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.
Shala
Well, I think being a Black eccentric in America gives you a lot of practice standing out, even among other Black people. You know the saying, ‘If you’re lucky enough to be different…’? I embraced that way early on, maybe as a way to confront and challenge the bullying. Funny how it’s called ‘bullying’ now. You get used to being an outsider everywhere, so being Black in White spaces becomes almost irrelevant. Honestly, I found the weird White kids and multicultural hipster spaces way more comfortable after that. It taught me that fitting in with the misfits actually fit me best. Read more>>
Monique Miller
Being the only one in the room that looks like me has been both a challenge and a strength. At first, it felt isolating, but I’ve learned to turn that into motivation. I remind myself that my perspective is unique and valuable, and I bring that energy into every room I enter. Read more>>
Savannah Rivers
As a Black Woman, it is not unfamiliar for me to be the only black person, or woman in a space so I have learned to only speak on my own personal experience, as well as honoring the generation of audacious women I come from. Read more>>
Patricia Tiffany Morris
A: I learned at a young age I was different. I loved school and all the activities outside of the home. It was there I immersed myself in academics, the arts, and the sciences. Apparently, I was one of few students who excelled in both the arts and science. My favorite studies involved both math and creativity. I won awards in math, science, engineering, woodworking, and poetry and art. Mechanical drafting and physics classes had an entirely different group of kids than my ballet and drama and creative writing classes. But in both areas, I didn’t mind that I was successful. But I found relationships challenging. Not fitting into a box mattered until I went to Iowa State University. Read more>>
José Valle Jr
My parents and I left our home in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and immigrated to the United States when I was just seven years old. We moved to a small town dab smack in the middle of Republican Utah. We were double minorities: ethnic and religious. It wasn’t all that bad though, growing up where I did gave me the opportunity to have a beautiful cookie cutter childhood, with great friends and great memories. But from a young age I was acutely aware that I was not like everyone else around me…I stood out. I looked differently, believed differently and thought differently. Read more>>
Lisa M. Landry
Everyone is created in the image of God, so if God is love, then people are love. I was taught never to judge someone based on their uniqueness. When I see my reflection in the mirror, all I see is Lisa, not my ethnicity or gender, only Lisa. When you see the world through rose-colored glasses, you fail to realize there are categories created to cause division. Upon entering the workforce, I didn’t understand the impact of being the only one in the room that looked like me. As I progressed in my professional career, I was in for a rude awakening. Read more>>
Bashir Aden
There is a power in standing out. While, forming a community is essential to my work, there is a power in telling your story for your perspective. As a Somali filmmaker in Chicago, there aren’t many peers fron my own culture in the industry, so I am often the only one in the room. However, I love sharing my culture & story to the world regardless of hesistation. This is a deeply important tool for me. Read more>>
Ashkan Roayaee
As someone who has navigated environments where I was the only one in the room who looked like me, I’ve learned that success often comes from being confident in my unique perspective and bringing authenticity to the table. I’ve found that embracing my background and experiences has allowed me to contribute in ways others might not have thought of. Additionally, I’ve worked on building strong communication skills, understanding the value of listening, and finding common ground with others, which has fostered mutual respect. Read more>>
Jenika Mccrayer
As a Black woman, I’m used to being the “only one in the room” that looks like me. I used to be in a male-dominated career (policy), I’m a competitive powerlifter– a male-dominated sport, and horror, a male-dominated (and often chauvinist) counterculture.
