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.
Taelor Parker
Throughout my life, I’ve often found myself as the “odd” one out. For instance, when I began ballet at the age of 7, I was the only person of color in my classes. Shortly after, as I pursued competitive swimming, I faced a similar situation—again, I was the only biracial person on my club teams until I started high school. Despite these challenges, I achieved great success as a swimmer, proudly being on the varsity team all throughout my high school career. I never allowed the fact that I was the only one who looked like me to hold me back. Read more>>
Rachael Venema
I have learned that being my true, authentic self and being willing to push past my fears, that I have a gift of connecting with people. I love getting to know people and hearing their story and what made them who they are today. I love sharing my story with others as well. I’ve learned even when I may be uncomfortable or afraid, that if I step into the uncomfortable – often that is where I grow the most because I learn things about myself that I didn’t know. By building true, authentic connections, I find that people are comfortable with being real and vulnerable with me. Because of this, they are comfortable with putting their trust in me to create their portraits of themselves and their family. It truly is an honor to build relationships and connections with my clients, that by the end of the process we have become great friends. Read more>>
Kathy Mangum
I used to be bullied growing up because of my skin color. Kids can be ruthless when targeting things that are different to what they are used to. I believe it’s all in your upbringing. After changing schools several times in my earlier years, there were groups that embraced my different skin color. I’ve learned that no matter what skin color you’re born with, kindness almost always out wins any heart. It’s up to us as the individual to keep our chin up and choose to let our light shine. Read more>>
Ernest Mitchell
My presence has the potential of suppress the room when I speak. It’s not alpha energy it just shifts the energy generously towards me. My attitude tends to disarm folks who don’t look like me and helps me navigate the rooms I’m in. Being culturally aware thanks to my mother exposing me to a wide variety of reading and different venues that didn’t pigeon hole me into being naive of the world around me. Read more>>
Patricia Segura
As a first-generation Latina artist, my journey has often felt discouraging. Being the only one in my family navigating the path to pursue my passion in the animation industry can sometimes feel isolating, especially when faced with a lack of understanding or support. There are many moments when I hear the words “keep it as a hobby” or “pursue something safer,” and those voices can linger in my mind. But despite these challenges, I remain purposeful to myself. I know, deep down, that this is the path I am meant to follow. Read more>>
Phoebe Liang
That’s such an interesting question. I think it really speaks to the core of what it means to navigate unique spaces. One Confucius quote sums up my perspective perfectly: “Walking among three people, I find my teacher among them. I choose that which is good in them and follow it, and that which is bad and change it. My cultural instincts, years of experience in the ever-evolving fashion industry, and an openness to the brilliance of others have taught me to see growth opportunities everywhere. No other is the same. So from whom I can learn and excel. Read more>>
Ian James
From a young age, my parents stressed the idea of “Black Excellence” and always putting your best foot forward, especially around those outside the black community. My mom especially would drive this idea of excellence into my upbringing and that I would have to work twice as hard to get half of what mainstream white society would get. Growing up, I mainly attended predominantly white schools, and I had it in my mind that I had to be the best to counteract negative stereotypes. I held those ideas with me into adulthood when in spaces where people do not look like me. Over the past few years, I have learned not to be excellent in spite of others but to be successful for myself and my happiness. Read more>>
Donovon Alexander
For the most part, I have always been used to being different. It started at a young age when I started expressing my love for the arts while being apart of a sports-oriented family. So being the only one has been something I’ve been used to my entire life. I have learned to use my uniqueness in my best benefit by being a person of substance, depth, and being intellectual. Being a person that exudes positive energy and kindness will captivate people’s attention- especially if you look good! Ultimately I’ve learned to use my beauty and brains to work the room. Read more>>
.moonflower.
