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.
Benga Tribe
I like this question; I see beyond me just being in the room with anybody like me. When I walk into those type of rooms and I begin to address something I am consistently reminded “everything is pulling me towards the greatest outcome” so I perform like it. Nobody knows who you are behind close doors and the many battles you’ve faced. I only see myself growing from my worst so I am confident in who I am and who I am becoming. Read more>>
Precious Kieshon Davis
Finding yourself in unfamiliar environments leaves a lot of room for self-doubt. Being the only one there with certain attributes can make it feel 10 times worse. Being in my early 20s, a woman, Black, and a mother among other things, I typically find that I’m the odd person out during conferences and industry events. Growing up I always heard adults saying “fake it until you make it” as a child I just thought it meant to keep trying even if you don’t know what you’re doing. As an adult I have a new appreciation for this aphorism. It means more than merely pretending to be good at something, when I fake it until I make it, I am making an intentional decision to carry myself with dignity, confidence, & competence….even if I don’t have it all figured out. The continuous practice eventually becomes second nature and before I know it I’m walking in my purpose. Read more>>
Salimah Scott
Salimah, so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room? Read more>>
Yalonda Owens
In the wedding industry businesses can be extremely friendly when one is the customer. I found that friendliness dissipated when I was asking businesses to be my customer (advertise with The Vow). Black women are often the customer and when finding myself as one of – if not the only- business headed by a woman of color confidence and self belief help assert my presence and gain respect from others. Expertise can help break down biases and preconceived notions. My unique background and experience offer a fresh perspective of solutions. The Vow promotes diversity and inclusivity within the wedding industry. We encourage others to recognize and value different perspectives and backgrounds. Read more>>
Spike Arreaga
Being a gay Latino alt rock musician checks off a lot of boxes and to this day I think I can count on my hands how many people I’ve met in that category. The people I’ve met who I do see myself in have always been incredibly inspiring and important to me. I think of tours in Raleigh and Alabama where I’ve met queer Latinx artists that either seem celebrated by their peers or completely ignored. Having conversations about this with them always recenters my focus on my crafts and staying the lane so I can be there for anyone that needs to see me take up space for them, ideally for them to fill in for me one day. Read more>>
Mārcy Mārcy
That was never a easy thing for me, I have been always struggling with my insecurities and anxiety, but there is a point in life where you stop a moment and literally could see what you are and the value of your person, this moment is important and must be kept in our minds. Read more>>
Emily Spiers
I define my own success. When I started my business, my goal was to create a simple product that anyone could use. I love hearing the individual stories of people who have started using my products and notice how much better their skin feels or how much healthier their hair is. In order to be successful, I started looking at the individual person and not the whole. I wanted each person who used my product to have a success with my products and be happy with their purchase. As time has gone on, I’ve been able to build a momentum of personal happy stories which, in turn, gives me a group of successful stories. Because I focus on the individual, I am able to engage in a way that gives people the opportunity to share their story in a meaningful way. Read more>>
Jeremy Jones
I love this question, as being the only African American/Black male is a situation I face quite often as a musician classical violist/violinist, Usually at orchestral gigs or sessions my colleagues are of Caucasian and Asian descent. This is not really something that bothers me any more, but it definitely took some time getting used to it. I think what has made me comfortable in these situations is to be a curious person. Many times people feel uncomfortable striking conversation, especially if they are not familiar with someones culture. That is usually the case for Black musicians in classical settings, as it is often rare, and many times the only knowledge someone has about Black culture is through media, which is a small piece of the pie. I usually cut through this discomfort by starting the conversation with a question or compliment, commenting on someones instrument or complimenting their playing. That starts us off on common ground that is easy to navigate. It also opens the other person up to ask you a question as well, giving you an opportunity to share a bit about yourself. There’s always a chance that the person is not so open, which is okay. Read more>>
Chrissie Prior
I think this skillset came from being a high school teacher with little to no prep. I was hired on August 19 and school started on August 21 in 2016. I was enrolled in courses for 2016-2018 to get my critical needs teaching certification but that wasn’t going to help in the near future. As I walked into the room, I thought a few things. The first one was, they’re just kids, they’ll be even more flexible and forgiving than I am. Then I thought about how during my interview process, I made it all the way through to this point. I was it. I knew the most. I had the best presentation. I had the best communication skills. I was what they needed and wanted, this was meant for me. I walked in with confidence knowing I knew more about the subject than the students and it was my job to create the environment to teach them so one day, they could be my doctor’s, nurses, etc. Read more>>
