Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Khalilah (like Delilah With A “K”) Jones. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Khalilah (like Delilah with a “K”), so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?
Listen, being “the only one in the room” isn’t new for me…it’s practically been my assigned seat. And sure, it comes with its challenges, but I had to flip the script early on. I remind myself constantly why I do what I do and who I do it for. I’m not just showing up for me, I’m building a legacy of excellence so that the next generation doesn’t have to wonder if they belong in those rooms. Spoiler alert: they do.
Now, I’ll be real…when you’re the only one, you can either shrink back or take up space like you paid the mortgage on the building. I choose the latter, because I know I add value to whatever space I occupy. My presence isn’t accidental. It’s purposeful. And when I catch myself waiting for permission or for things to just “fall into place,” I lean on my favorite quote: sometimes the ship you are waiting to come in is the ship you have to build. Translation: if the door isn’t opening, I’m not standing there forever…I’m calling the contractor and building my own.
So yes, being the only one in the room taught me resilience, but more than that, it taught me to remember my mission, create opportunities, and never forget that my seat at the table…whether they planned for me to be there or not, matters.
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?
Oh, where do I even start? I like to say I’m in the business of making people and communities look as good as they feel…or, let’s be honest, sometimes better than they feel until the inside catches up. I’m an image consultant, brand architect, wardrobe stylist, community organizer, and social innovator who lives for that sweet spot where service meets style. My superpower? Seamlessly marrying my heart for people with my desire to make the world aesthetically pleasing. Because yes, you deserve a world that looks as good as you do when you finally get your edges laid down right.
What makes my work exciting is that it’s never just about clothes, or events, or branding, it’s about radical, unapologetic self-acceptance. It’s about empowering folks who’ve been historically and strategically excluded to take up space, loudly and beautifully. Like the time I hosted a Black book and doll drive and told people to show up dressed like their doll. We rolled out a hot pink sequin carpet, had a photographer on deck, and gave them a full-blown photoshoot moment. The point? To show that there is more than one standard of beauty, and that representation in beauty and literacy isn’t optional…it’s necessary.
And then there’s Soul of Cville, the Virginia festival I co-founded that just celebrated its 5th anniversary. What started out as me wanting to do a fashion show (yes, a fashion show) turned into a week-long cultural festival that’s seen up to 8,000 people. And here’s the kicker, I’m not even from Virginia. But when you’re called to do the work, you just do it. We just wrapped seven days of programming, and let me tell you…planning a festival of that magnitude will snatch your soul if you let it. So I’m currently on a tiny hiatus (read: hiding from emails and sleeping in my bonnet guilt-free).
But because I don’t know how to sit still too long, what’s next is something I’ve been percolating on for a while—I want to plan a fashion week within the next year. Imagine it: unapologetic representation, boundary-pushing style, and an entire city draped in fierce, fabulous energy. That’s where I’m headed.
So what should folks know about my brand? That it’s not just about clothes. It’s about confidence. It’s about community. It’s about creating atmospheres where people can finally see themselves reflected and celebrated. And trust me, we’re only just getting started.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back, the three most impactful things on my journey weren’t shiny degrees or some perfect 10-step blueprint…they were grit, audacity, and self-awareness.
First, grit: the unsexy part. It’s being willing to look stupid, fall flat, and then still show up again the next day. Second, audacity: not being afraid to not be liked. Some folks will hate your shine just because they’re sitting in the dark, and that’s none of your business. Third, self-awareness: finding that zone of genius where you don’t just survive…you dominate, and then staying there consistently, like it’s your full-time job.
My advice? Stop waiting for the “perfect time.” It doesn’t exist. LeBron didn’t wait until he had an NBA arena to practice layups, he was out there in the cul-de-sac with a busted hoop, still moving like greatness. Beyoncé wasn’t always performing in stadiums…she was grinding it out in church basements and small stages, still serving like it was the Grammys. So whatever your version of a raggedy portable hoop is, use it. Right now. With what you have.
I’m going to hold your hand while I say this: everything you need to succeed is already in the room with you. You just have to stop scrolling, stop doubting, and actually do the thing.
We’ve all got limited resources, time, energy, focus etc – so if you had to choose between going all in on your strengths or working on areas where you aren’t as strong, what would you choose?
Honestly? I’ve never been impressed by the whole “well-rounded” thing. To me, that just sounds like code for “I’m decent at everything, but great at nothing.” Cute, but not for me. Why on earth would I waste my energy dragging a level 4 skill up to a 6 when I could be sharpening my level 8 until it slices glass? Strength-based leadership has been my north star because the world doesn’t reward watered-down…it rewards mastery.
And trust me, I learned the hard way. For years, I played by the rules: went to school, chased the degree, got the “proper” job. I did all the things society said would make me successful… and felt like I was suffocating. Because deep down, I knew I wasn’t called to just exist in the box someone else built for me. I had this fire in me…loud, restless, that was screaming, “You’re here to empower people. To make the world around you better.”
So I finally stopped ignoring it. After earning my MBA in Marketing, I sought representation with Urban Darling, an image consulting agency, and hit the ground running. I started brainstorming ways to actually engage the community and leaned unapologetically into my gift. And the difference? Night and day. I went from following the blueprint to building my own damn blueprint.
So no, I don’t buy into this idea that you need to be “well-rounded.” That’s for tires, not people. I believe in doubling down on your strengths until they’re undeniable. Because when you master your zone of genius, you don’t just elevate yourself…you shift the whole room and give others permission to step into their own fire.
Contact Info:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1JGEWVK1LR/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/khalilahskloset?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
- Other: https://linktr.ee/khalilahskloset
Image Credits
Anica Marcelino
Brian Dunn
Jenae Harrington
Saraellen Bagby
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