Being the only black person and/or woman in the room is unacceptable to me. I consider myself effective and successful only when I point that out and encourage change. I hope my presence brings about change or inspires others like me to be in the room with me. Read more>>
Angel Turner
One strategy I have found helpful in these situations is to focus on my skills and abilities. Instead of feeling self-conscious about my appearance, I remind myself of the unique experiences and perspectives that I bring to the table. By focusing on what I have to offer, rather than what sets me apart, I am able to approach challenges with confidence and resilience. Read more>>
London Dior
By being myself authentic self , it’s not about whose in the room it’s about making them snap there necks as I come in , and you do that by focusing on you and making sure you’re well on all spectrums , mentally emotionally , physically and most importantly professionally. Read more>>
Pujita “pj” Tangirala
When I began my career in music as a concert photographer in 2022, reality hit me very quickly: I was almost always the only woman backstage. That feeling became a constant as I navigated the music industry. Being the only woman in the room often means constantly asserting myself, demanding the same basic level of respect that’s automatically granted to my male counterparts. It’s exhausting, but it’s a fight I’m absolutely committed to. I do it for the women who came before me, who didn’t have the same opportunities, and I do it to pave the way for the women who will come after. Read more>>
Mia Wenjen
I think it’s important to set personal goals and know that it’s okay to start at the beginning when you are bad at something. Being the only one in the room that looks like me is definitely something that I notice, but I don’t let it become a factor in terms of how I interact. It’s more about being my authentic self than representing my race or culture. And being humble but confident. Read more>>
Brigham (they/them) Mosley
Oh goodness! What even IS success?! I think the truest truth to this question is radical acceptance that, for me as a trans person, there are rooms and spaces and people who just aren’t going to “get” me – and that used to hurt and frustrate me – and a younger version of me was all about Teaching and Educating and Being An Example but now I realize that that was centering all my decisions on others’ perceptions. So now there is a freedom in knowing that there are people and places that aren’t super interested in me (and those people and places aren’t usually people and places I’m interested in being affiliated with!). So now I’m led by “what feels good?”, “what feels exciting?”, “what do I think the universe is presenting for me?” – and those tend to be the greatest experiences! It’s when you’re forcing things that those things tend to feel forced, right? Read more>>
Olivia Lyon
When I am playing a show, a lot of the time I am the only trans person in the venue. Of course, sometimes there are other trans artists who are performing, and there are other trans people in crowd, but that’s not usually the case. It can be discouraging to be alone in a room in that way. What I’ve learned is that being the ‘performer’ frees me. A stage allows me to be anything, it’s a new dynamic, and an audience sees the performer with new eyes. Being the only person who looks like you can be alright, you can stick out, you can get people’s attention — which is usually, in performing arts, a good thing. If people stare at you, that’s the point — you’re onstage. The fear is flipped upside-down. Being different becomes a strength, and you have the opportunity represent people like you. Ultimately, I focus on the quality of the performance, on doing the job well, that’s what works best for me. Read more>>
Marielle Stobie
I’m someone who has never quite felt like I fully fit in anywhere. Over time, I’ve learned that when I find myself as the “only one in the room,” I have two choices:
I can shrink, feel like an outsider, and make myself small to avoid standing out.
Or I can recognize that I’m in that room for a reason.
Whether it’s because someone saw value in what I bring to the table or because life has put me there to learn, grow, and contribute, I’ve chosen to embrace the latter. This mindset shift has opened doors and revealed opportunities where I would have otherwise only seen obstacles or exclusion. Read more>>
Kim Mccullough
Navigating spaces where I am the only one who looks like me has been both a challenge and an opportunity. My journey from teaching elementary school in Louisiana and New York to co-founding Cellar Beast Winehouse has taught me the importance of authenticity, resilience, and continuous learning.