Chuck Aikens
Throughout my digital marketing and content strategy career, I’ve often found myself bringing a unique perspective to the table. This experience has taught me valuable lessons about being effective and successful: Leveraging unique insights: I’ve learned that my different way of thinking often leads to innovative solutions that others might overlook. I use this as a strength to drive creative problem-solving. Enhancing communication: I’ve honed my ability to articulate complex ideas clearly, especially when introducing new concepts or strategies. This helps bridge understanding gaps and builds buy-in. Active listening: I consciously try to understand others’ viewpoints, which helps me collaborate effectively and integrate diverse perspectives into our strategies. Read more>>
Cait Taylor
The world of shibari isn’t the most welcoming to or inclusive of bigger-bodied people. This was especially true when I first got into it about 10 years ago. Everywhere I looked, I saw nothing but petite femmes in rope. It would have been easy to listen to the message, “You don’t belong here.” But I knew I wanted to do this; it was my passion. So I fought for my place, and my following online has grown. Over the years, I’ve heard from so many other bigger-bodied people that I was the reason they decided to pursue rope: I was the representation they needed to gain enough courage to pursue this interest. Whenever I have doubts, I take strength from each of them to remind myself that I DO belong here. My size does not limit me, and I can do whatever the petite femmes can do. Read more>>
Christine Meyer
As a small business entrepreneur, almost all of the work is up to me. In a lot of cases, being a people pleaser can be a detriment, but not in my cookie business. Making people happy as well as satisfied with their order is always on the top of my mind. When that desire to find a shortcut or take a break creeps in, it’s overpowered by the desire to satisfy. There have been days where I have scraped the icing off of an entire set of cookies and started over. That said I am also careful to bear in mind that no cookie is ever going to turn out perfect. I do my best without being. over the top in decorating, regularly reminding myself it’s a cookie! Read more>>
Kelsi Biondo
Navigating the professional world as a young woman in the vintage reselling industry has been both challenging and rewarding. You may have been at a vintage market and came across a booth selling clothing; actually, you may have heard it before you saw it. The music blasting, the business owner tucked in a corner and if you’re not a man who looks like you can name at least 6 Nirvana songs – he’s probably not glancing up from his phone. Vintage reselling has become mostly a man’s game, so it’s easy to feel like you’re not included in the boys’ club. Early in my career, I found myself overlooked by customers and business partners who assumed my male colleagues were in charge. I recall a particular incident where a customer, despite my clear role, directed all questions to a less experienced male employee. To ensure you’re taken seriously, you must be educated, confident, and outspoken to succeed. While this is an ongoing lesson for myself, I also try to pass that lesson down to my colleagues and staff. It’s not easy but I have always been known as someone who isn’t afraid to speak their mind.. loudly. Success is defined differently by everyone, but success to me doesn’t only reflect in sales; it reflects in fostering a positive and comfortable working environment where everyone feels heard, appreciated, and happy at work. This experience has not only strengthened my confidence but also highlighted the importance of resilience in breaking through gender biases in the workplace. Read more>>
Arial Harper
One way that I have learned to be effective in a room when I am the only one that looks like me is to simply show up as me. I show up in whatever version of myself that I choose to be because anxiety doesn’t always come from that the room its about the pressure of feeling like you have to show up (code switch) as anyone other than yourself to be accepted. I always keep in mind that if the opportunity was presented for me to be in that room that means that I deserve to be in that room as my authentic self without the worry of acceptance or interpretation. One thing that I have learned throughout the years is that intention doesn’t overshadow impact, so regardless of who you intend to be people are going to perceive you in whatever 1+1 equation so why not just be you? Read more>>
Kate Storm
I love this question. There are many people in this world who don’t force themselves to do hard things. At the end of the day, the only person that really truly knows whether you’ve decided to WIN the day or WASTE it, is YOU. I grew up watching my Father work out. He would come home from the construction site, or come out of his office and go for a run and do a strength training workout with a set of dumb-bells, just about every day. It was always something I just saw him do, and figured that’s just what we’re supposed to do after a certain age. At 15 years old, I cut out all fast food and soda from my diet and began doing short jogs and 100 sit ups and pushups just about every night before bed. When I graduated high school, I joined a Planet Fitness and began learning the ropes about strength training and worked out every single day for 21 days to create a habit. I am now approaching my 36th birthday, and I can say I have been working out AT LEAST 5 days a week every since I joined that gym in 2007. I have had 2 beautiful boys, been married and divorced and remarried. I’ve had several different jobs, careers. Life has changed, A LOT of different ways in the last 17 years, but my workouts have remained consistent. I workout in the morning, always have. It prepares me mentally and physically for the day ahead. I FORCE my body to do the extra rep, run the extra distance. Not for someone else to know it, but for ME to know that I am capable of hard things and I WILL do them. Read more>>