I am often the only one in the room who looks like me, whether it be because I mostly work in a male-dominated field or because I’m navigating spaces often reserved for white people. Despite feeling like an alien no matter where I am at, my authenticity is where I find I’m most effective in leaving a long-lasting impression on others. At my core, I only care about doing my best. Someone else in the room has more experience than me? Great! I’d love to observe and learn from them! Someone else in the room trying to diminish my accomplishments? Great! Now I know who to avoid! I think what makes me the most successful is my unrelenting desire to try and try again. But no matter how many times I am willing to try, each time I will do it the way that feels the most authentic to me. I only want genuine people around me, therefore I always show up exactly as I am and if no one in the room looks like me, I have no problem letting them know they’ll never come across another me again. I have made peace with being a diamond in the rough, one-of-a-kind, etc. Read more>>
Kimberly Clark
I’ve often found myself as the only African American woman in the room. From corporate boardrooms to entrepreneurial events, it’s a pattern I know well. But I didn’t come to blend in—I came to stand out. Growing up, my mother always told me, “Kimberly, when you walk into a room, you carry the legacy of queens before you. Stand tall.” Those words became my foundation, a reminder that I have a purpose and a presence that deserves to be acknowledged. With bold dreams of transforming lives and empowering others, I’ve learned to navigate spaces where my presence wasn’t always expected—but my impact was always undeniable. Read more>>
Kay Cte
Being a woman in the male-dominated music industry has taught me the importance of effective communication, resilience, empathy, and staying true to my values. It hasn’t always been easy, but learning to articulate my ideas clearly, listen actively, and build strong relationships has helped me thrive. Developing a thick skin has been essential for handling criticism, but I’ve found strength in balancing that with empathy, which helps me connect with others and foster collaboration. Above all, staying grounded in my passion and values has guided me through challenges and kept me authentic. To women in the industry: your voice matters, even if you’re the only one in the room—stay true to yourself and take up space confidently. Read more>>
V Fuchs
I’ve always walked into a room with the mindset of being an example for others and showing people who are like me that they are allowed in rooms that typically are closed off. It’s taken me time to gain confidence in my skills and who I am, but now I know that I’m good at what I do and I have earned my place in the rooms that I find myself in. It’s all truly about confidence the whole “fake it till you make it” is real, if you act like you belong in a room you will slowly begin to believe it yourself. Being the only one in the room is also a key way to make yourself stand out, you can use it to your advantage to make your name & face stick among a room of people who look the same. Read more>>
Liz Nonnemacher
I have never ever wanted to be someone other than who I am. However, in my past, I have been told either outright or in a subtle way, that I should be more like so and so or do something different. I’ve always thought outside of the box and stayed with my inner feelings which led me to create my own business in 2006 with no experience in doing so. None. I had no experience with having a business. I had to look to the leader – which was myself. It’s really about being comfortable in your own skin and staying with what feels right for you….and your life….rather than looking at what someone else is doing. Read more>>
Linda Ternoir
Being effective and successful is a blossom that was seeded at my core. All the world influenced and persuaded the young seedling, encouraging it to move in certain ways and in suggested directions. I recognized that alertness and awareness were essential survival skills. I learned to distinguish the genuine from the disingenuous.
All of the arts won my heart, my imagination, and my enthusiasm. My core knew their importance. My natural, gift, talent, and passion for making art, has nurtured the seedling slowly and carefully.
I was forced to fortify myself from my first birth. Perhaps, even before that. I grew up wearing the a heavy seed coat. Continuously creating protection from the assumptions, presumptions, denials and overt attacks. Read more>>
Diana Delgado
I’ve learned to be effective by living in my own world. I keep my circle small because who you surround yourself with is the influence you get. Me personally I don’t like being in crowds I like my alone time it’s when I can really concentrate and bring out these amazing looks i create. I am my own competition and I think that’s how I’ve been able to be successful because I don’t need approval from no one but myself. Read more>>
Alexis Noble
From a young age, I felt like an outsider—with people who looked like me and with those who didn’t. I was always going against the grain, challenging the trends and norms that surrounded me. I was the kid, and later the adult, who wanted to be ahead of what was to come, even if it meant being the only person doing it. This mindset often placed me in uncharted territory. Whether it was pursuing unconventional ideas or stepping into rooms where no one shared my background or experiences, I found myself standing alone. But rather than being intimidated by isolation, I embraced it. It became my strength, a marker of my willingness to innovate and push boundaries. Read more>>
