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.
Vernicia McDowell
If I had to find one word to describe my journey of Co-Founding a top real estate team in th Carolinas as a Black woman, I’d go with “honor” ― not your typical honor, but more of an alienated honor. An “I’m literally the only person in the room with this hair texture and this skin color” honor. An “I’m representing an entire race of people” honor. How I am perceived matters. Read more>>
Jazmyne Jazz” Citizen”
I’ve always focused on delivering the highest quality in everything I do. Excellence speaks for itself and earns respect, regardless of background. By consistently providing top-notch baked goods and exceptional customer service, I’ve built a reputation that transcends any initial perceptions based on my appearance. Read more>>
Apoorva Choudhary
In a world where diversity is increasingly celebrated, navigating spaces where one stands out can be both challenging and empowering. Being the only one in the room who looks like you often prompts introspection and a journey towards self-discovery. I’ve learned that embracing my uniqueness and presenting myself authentically is not just important for personal fulfillment, but also for effectiveness and success in any setting. Read more>>
Israel Harris
In elementary and middle school, I was one of the very few kids of Color. My skin tone was darker than most, and that’s the extent to which I thought about being “different”. Ok, so my history teacher did call me by the name of the only other Hispanic, Brown student in my middle school, and my parents recounted numerous stories of people being confused why a Brown child was around white parents, but only now do I look back and remember more. Read more>>
LaShawn Williams
I remind myself, and others, but primarily myself that we all have things in common. We all want, generally, the same – or very similar – things in life. We want to be listened to, believed, heard and understood. I try to listen to what’s being said and what’s not being said. I also, at times, listen for what’s safe to proceed with doing. Read more>>
Tionel Anderson
Being the only one in the room that looks like me sounds like me acts like me even walks or even talks like me. It reminds me that I have something that no one else in that room has and I see that always as an advantage never as a disadvantage. Read more>>
Gaura Jha
Being a woman, it’s not uncommon to hear, “try not to think with your emotions. Read more>>
Leandra Witchwood
My individuality is driven by my intention. From the beginning I have been driven to offer unique, high-quality products and services. This shows up in my tea blends, my packaging, and the extra touches I offer like individually crafted wax seals on each package. I have found that my customers want an experience to go with their expertly crafted tea blends. Read more>>
Steve Schuyler
When I launched JavaTwist which combines fruit juice and coffee everyone thought I was crazy. Not only is the beverage space very crowded but the drink is so unique and different than anything on the market. My passion for coffee and crafting unique beverages which I cultivated with my 20+ years as a barista drove me to launch my own coffee brand. Read more>>
Sirquincy Ray
I have learned to be effective through my ability to use critical thinking to find creative solutions in all areas of my life. Firmly believing in “if there’s a will there’s a way,” and using that motto daily. I love to find effective and efficient ways to satisfy a need, and to work smarter not harder. Read more>>
Aliyah Crump
When I first started my professional career, being the only one in the room was one of the first things that stood out to me. Initially, I questioned why this was and how I would navigate spaces moving forward. The first step of this journey of finding confidence in these rooms was building my knowledge in my field. Read more>>
Demetrius “Meech” Chavis
Over the years, a very important lesson my grandmother taught me as an adolescent; rings more true today than it did way back then. She would always say “when you close your mouth and open your eyes and ears – you learn a lot more.” Read more>>
Kylie Holliman
Being the only one in the room that may look like I do or have the experience that I do, I have learned to be effective by being open and accepting of others. As individuals, we have our own experiences and backgrounds that leads us to who we are and encourage the decisions we make. Read more>>
Shadi Karbasi
Growing up in Taiwan, not only did I not look like my peers, but I also did not dress like them. At a young age I realized that people can be so afraid to be different and tend to follow trends to be accepted, scared to be judged or bullied for being unique. Read more>>
MaChaude Lowery
Being sure of yourself, and your abilities; along with confidence, is key. You cant be focused on being the “different” one in the room. Possibly, you’re in the room because you’re peculiar. What is different about you, may be the very thing that is needed in that room. Read more>>
Kamilah Mitchell
Being my authentic self and being transparent of my values as a black woman and the value of what I bring to the table, has allowed me to be impactful in spaces that I belong in. Before entering spaces where I am the only one in the room that looks like me, I definitely ask the why of those bringing me in the room to ensure I am not compromising self or values, and use discernment when it is time for me to leave the room. Read more>>
Mahkari Gregory
I learned how to be effective/successful being when i’m the only one in the room in the room that looks like me, by developing myself when i’m the only one in the mirror. Being aware of who I am helps me bring light to other people in the room who wants to effective/successful that also may look different from me. Read more>>
Jade Wolff
I am a multi-racial, feminine identifying, generation- Z lighting designer, So I tend to regularly be the minority in a room. I am also very soft spoken so it’s hard to really push my self into the spotlight (no pun intended), but my creativity tends to be the aspect that people will immediately recognize. Read more>>
Nazli Brush
For this question I have a book recommendation. In “The Most Powerful Woman in the Room Is You,” Lydia Fenet offers insightful guidance on how to navigate situations where you might find yourself as the only one in the room who looks like you. Here’s how you can apply principles from the book to be effective and successful in such scenarios: Read more>>
