Even as there is a growing recognition for the need for representation, there are still many cases where folks will find themselves as the only person in a room representing their particular demographic – and often there is pressure to perform in such contexts to prove competence not just for yourself but for everyone who is like you. The burden and the stress of being the “representer” is real, and so we wanted to create a space where folks can discuss who they go about ensuring they are effective and successful even in contexts where no one else on the team or in the room is like them.
Sean R. AKA LAVISH
My whole life I have battled with being a standout character in this story called life. As a child my family couldn’t afford to buy me the “designer style” and couldn’t dress me in the same clothes everyone else was wearing. As a youth growing up in the public school system, it was definitely a struggle being the standout. As I matured and started learning who I was and who I wanted to be, I learned to embrace my uniqueness. Whether it was the shoes I wore or the clothes I styled, or even my hair styles, I always managed to keep it 100% authentic. Read more>>
Brittany Rogers
I believe as an African American woman, it’s never been ok to just be good enough. Not only did I make it my mission to have the skill and education, but to also have the charisma and personality to be memorable to others. This hasn’t always been easy because in the same breath, I have to be assertive and outspoken enough to advocate for myself when necessary. As a Black woman, people have often confused my assertiveness with aggression and no one wants to be deemed “the angry Black woman”. Read more>>
Laydee Lyrix
That is a great question, I believe it’s been my oblivion of youth that has allowed me to overlook the challenges this far to being a light-skinned Indigenous in the Hip-Hop music Industry. I come from a mixed ethnicity of Ojibwe and Scottish so my initial appearance to people who are from other backgrounds is that I am a “white rapper” who is misusing cultural appropriation. Or so in recent years, I have heard. Read more>>
Kimberly Merritt-Watts
There have been times when my brand has led me to spaces where I am the minority. The one thing that carries my confidence is that I know what I’m talking about…for the most part Although LSquared Beauty is nearing four years in business, my knowledge and experience in the beauty and wellness industry date back to my early teens. I have tried, read, studied, followed, so many aspects of my field that I feel comfortable speaking about it in any format. Remember I said “I know what I talking about.”? Read more>>
Nicholas Manlavi
Fear is something that I feel is essential to the human experience. It makes us who we are, especially if we can push through it. I feel like the dated standard of being brave is reductive when talking about overcoming adversity. Being truly effective and successful is a matter of persistence and learning to use fear as a fuel while still being scared to death. Read more>>
Audrey Bruanne
I’m stating the obvious in saying that there’s most unfortunately not a lot of black talent seen in the styling field. There are some (and they’re absolutely killing it, including people like Wayman and Micah, June Ambrose, Apuje Kalu, Jennifer Austin and more). However, it’s few and far between and ultimately sometimes reduced down to “luck” that POC prevail in a predominantly white industry. Read more>>
Hillary Hawkins
I’ve been a girl in a room full of boys when training in the martial arts and mainly have learned not to give up. It seems my perseverance paid off as I now hold a 2nd Degree Black Belt in Fusion Kenpo, another Black Belt in Chinese Kenpo and am currently training in American Style Nunchaku. Yes, girls can swing nunchucks too! Read more>>
Remy Norasingh
As a music producer and record label owner, navigating unique situations is key. Being the only one in the room has taught me the importance of confidence in my craft. My effectiveness stems from embracing diversity, valuing my perspective, and staying true to my creative vision. Optimism, for me, arises from the belief that every unique voice contributes to the richness of the music industry, making it a vibrant and inclusive space for all talents. Read more>>
Randy Hayes
I find that humor, especially self deprecating humor, puts other people at ease. I try to learn about the people I will be seeing in the room and think of two questions I would like to ask each person. Read more>>
TES
For a large portion of my life I felt ashamed of the things that made me feel different. I thought they disqualified me from having a seat at any table. Growing up as an African American woman, I realized at an early age. black people were considered the minority. It almost seemed like the news wanted everyone to believe women were less than and that black people were born criminals. Being a queer woman, I noticed the false assumptions of my character. People within the LGBTQ+ community were often made out to be a joke and could never be openly respected or loved. Read more>>
Kristin Coronado
Given my line of work, I can openly and proudly admit that I’ve done years of therapy and inner work to build a certain level of authenticity and confidence. Self-talk is incredibly important and effective. I know I don’t fit the description of what’s in the room before me. I’m aware of the advantages and disadvantages that face us all and I’m grateful for the set of privileges that pertain to me specifically. That being said, I earned this. I did the work. I studied. I remained dedicated. I persevered in the same ways my peers have. Read more>>
Evelyn McBride
