Meet JoNita Cox

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

JoNita, 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?

Have you ever walked into a room and just known?

Nothing happened. No one said anything. But suddenly you’re aware of how you’re standing, how you’re sitting, how much space you’re taking up. You start clocking the room before anyone even notices you’ve arrived.

I don’t remember the first time I realized I was the only one in the room who looked like me. What I remember is what came after. I listened more. I waited longer before speaking. I paid attention to how ideas were received before deciding how to share my own.

When you’re the only one, you don’t really get to blend in. It can feel like whatever you say carries extra weight — like you’re representing more than just yourself. And whether that’s true or not, it changes how you show up.

So you adjust.

You learn how to read the room. You learn how to phrase things so they land. You learn when to speak up and when to pause. For a while, I was holding back. I was protecting myself. What started as holding back slowly turned into trusting myself and my instincts — knowing when to speak, when to pause, and when to let my presence do the work.

The shift didn’t happen all at once. It happened slowly, over time, as I stopped asking myself, “How do I fit in here?” and started asking, “What does this room need right now?”

Sometimes it needed clarity.
Sometimes it needed someone to name what everyone else was feeling but not saying.
Sometimes it just needed someone steady.

That’s when things changed. I wasn’t trying to prove I belonged anymore. I was contributing in a way that felt natural and grounded.

That experience — of being the only one, of learning how to navigate spaces not designed with you in mind — is what eventually led me to create The Visibility Lab. Not because I had everything figured out, but because I knew how isolating it can feel to move through rooms where you’re constantly adjusting yourself.

The Visibility Lab is about creating the kinds of spaces many of us wish we’d had sooner. Rooms where women don’t have to brace themselves before speaking. Where they don’t have to decide how much of themselves is acceptable. I curate experiences that bring expert coaches and facilitators together with women who are ready for clarity and next steps, but who may not always have access to those conversations.

Being the only one taught me how to listen deeply. It taught me how to notice who isn’t being heard. It taught me that leadership doesn’t always look like being the loudest voice in the room — sometimes it looks like shaping the room itself.

Today, through The Visibility Lab, the work is simple and intentional. We create spaces where women can show up as they are, speak honestly, and leave feeling clearer and more supported than when they arrived.

Because no one should feel like they have to earn their right to be in the room.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

At its core, what I do is create spaces where women can slow down, get clear, and feel supported as they figure out what’s next.

I’m the founder of The Visibility Lab, a women-owned events and personal development organization centered on helping women show up with confidence and intention — at work, in business, in leadership, and in everyday life. Through thoughtfully curated in-person workshops, group experiences, and virtual events, I bring together expert coaches, facilitators, and community voices with women who are ready for clarity, connection, and practical tools they can actually use.

What feels most exciting to me about this work is how human it is. The Visibility Lab isn’t about being louder, chasing attention, or trying to fit into someone else’s definition of success. It’s about creating rooms where women feel comfortable being themselves, asking honest questions, and leaving with a clearer sense of direction. I’m very intentional about who I partner with — from speakers and coaches to small and local businesses because the experience matters just as much as the content.

I often describe my role as a curator and connector. I love bringing the right people together and designing experiences that help women move from feeling unsure or stuck to feeling more grounded and confident. Sometimes that shift happens simply because they’re finally in a space where they don’t have to explain themselves or prove they belong.

Right now, my focus is on continuing to grow The Visibility Lab in a thoughtful way — blending accessible virtual events with deeper, more intimate in-person experiences throughout the year. There are new events and offerings on the horizon, all rooted in the same intention: real conversation, meaningful connection, and support that feels both practical and personal.

If there’s one thing I hope people take away from my work, it’s this: The Visibility Lab is about presence, not performance. Everything we create is designed to help women feel seen, supported, and more confident in the rooms they’re already walking into.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, there are three things that really made the difference for me — not because I had them all figured out early on, but because I kept coming back to them as I grew.

1. Learning to trust myself
This didn’t come naturally. For a long time, I looked outside myself for reassurance — feedback, validation, someone else to confirm I was on the right track. Over time, I realized I already had more clarity than I was giving myself credit for.
For anyone early in their journey: Start paying attention to what feels right and what doesn’t. Notice the patterns. It’s about being willing to listen to yourself and take the next step.

2. Paying attention to the room
Some of the most important things I learned came from listening and observing. Watching how people show up, how decisions get made, and what goes unsaid taught me how to communicate more clearly and build stronger relationships.
For folks just starting out: Slow down a bit. Notice what’s happening around you. That awareness will help you navigate spaces more confidently and with less second-guessing.

3. Letting myself move forward without having it all figured out
I used to think I needed a clear plan before I could take action. What actually helped was doing the opposite — trying things, learning as I went, and adjusting when needed.
My advice: Take small steps. You’ll learn far more by moving than by waiting for certainty.

You just have to get more comfortable being yourself, even while you’re still figuring things out. That’s where real growth happens.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

Yes! I’m always open to thoughtful collaborations, especially with coaches, speakers, and facilitators who care about creating meaningful, grounded experiences. I’m drawn to people who lead with integrity, bring practical insight, and genuinely enjoy supporting others as they grow.

If you’re someone who loves sharing your expertise in spaces that value real conversation and connection, I’d love to hear from you. You can connect with me through email: [email protected]

Contact Info:

• Website: https://thevisibilitylab.org/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.visibilitylab
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thevisibilitylab
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thevisibilitylab

Image Credits

Mo’elle Photography & Video