In the wine industry, where diversity is still growing, I have found that embracing my unique perspective allows me to contribute meaningfully and drive innovation. My background in education has been invaluable, enabling me to create an inclusive atmosphere at Cellar Beast where learning and art unite to foster a distinctive wine culture. Read more>>
Kiara Di Paola
I’ve often felt different, even as a child. Growing up, I was always the one who didn’t quite fit in—the one who wasn’t exactly like everyone else. The way I dressed, the way I thought, and what I dreamed of. I remember being the only one who wanted to live abroad, experience the world, and talk to strangers. It wasn’t seen as ‘normal’ by the majority of my friends or people I knew, especially when you’re just 10 years old. I knew I wanted to leave Italy, and that my life would be outside the country I was born in. I remember being hurt and bullied a lot. Being the only one in the room that looks like me has been a recurring theme in my journey. For a long time, I struggled with these feelings of being ‘left out’ and not quite measuring up to expectations. Now, as an Italian immigrant, woman, solo traveler, and female founder, I often feel I’ve had to work harder than others to prove myself. But over time, I learned to use that feeling of being ‘different’ as an asset. Read more>>
Shauntrice Black
Growing up, my mother was the hood social worker. She never graduated from high school, but she was always connecting people with resources. Lights cut off? She knew someone with a generator. Car wont start? She could recommend a good mechanic. Landlord threatening an illegal eviction? She would have a mini protest and pro bono lawyer ready to take action. Witnessing that made me realize that regardless of who is in the room, my job was to bring more of our people in. I’ve served on boards where I was the only Black person, the only person who had ever been on food stamps, the only single parent. I’ve learned that only way to confront that is to call it out & bring more people in. Sometimes that means physically bringing people and sometimes it means advocating for research/products/services created by traditionally excluded groups. Read more>>
Jessica Lauren Johnson
As a real estate agent and a single mother, being the only one in the room who looks like me has often felt like both a challenge and an opportunity. I’ve learned to turn this into a strength by staying true to myself and focusing on the unique value I bring to the table.
One of the biggest lessons I’ve embraced is preparation. Knowing my market, being confident in my skills, and anticipating the needs of my clients ensures that I’m always ready to shine. I also lean into my ability to connect with people on a personal level—whether it’s listening to their stories, understanding their goals, or simply offering a perspective they hadn’t considered. Read more>>
Dominique Weller
Being effective/successful in a room where I am the only one that looks like me has been a challenge I have had to overcome on a personal and professional, business level. However, it is also a skill that has developed my character and has given Dolledbydomo a unique platform to empower others that may feel the same. Being mixed race, for a long time, created the feeling within me that I did not have anywhere to belong and that, in any room, I was doomed to look and feel different. Related to Dolledbydomo, I struggled with the amount of hair textures on my one head and struggled with accepting myself or finding my uniqueness beautiful; I often felt the need to hide. Being in a room with others that I felt might not accept me, I lost my self-confidence and sense of self. Read more>>
Oscar Starr
Being the only one in the room who looks like me has certainly come with its challenges, but it’s also provided me with unique opportunities to grow and lead effectively. Here’s how I’ve navigated these situations:
1. Embrace My Unique Perspective
I recognize that my background and experiences bring valuable insights to the table. I use my distinct perspective to offer creative solutions and innovative ideas that others might not consider. Read more>>
Carile Smith
I believe it is important to remember who you are and that God has given each of us a unique gift. Always thrive with the understanding that you are placed in any room for a reason. Read more>>
Fallon Jordan
I LOVE being in different rooms with different types of people. It starts with showing up to events that are a full-body “YES” and showing up authentically. Growing up an Honor Roll student playing sports AND being in beauty pageants conditioned me to think that my worth came from my academic and athletic performance and how I looked… by doing the inner work of loving myself for all that I am– simply for being here on Earth– I was able to live in a completely new reality. A natural-born leader and networker, I love meeting other people, hearing their stories or pain points, and providing resources they hadn’t heard of before. I’m the person people tell their secrets to and then right after say, “I can’t believe I told you that! Read more>>
Alice Shikina
I am an Okinawan-American and I grew up in southern Louisiana. There were very few Japanese-Americans there. The few Asians who I grew up with were Vietnamese. So, I normalized being the only one in the room who looked like me. I did not have any role models, but that also meant I did not have any limitations in my mind. I could achieve whatever I wanted to. Read more>>
Maya Salone
As a young African American woman, I’ve mastered the art of thriving in spaces where I’m the only one like me. I’ve adapted to being an extrovert when necessary and living in the moment. I’ve learned to expand my social circle, avoid overthinking, and focus on exploring, networking, and creating meaningful connections. Embracing my uniqueness as a creator and influencer has been empowering. Not conforming to traditional norms has become my strength. I’m unapologetically myself, and my confidence in my own skin is my greatest asset. Read more>>