James Lott Jr
My whole life I have been in situations where I was the “only” one in the room and that made me want to succeed. Growing up I was tested Gifted and some of the classes I was in, I was the only one in the room even though Everyone looked like me. When I moved out as a young adult and lived in other cities and got jobs and were in relationships, I found myself many times the only black this or first person of color that. I’m naturally an extrovert and striver. There were times the “system” tried to knock me down and out but I learned that a few knocks build character but STAYING in the game builds a life. Read more>>
Priyanka Paranjape
I have come to realize that everything is perception and that most of the time you have the power to control the narrative. When I walk into a room, how am I viewing the situation? Do I get imposter syndrome and think everyone in the room is different and hence more talented/deserving than me? Or do I go into the room with self-assurance and faith in my abilities? That is part one. Secondly, having a sense of confidence is important – knowing what you bring to the table is important. And this comes with experience. I remember my internship days in Mumbai, India in my late teens/early 20s where I was trying my hands at different things while pursuing my master’s degree. I explored advertising, journalism, television research, etc. I was working at a news station as an intern and was not at all trained to function in a highly demanding environment, especially something like broadcasting live news. This one time, I panicked and messed up and the superior called me out in front of the entire office – It was humiliating but when l look back at that incident, I take two things from it – one, it made me better at decision making in high stake situations and second, I ingrained that I should have the ability to show empathy towards my subordinates even in worst situations. Read more>>
Alaina Renae
I found myself in a lot of rooms where I was the only one that looked like me. I couldn’t let that stop me. When you see me, there are literally some things I can’t change (and no desire to). That is where self love and confidence comes in handy. I had to learn how to be ok with me and understand what God has for me is SPECIFICALLY for me. I know what I was meant to do, if you catch my vibe then you will know what I mean 💕 Read more>>
Laila Mckinley
After studying abroad in Costa Rica right before the pandemic in late 2019, I felt as though I had built a portfolio I was finally proud of. I started applying relentlessly to various magazines and every free and open call I came across, but to my dismay, was not accepted to one thing I applied for. It was mid-2020, and I was pretty uninspired, unable to go anywhere, and recently and deeply heartbroken. Laying on the floor of my moms living room one late summer day, I was thinking about how badly I wanted to publish my own work, and put my journalism degree and love of art to use. I decided on my own zine, Under the Moon Collective. I think at the time I was a little too shy to solely publish and boast my own work, and instead reached out to my colleagues from my journalism and sociology classes for their essays, and fellow artists I knew for their visual art to supplement mine. I completely laid out and edited it myself; the first one in Microsoft Word, then later upgraded my software to Adobe Indesign after a contributor and friend suggested it, opening up a whole new world of graphic design possibilities. I didn’t publish nearly enough of the first edition, which sold out nearly instantly, and was lucky enough to have the opportunity of putting the second and third editions into my favorite bookstore in Seattle, which too both sold out. Read more>>
Karla Prince
This is definitely something that I did not learn overnight, in fact, I do not think I have figured it out yet. But I try to pretend like I do. That’s it, that’s my strategy. As a first generation immigrant in LA, I learned at a young age that I had to have thick skin, and lots of confidence. That fake it ’til you make it type of confidence. As I got older and started building my career in mental health, I remember going to job interviews and telling myself “just walk in there like the job is yours”. Did I really believe that? No. Did most employers believe it and hired me 99% of the time? Yes! So then I figured if strangers can believe in myself, then I can believe in myself too! Read more>>
Davis DeWitt
Honestly, I would say the only thing that allows me to be successful is the very fact that I’m the only one in the room who looks like me. And it wasn’t until I started structuring my career around that very principle that I began to see real growth. I realized that by becoming the only person who could do what I do, I no longer had to compete for the ability to do what I loved. By focusing on building up my reputation as the only “Mad Scientist” everyone knew, I was able to become the first recommendation when something unusual needed to be built. This is especially true in the world of entertainment, and since moving to LA I’ve met hundreds of writers, directors, actors, and cinematographers. Each of which incredibly talented in their own right. But when it comes time to put a crew together, there’s a huge benefit to being the only person who does what I do. Now that’s not to say a niche career nobody’s heard of is the only clear path to success. Such a choice has its own set of unique challenges, and having to re-explain what you do for a living every Thanksgiving is just the tip of the iceberg. But even if a niche career isn’t for everyone, the idea behind it remains the same. Regardless of where you want to go, and who you want to be, success comes from being the only one who does it the way you do. Read more>>
