Meet Chandra Major

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Chandra Major. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Chandra below.

Chandra, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?

Being the only one in the room is something I’ve experienced most of my life, starting as early as elementary school in Dunwoody, Georgia, where there were very few African Americans at the school I attended. That feeling carried into my career, especially as I moved into corporate spaces and leadership roles in event operations.

Early on, I remember being in meetings where I was the only one who looked like me, sometimes the youngest in the room, and sometimes the only one from my team. There’s a pressure that comes with that. You feel like you have to prove yourself before you even speak, in how you show up, in every move you make. People are constantly watching, and it’s funny how quickly a mistake gets noticed but how quietly the wins can go unacknowledged. I used to hold back, overthink what I wanted to say, or question whether my perspective really mattered. It helped when I worked for more diverse companies and had African American managers, but those moments were few and far between. Seeing Black leadership in corporate spaces was refreshing, but there can be a stigma that comes with that too, a complicated dynamic that not everyone talks about.
There was a moment during an event planning discussion for a large conference where I had an idea that could improve the attendee experience, but I almost didn’t say anything. When I finally did, it shifted the direction of the conversation. That moment changed how I showed up.

The rooms I’m in still look like that sometimes. I’ve been in spaces focused on investing, on crypto, on real estate, on industries far outside my lane, not because I was supposed to be there, but because I was curious. I’ve always questioned the status quo and followed my interests even when the room didn’t reflect me. That curiosity has opened more doors than I expected.

One of those doors led me to a behind the scenes tour at SXSW and Art Basel. I was the only African American event professional in that room, surrounded by executives who run some of the largest events in the world. I got to ask questions, hear their perspective firsthand, and make connections I wouldn’t have made anywhere else. But beyond the access, that experience changed how I think. Being in rooms like that shifts something in you. It elevates your perspective, expands what you believe is possible, and pushes you toward an abundance mindset. You stop thinking about what you don’t have and start seeing what’s available to you. Those rooms don’t just open doors, they open your mind. That moment didn’t happen because I waited for an invitation that felt comfortable. It happened because I showed up anyway.

You can’t take it personally. Everyone is dealing with their own battles, and sometimes that’s just how people show up. Not everything in the room is yours to carry. Your manager’s bad mood, a difficult coworker, office politics, decisions above your pay grade, none of that is yours to fix. Letting go of what you can’t control isn’t indifference. It’s the kindest thing you can do for yourself. Emotional intelligence in the workplace goes a long way, and a lot of it is knowing where your responsibility ends.
What’s helped me be effective is not shrinking. I focus on preparation, understanding the business goals, the audience, and how my role connects to the bigger picture. I’ve learned you don’t have to say the most. You just have to say something that adds value.

I also stopped trying to blend in. What makes me different is what makes my perspective valuable. When I leaned into that, everything shifted.

Being the only one in the room isn’t always easy. But it’s taught me to trust myself, stand on my expertise, and take up space, not because I had to prove something, but because I belonged there all along.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I’m a corporate event planner with over a decade of experience designing and executing high impact events, from intimate executive experiences to large scale conferences and tradeshows. But at my core, I don’t just plan events. I build strategic platforms that drive business outcomes, whether that’s generating pipeline, strengthening partnerships, or creating meaningful brand moments that people remember long after the event ends.

What excites me most about my work is the intersection of strategy, creativity, and experience. I love taking a business objective and translating it into a physical experience that actually delivers results. Every touchpoint, from the environment to the programming, should have a purpose. It’s about intention, not just aesthetics. I sometimes call myself a magician. Clients come to me with a vision, and I make it happen. I see myself as a builder, someone who takes an idea from concept all the way through to execution.

I also have a gift for making people feel something. I’ve produced events that people still talk about years later, and that’s what drives me. Hospitality has always been my passion. Knowing how to make someone feel seen, welcomed, and inspired is a skill I don’t take lightly.

Beyond my corporate work, I’m building my own event consultancy focused on elevated, well-executed experiences. I work with clients whose missions I believe in, helping them bring their ideas to life and build their brand through intentional events. What excites me about this work is the same thing that excites me about all of it: going from idea to execution and watching something meaningful come together.

