient in many different ways and stand up for what I believe, even when no one else believes me. It will always be a struggle to be the only female in the room, but what I’ve learned is so many people value my opinion, because I am the ONLY female in the room. Read more>>
Sterling Carter
Since I was young, I was always aware whenever I was in spaces that lacked diversity, or in spaces with people that looked like me. Read more>>
Sonya Hernandez
I understand that opportunities must be pursued. Every situation that I have been in that has been out of my comfort zone I approached it as an opportunity to learn, grow, and seize what may be. What’s different is often attractive to others and I’ve learned to use this to my advantage to make a lasting impression that has led to many unique opportunities. Read more>>
Faith Harris
This is an amazing question. One of the ways I’ve learned to be effective is to always advocate not just for myself, but for the other black women who aren’t in the room. I’ve known how it has felt to feel alone in a place where no one has the same gifts or is not the same color as you. Read more>>
Margaret Williamson
Being in Mens Fashion, I am often the only female owner and CEO in the conversations, and honestly it wasn’t until I was already about 5-6 years in did I even realize it. When we launched PRSVR in 2012, I had total blinders on – the kind racehorses wear. I had my eyes on my own paper and my efforts focused on our revenue goal. Read more>>
Selena Leoni
Throughout my journey in the world of film and multimedia, I’ve often found myself in rooms where my appearance and background set me apart. Being a transnational producer with roots in Italy and China, I’ve embraced the unique perspective this brings to my work. It’s this very perspective that has enabled me to be effective and successful in diverse environments. Read more>>
TANI RENEE
God has blessed me with being a real life Chupacabra. A genuine “one of one”, if you will. I have NEVER been in a room full of people that look like me. I have learned to use this to my advantage and give the people what they want, me. I am authentically myself everywhere I go and it works. Read more>>
Lemar Ingram
Being the only one in the room like me allows me to share a perspective that more often than not is uncommon. I know its my responsibility to articulate and clarify the perspective I have share with others like myself. It is important to have a thorough understanding of the subject matter and clearly articulate my perspective. Read more>>
Lashawn Dreher
I learned to remain true to myself at an early age. Growing up in a predominantly white town and being the only person, or one of a few, who looked like me brought an understanding of my power and voice early. I recognized the differences in treatment given to me and my peers as early as 7 years old. Read more>>
Brianna Albers
Years ago, when I first started my career as a writer, I felt limited by my disability. I was sure my condition would hold me back in some way, probably through overt ableism. But it turns out the real culprit was internalized ableism: what I thought about myself and my disability. Of course, there were setbacks I had to overcome, just like there were people who looked down on me because of my condition. Read more>>
Britney Butler
In the world we live in, it’s often said not to judge a book by its cover, yet the reality is that we’re all guilty of it at times. Over the years, I’ve learned to defy these judgments because of how others may perceive me based on appearances. Society often imposes the idea that conforming to a certain image equates to success, wealth, and power. Read more>>
Dr. Sandy Davis
This is such a loaded question, and an important one. I come from Puerto Rican parents, and while I was born in New York, where the Puerto Rican population is abundant, my family moved to Texas when I was young and this is where I grew up. Especially at that time, I knew no other Puerto Rican families, not to mention my physical appearance isn’t necessarily “obviously” Latin. Read more>>
Vilma Seeberg
I have learned to take my time to explore and understand the environment in which I am through lots of multicultural immersion experiences since very young. Once I have a good sense of how I can contribute to make that environment better, how I can help, what my resources are that could be useful in making it better, then I add my vision for the change and state my commitment to it. If that is welcome, I go to work painstakingly adding my resources where I can. Read more>>
Billy Guan
Naturally, I am a very reserved and shy person. I feel very uncomfortable and awkward in a lot of social situations such as parties or conferences where there are a lot of people I do not know. But I am also a networker and a professional so I can navigate those environments very well. It is just not something that comes natural to me. I learned how to flip the switch and turn it “on” when it is time to put in the work. Read more>>
