Breaking Barriers: Succeeding Even When Representation is Lacking

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.

Ava Bianchi

I remember always being and looking different from most girls I grew up with. I always had these really thick eyebrows and I just wanted to conform and fit in. I was 8 and I started visiting the salon to tame my eyebrows so I could fit in. Read more>>

Ryan Houston

Thats an incredible question. Honestly it’s you realizing in yourself that theres a reason you’re in the room in the first place. There’s a reason you’re the only one in there because you’re special and to even get to that place where they called you in the room or came to hear what you have to say is because you are valuable. Read more>>

Maruxa Murphy

One of the gifts I’ve been given as a multiracial woman is the recognition that nobody fully knows how to place me. I leave a bit of enigmatic mystery when I come into the room because of how I look and how my name is spelled vs how most English speakers try to pronounce it. Read more>>

Megan Gallagher

I have learned to be successful when I’m the only 27 year old female in the room by believing in myself. I’ve had to believe in myself over & over again until I finally believed it. Being a female in the motivational speaking industry is challenging at times. I sometimes feel like it’s an uphill battle, yet I know my why and what I want to achieve. I never loose sight of my goals. Read more>>

Shuqi Li

As a young Asian woman, I’ve often found myself as the only one in the room who looks like me. In the past, I used to believe that I had to work much harder than others and mimic their behavior to fit in. However, as time has passed, I’ve seen the environment become more inclusive and accepting. I’ve also grown to appreciate that as an Asian woman, I bring a unique perspective and voice to the table. Read more>>

Terri Hitt

I love this question! As an 18-year-old mother, I remember the inadequacy I sometimes felt. Because I had my first daughter at such a young age, I was always the youngest mom in any group. Instead of welcoming me at activities or events, or helping me nurture my confidence as a mother, older moms ignored me. I felt alone wherever I went. Read more>>

Latasha Brooks

I’ve made it a personal mission to stand out in any room I enter, leaving a lasting impact wherever I go. As a government contractor in a predominantly male-dominated sector, I’ve fine-tuned strategies to thrive even as the sole representative who looks like me. Embracing my unique viewpoint has been instrumental, enabling me to bring fresh insights and innovative approaches to the table. Read more>>

Rose Mock

Early in my career (1980’s-1990’s), in the Scrap Metal Recycling industry, I was one of maybe 2 women in the room at our trade association industry meetings. I never saw myself as separate in any way. I am a credible scrap metal recycler engaging with my peers. Read more>>

Dionne Holt

When you think of fashion seeing a plus size black women is something that is not common and rarely seen. Historically high fashion has been marketed to what is now called “straight’ sized women size 0-8. So being a Black Women with a plus size luxury clothing line, being the only one in the room has become far to common in my world. Read more>>

Kevin Virgil Wallace

We all develop qualities, skills and areas of knowledge and I feel that it’s important to identify and build upon these as early as possible, in order to honestly assess one’s potential and find one’s way in this world. I have always been well-aware of my blessings and know that my entire life and career were built upon them. Although I found the world of my family to be wanting in terms of the realm of the arts that I read about in books, I know that I benefited greatly by exposure to my grandparents, parents, aunts and uncles. Read more>>

Antoinette Toni” McKay”

In the realm of the IT department, I found myself navigating uncharted territory, often the sole representative of diversity in a sea of faces. It was a journey that spanned not just months but five eventful years, an odyssey in which being assertive and strong became my guiding stars. Read more>>

Gwendolyn Osborne

After years of being in the modeling industry and sitting in casting rooms with SO MANY models that look like different versions of me, it’s actually refreshing at this point in life to be in rooms where I am the only one who looks like me! I come from a lineage of aspirational black women so I have had positive and brilliant representations all around me since birth. Read more>>

Michelle Kwong

Although we’ve seen a lot more diversity and inclusivity in film over the past several years, it’s still a heavily white male dominated industry. Being a woman and a racial minority, we are often overlooked or undermined in our abilities when it comes to positions of leadership or those that require intense physical labor. Throughout my career, people often doubted my physical strength and were surprised and impressed when I declined their offers to lift or carry something heavy and do it myself. Read more>>

Hailey Fisher

When I find myself being the only one in the room with my business type I get excited! I find myself realizing that the competition is minimal and I can achieve my highest potential by showing others what I have to offer is different and unique from those around us. My business can add just the right touch of entertainment to any event, big or small! Read more>>

