Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Daleyna Adkinson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
DaLeyna, 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?
As a marketer, my passion for diversity, equity and inclusion/inclusive marketing was fostered in spaces with bosses, leaders and executives who looked just like me. Navigating how to confidently show up in spaces where I am the only one has been a tough skill to gain and honestly, something I am still working on to this day.
My first three bosses were black women. My first promotion was given to me by a black woman, a lot of what I learned and how to maneuver in the corporate environment came from these women. I believe they recognized my potential and while I was paid to do a job and perform at a high level, what these women also provided was mentorship. The conversations and moments beyond work that taught me the soft skills associated with navigating the corporate environment.
Based on what those amazing women instilled in me there’s a couple of things, I’d say are critical to navigating spaces where you are the only one who looks like you.
1. To thine own self be true. It can be easy to want to conform or play small to fit in. If you have a big personality, let it shine. If you dress differently, rock your most fashionable style and do it authentically and confidently. In my desire to fit in in some spaces, I allowed people’s opinions or feeling “too different” to influence how I showed up. When I did this, I struggled personally, emotionally, professionally because I was trying to be someone else. When I shined, it was because I was being my most authentic self. Don’t let environments or spaces influence you so much that you change the very thing that makes you, you!
2. Build A Trust Squad. In your day to day, you may be the only one in the room who looks like you but the rest of your life should be filled with spaces where you feel seen, supported and inspired to keep showing up. This is critical because there will be days you feel discouraged or like throwing in the towel and this is when your trust squad is needed the most.
Your trust squad should be made up of friends who hype you up, mentors who provide strategic feedback and guidance and/or family, who know and love you. Also, this should be a space where you can be honest and vulnerable. Build your squad the way you need but you should have a team of people or a person in your corner to balance what you say see and feel during your day to day.
3. Say it anyway. In one of my first executive positions, I would often sit in meetings and not saying – even though I was brought in as an expert. Being the only one who looks like you can be intimidating but speak up anyway. You were hired, selected and put in the room for a purpose. You earned it – so own it!
Recently, I interviewed for a position and I wasn’t feeling the most confident. As a minority woman, sometimes corporate environments can make you feel like your “TOO” – too strong, too smart, too loud. Knowing the hiring manager and team lacked diversity, I approached the interview playing small, deferring a lot to ensure the hiring manager wouldn’t feel like I was too big for the job. Guess what?! At the end of the interview, the hiring manager said I like you but I am looking for someone who can take control, set vision, has big ideas and make decisions. The hiring manager was looking for me and I was hiding. I let my insecurities and fear of being the only one in the room who looks like me, prevent me from fully showing up.
I called my hype squad and in true fashion they reminded me to take up space in everyone room I am in and to stop playing small. I am my best when I am my full self. They reminded companies want leaders and I am a leader.
And the next interview, I knocked it out of the park.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I am a multicultural/inclusive marketing executive who has built my career on creating diverse marketing campaigns for global brands such as the LA Rams, PUMA North America and Meta (formerly Facebook). The work has evolved in my nearly 15 year career – starting out as multicultural marketing to now being called inclusive marketing or DEI. Regardless, of what you choose to call it, it’s truly a growth marketing strategy that is bigger than race. Its about consumer intersectionality and finding ways to connect whether through cultural nuance or shared interest. Elf Beauty recently did a commercial for a new make up line and the commercial featured a girl with a face full of makeup to represent her favorite sports team! When has a beauty brand ever used sports to promote their product?! This campaign the perfect example of inclusive marketing. Women love sports too and make doesn’t have to just be used for traditional beautification. it can be used for sports too! Inclusive marketing finds white spaces for brand growth and unlocks new audiences. Often times those audiences are diverse, but it truly doesn’t have to be. That is inclusive marketing.
My passion for this work has resulted in me also releasing a book called, Unseen: The Hidden Value of Inclusive Marketing. I like to say it is your passport to a marketing revolution. Say goodbye to one-size-fits-all strategies and embrace the untapped power of inclusivity. This concise guide is a rich resource, brimming with tools, case studies, and invaluable insights. In it, you can learn the secrets to identifying diverse, unseen audiences and forge authentic connections. Infuse these insights into your campaigns, crafting compelling narratives that resonate and drive substantial business growth.
Whether you’re at the helm of a Fortune 500 company, occupying a C-suite position, leading a dynamic marketing organization, or venturing into entrepreneurship, Unseen is your indispensable companion. Let it be the catalyst for redefining success in the ever-evolving landscape of inclusive marketing.
You can get a copy of it today, at https://bookboon.com/en/unseen-ebook
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Narrowing this list down to three is so hard but here are ones that first come to mind for me.
1. Having a clear vision. I’ll be honest as this is a double edged sword in that some times you honestly don’t know. But once I got clear about who I was a woman, professional, friend, daughter, establishing boundaries and direction became easier. Vision is I want to work in marketing. Clear vision is I want to do brand marketing for a national sports team. When your vision is clear, you can ask for help, turn the wrong opportunities and identify the right ones.
2. Try to find the solution but don’t be afraid to ask for help. I am the queen of figure it out for myself but sometimes I need help and that requires vulnerability. I have found it’s ok to not try to do everything on your own and when I have had a vision, asking for help could turn that vision to a clear vision.
3. Give every moment your best because you never know who is watching. Recently, I received an award from an industry executive who saw work I had done at an event earlier this year. The person was so impressed with that they had seen and how I showed up and recognized me for something that happened the year before. You never know who is watching or what kind of impression you may have on them. So seize every moment and at every chance give it the best you’ve got! And while I share the good, I will be honest, there are times I didn’t give my best and missed on on amazing opportunities because I didn’t show up. Don’t make that mistake. You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression.
Honorary mention: Stay curious. Industries change so much and so quickly. Stay curious about your field, follow industry leaders so you can abreast of latest trends and insights and network! Network not only with higher ups but also people at your level. You never know when or how you may cross paths with someone along your journey.
Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
I love reading! Each year, I set a goal to read a certain number of books. In 2023, my goal was one book a month. Last year, with the help of audible, I read/listened to almost 20. This year, I want to double that! I wouldn’t mind a partnership with Audible to help seal the deal!
I can’t give just one! Two books that I absolutely love are The Alchemist by Paul Coelho, I read this at least twice a year. Sometimes even more. It’s a story about purpose, vision, taking a chance, resilience. The most transformative piece of advice in this book for me, is your life’s purpose will be given to you and many will not understand it, but chase the vision anyway. The journey won’t be linear or perfect but it will definitely be worth it.
The other book, I love and that changed my life is The Saint, The Surfer and the CEO by Robin Sharma. It’s truly a book about finding your happiness and recognizing that there’s only three things that truly matter: whether one has lived wisely, loved well and served greatly. I read this book in 2023 while in Boston and after finishing it, it inspired me to ask my boss to move back to LA.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://iamdaleyna.com
- Instagram: iamdaleyna
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daleynarae/
- Other: Link to purchase my book: https://bookboon.com/en/unseen-ebook
Image Credits
Tishha Brenee
Will Navarro
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