I’m also a real estate investor and angel investor, backing early stage businesses and underrepresented founders who deserve more access to capital and opportunity. It all feeds the same entrepreneurial mindset I bring to everything I do.

Right now I’m focused on expanding into curated high end experiences and investor focused events, spaces where intentional community and business growth intersect. I’m also passionate about helping small business owners make their companies shine through well executed events that elevate their brand. On a personal level, I’m continuously investing in my own growth, expanding my skillset and pursuing certifications that keep me sharp and ahead of the curve. At the heart of everything I do is a simple belief: events shouldn’t just look good, they should work. They should move the needle, create connection, add value, and leave a lasting impact.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back, three things have been especially impactful in my journey: strategic thinking, execution excellence, and relationship building.

First, strategic thinking. Early in my career, I realized that being a great planner wasn’t enough. You have to understand why the event exists. What are the business goals? What does success actually look like? Once I shifted from just executing events to aligning them with measurable outcomes like pipeline, engagement, and brand positioning, everything changed. For those early in their journey: start asking more questions. Don’t just take a task, understand the bigger picture. Sit in on strategy conversations, learn how decisions are made, and connect your work to results. I’ve been in environments where asking questions was actually seen as a sign of engagement and intelligence. If you’re quiet in a meeting, people may assume you don’t fully understand. Speak up, ask questions and make your thinking visible.

Second, execution excellence. Events are one of the few places where strategy meets real time execution and there’s no pause button. Being detail oriented, organized, and solutions focused has been critical. The ability to anticipate issues, stay calm under pressure, and deliver a seamless experience builds trust quickly. My advice: master the fundamentals. Create systems, templates, ask for help, and checklists that make you consistent. The more reliable you are in execution, the more opportunities you’ll be given to lead.

Third, relationship building. This industry and honestly any industry is built on people. The relationships I’ve built with internal teams, partners, vendors, and clients have opened doors, created opportunities, and made complex projects possible. I’ve also been intentional about plugging into the broader events community through organizations like CEMA, MPI, and NCBMP. Those connections have been invaluable. For those starting out: be intentional about how you show up. Follow through, communicate clearly, and treat every interaction as part of your reputation. Your network will often speak for you before you even enter the room.

If I could add one overarching piece of advice it would be this: don’t wait until you feel ready to step into bigger spaces. Get comfortable being uncomfortable. Do something that challenges you every single day, because as you go through this journey you are going to learn so much about yourself. Your purpose is often found in the process, and so are your weaknesses. That’s not something to fear, it’s something to embrace. The rooms that stretch you the most are the ones that shape you the most. And through all of it, don’t be so hard on yourself. Growth is not linear and every step, even the uncertain ones, is teaching you something. Stay curious, stay consistent, and trust that your skillset will catch up to your ambition.

What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?

When I feel overwhelmed I’ve learned to listen to my body and my mind instead of pushing through at all costs. For me, rest is a strategy, not a reward. Giving myself permission to pause is one of the most productive things I can do.

Travel is also a big reset for me. I’m a beach girl who loves warm weather, and there is something about touching down in a new place, feeling the sand, exploring outside and just breathing differently that clears my head and refills my creativity. Being in a new environment, experiencing different cultures and perspectives, shifts something in you. The moment my body lands somewhere new it begins to reset. I eat well, I stay present, and I intentionally leave work behind. No emails, no stress, no mental to do lists. Just me, fully in the moment. Some of my best ideas have come when I gave myself full permission to step away from the day to day.

I also protect my alone time fiercely. Being by myself, whether that’s a quiet morning, a solo walk, or just an afternoon with no agenda, allows me to reconnect with myself. In a career where you are constantly pouring into other people’s visions and experiences, you have to intentionally pour back into yourself.

Self care is not selfish. It’s what keeps you sharp, present, and effective. I’ve learned that you cannot lead well, create well, or show up well for others if you are running on empty. Rest, travel, and stillness are not luxuries for me. They are part of how I sustain the work.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: majorconnector
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chandramajor

Image Credits

Brenee Howell Photography
Mike D Shot Me
Zoé J. Richards
S.Marche’ Photography