Tanisha Nunn Gary

First, you must secure the seat, second, you must sustain the seat, and third, you must share the seat. Read more>>

Brittany Addison-Prescott

OOOH y’all started with a banger! The declarative statement in the question says it all, “HOW HAVE I LEARNED TO BE EFFECTIVE + SUCCESSFUL when I am the only one in the room like me.” That’s the answer to the purpose of my life. The purpose is to not only LOVE me in every iteration, but to also BOLDY “LIKE ME.” What a courageous act of rebellion. Read more>>

Dorian Alphin

Ironically this question and my height go hand in hand. I’m 6 foot 7 inches tall, the guy everyone generally says, “you can’t miss him” if asked of my whereabouts in a room full of people. Read more>>

Jeanette Greenwood

As someone who has experienced being the odd one out, I understand it can be tough, especially when you’re the only unicorn in a sea of horses. However, I know that it’s possible to rock your unique style and be a boss even when you’re the only one who looks like you.
First and foremost, it’s essential to believe in yourself and your magic. Read more>>

D’Shawn Harris

Recognizing that my uniqueness is the reason I am in the setting, It’s evident that each person present contributes significant value. While they possess their distinctive strengths that warrant their presence, I too bring my own unique qualities to the table. This acknowledgment underscores the importance of recognizing my self-worth and the confidence I hold in my skills and craftsmanship. Read more>>

Shawn Simmons

Working in a corporate environment at a global firm, I was often the only Black person in the room or on a team. To be honest it used to stress me out and give me anxiety. I would often feel like an imposter or that I needed to change who I was to belong in those spaces. Read more>>

Asmita Kerkar

Navigating spaces where I’m the only one who looks like me has certainly been a journey filled with both challenges and opportunities for growth. One of the key lessons I’ve learned is to embrace my uniqueness. Instead of seeing it as a drawback, I’ve come to view it as a strength that adds diversity to the room. Read more>>

Violet Grae

I walk into a room, with short colorful hair, violets tattooed everywhere, maybe a new piercing, and mostly likely have an even louder outfit on to match. I truly feel oblivious now to most stares, until I have someone next to me, family or partner, saying how do you deal with this everyday? I have always found that it is harder to try to unauthentically blend in, rather than stand out of the pack being yourself. Read more>>

Pen Ken

It starts with being fearless. Knowing that you have what it takes to adapt to any environment and people from different walks of life, than how you grew up. Then you have to make your gifts work for you effectively; because talent is only half the battle. Read more>>

J Chong

I love this question. I find that I am often the only one in the room that looks like me. And I think with those experiences I have learned to adapt. It was not always easy, it at times was very intimidating and still is. I think as I have matured, I have gained a lot more confidence within myself that has allowed me to be able to sustain myself in a room filled with individuals that do not look like me nor have they ever met someone that looked like me. Read more>>

Christopher Lewis

I am driven by the desire to see my vision come to fruition. Read more>>

Abrahim Berete

Every room I walk in I know I have a whole generation behind me being from west Africa (Guinea) it’s molded me to just understand that my people didn’t & don’t have it easy and it’s on me to make a name for us and put my last name on the map so every room I walk in i know I’m not only there for just me but I’m there to represent my country Read more>>

Nina Childs

Being the only one in the room was really a challenge for me when I was growing up. I attended a really prestigious, private arts high school that was audition only for admission and there were very few kids that looked like me. When I was younger I didn’t know any better so I attempted to assimilate. Read more>>

Jarrett MANIGAULT

Being yourself. I’m unapologetically myself everywhere I go. In doing so, I can focus most of my energy on being successful rather than fitting in. Read more>>

Manuela Seve

Being the only woman in various professional settings, I’ve encountered instances where I am judged for my gender. This only makes me fight stronger so that the generation after me does not have to endure the same sexism. Representation, women supporting women, and speaking out are key to change. Read more>>

Dominique McGee

Being the only one in the room: How have you learned to be effective and successful even when you are the only one in the room who looks like you? Read more>>

Chichi Onyekanne

One of my best friends said something to me that changed my life. He said to be “confident in who I was, and comfortable with who I’m not.” I know who I am, and I know what I can bring to a space. I don’t have to try and be anything that I’m not. Read more>>