Laura Cardona
I was so very often the only one in the room, and truth is – many times I wasn’t effective at all because I played small. I felt very “othered”, scared, and out of place. I didn’t speak up and the times I did speak up I was overlooked or dismissed. That built up a fury that made me work harder. I came in earlier and left later, not because I couldn’t get the work done in time but because I was always trying to get them to see how “good” I was….and here’s the thing- that method never worked. I became more effective and more successful when I stopped waiting for their approval and started approving myself. I began seeing myself and all the value I brought. I began seeing myself as the expert. I began seeing myself as the incredible asset that I was. And let me tell you, this method has yet to fail me. I work for myself now, so now I make sure to fill the seats around me with people that look like me, have similar backgrounds, goals, dreams of healing and building, and more importantly want to continue to fill all the damn rooms with people that look like us. Read more>>
Saloni Parekh
I’ve found that we’re more alike than different. I’m usually absorbed by the big questions that affect all of humanity, so the smaller differences barely register. Art is the reason I’m here in the United States, and my laser focus is on creating. I’m giving it my all because, honestly, if I wanted an easy life or perhaps life without art, I’d have stayed home where the food is so delicious and the rent’s cheaper! Read more>>
Natalie Mangrum
I’ve learned to leverage my uniqueness as a strength. Being the only one in the room who looks like me means I bring a different perspective and ask questions that others might not consider. This distinct viewpoint often leads to a mutual respect and broader discussions. Furthermore, I’ve discovered that not everyone is anti-diversity. Many people are genuinely open to learning more about me and are willing to offer their support. By focusing on these allies and fostering genuine connections, I’ve been able to navigate and succeed in environments where I’m in the minority. Read more>>
Kevin Henry
I have worked as a consultant and trainer specializing in diversity, equity, and inclusion for over 30 years. Often, I have been the only African American man addressing a totally white audience, whom I must engage and convince that embracing and promoting diversity is beneficial to them for professional and personal reasons. The key to engaging and keeping them engaged is finding common ground and finding a topic or experience that resonates with them on a visceral level. I frequently share personal experiences I have had with racism and then place the audience in my shoes, looking through my lens. Usually, they feel empathy and are willing to move further into the journey to see the world through the eyes of another and, in the process, reevaluate their own perspectives and biases. Read more>>
Hadil Hamam
Being the only one in the room who looks like me has been both a challenge and a source of strength. At 33, I’ve come to realize that life’s most profound lessons often emerge in our 30s. Growing up in the Palm Springs area, I was drawn to girly things—anything pink, cheetah print, lipstick, and the allure of looking like a Barbie doll. My journey into fitness in my early 20s taught me the importance of hard work and dedication, shaping my approach to life and business. Moving to San Diego at 26 was transformative. The city’s vibrant and motivated residents inspired me, and I knew I wanted to be part of that energy. My job as a cardiac anesthesia tech at a pediatric hospital was fulfilling, offering structure and the chance to connect with incredible people. However, my passion for the beauty industry grew stronger, and I knew I needed to pursue it to find true happiness. My father, a hardworking provider, instilled in me the values of dedication and perseverance. While I admired his work ethic, I also wanted a career that brought me joy and excitement—something I could look forward to every day. This desire led me to enroll in Esthetician school while working full-time. The journey was tough, especially when my father’s hospitalization coincided with my job search. This challenge, however, became the impetus for opening my own studio, a decision that required immense courage and determination. Read more>>
Freda Marshall
As the Executive Director of the Dunbar Pavilion and a 53-year-old black woman who has faced and overcome numerous life challenges, I have a unique perspective on leadership and resilience. Putting myself through school while balancing life’s demands was not easy, but it taught me invaluable lessons about perseverance, determination, and the importance of self-belief. In my journey to leadership, I’ve encountered and conquered many obstacles that could have easily derailed my ambitions. From financial struggles to societal biases, every challenge strengthened my resolve to succeed. These experiences have not only shaped my leadership style but also deepened my commitment to empowering other black women to pursue their dreams and achieve their full potential. Read more>>