I find that the best way to be successful when you might be the only one in the room that looks like you is by bringing your authentic self to the table every day. There’s only one of you in this world and you have a unique viewpoint and set of interests and skills! The work that I’ve been the most proud of has been when I’m able to do something that inspires me and I have the opportunity to put my heart and soul into it! Read more>>
Daunta Bryan
So being the only one in the room that looks like me means a lot to me and to others that look like me. It will mean a lot more when I’m one of the few that actually make it in the gaming industry as well. It can get discouraging at times when there’s all the negativity as to why I haven’t already saw a great deal of success in the gaming industry. It is a saturated market but show me a market that isn’t already saturated? I say that to say this, there’s enough room for everyone. Read more>>
Sora Gazzaneo
Being the only one in the room that looks like me is actually what keeps me going. I take pride in my uniqueness and embrace it to its fullest potential. For a long time I was always worried about fitting in or making sure that I was doing what everybody else was doing so that people would pay attention to my work. With time and experience, I’ve learned that people appreciate different perspectives. Read more>>
Tau Tau Menghan
As a film director and author, I struggled for a long time with my identity. I grew up in unfamiliar surroundings where I constantly felt like I didn’t belong—a perpetual outsider searching for my spiritual home. Born in Harbin, I was raised by relatives in Shanghai, a city known for its exclusivity, where I was always seen as a ‘northerner.’ Later, I lived in culturally diverse Cairo, leading a life reminiscent of the TV show ‘Sex and the City.’ However, it was when I settled in Western Europe that I began to reassess my identity and integrate the inherent ‘Eastern elements’ within me. Read more>>
Allison Doty
I think an important part about building confidence is to know that you have something in common with everyone you meet. Find that common denominator and strike up conversation. Listen to the people speaking in that room and pay attention. You will learn something from everyone that you meet. Read more>>
Tyra Chantel Sparks
To be frank, I’m kind of l used to it. I’ve always been the only one in the room, I never quite fit in with my family or friends. I’m uniquely me. So when I’m in a room and I’m the only one, I don’t feel the need to conform because I’ve learned over time that I simply can’t. I can’t change who I am, and why would I want to? Plus, if we’re all the same, where will we find innovation? My brilliance, my jokes, my creativity is necessary for the rooms I’m in. My voice is important. Read more>>
Tommie Pressley
When I worked in the corporate world as a graphic designer, being the only one that looked like me was the norm. My way of still being effective in my role was by making sure that I was hard-working and making sure that I outlearned my coworkers. Read more>>
Noella Grey
Knowing I potentially represent others who look like me in a public space I have learned to carry myself with purpose. Remaining authentic in these situations is necessary in order to remain true to who I am as a whole person. Read more>>
Nina Nepa
I began developing this skill far before I began to pursue music. I’ve always found myself in male-dominated spaces. From my college mechanical engineering program, to my work as a resident engineer at an active construction site, to audio engineering & music production. I feel pressure to constantly prove my abilities and skills. These experiences have required me to become my biggest advocate and grow a strong sense of self. Read more>>
Nancy Williams
Although I’ve often been the only woman instrumentalist when I perform in jazz ensembles, I find myself more and more surrounded by men the more successful I’ve become as a musician and educator. Originally, this didn’t bother me at all, but when you start to become aware of patriarchal influences, it’s hard to ignore sexism in the music industry. And then it’s challenging not to take it personally. My best advise is to make it about the job. Do the job. Read more>>
Kirstie Reese
I’ve learned that you can never stop learning, growing and taking classes to better yourself/business. Even if the information is something you already know or have learned, having a refresher motivates me and keeps me going. It really gets em excited about making new content or providing services to my clients. I recently attended a women’s retreat where I was the only entrepreneur that has employees and a store front location but I learned so much from the speakers that attended the retreat and I felt so enthusiastic about my work, my clients, my business and life in general. I think investing in myself and my education is what sets me apart from the other people in the room and that is what makes me so successful. Read more>>
Dr. Wanita Mercer
From a young age, I’ve often found myself as the ‘only one in the room’ with a distinct perspective. This began in my early childhood, where I was the only child in my preschool and kindergarten who saw naps as unnecessary, preferring to engage with teachers or immerse myself in play. This early experience of standing out set the stage for my later years, particularly when I became the only African American girl in my third-grade class in Tennessee. This trend of being one of few black students persisted throughout my academic journey, including my doctoral studies. Nonetheless, I thrived and excelled at every stage. Read more>>
Dr. Shenequa Pierre
Millions of years ago, Black women birthed the human race, and they have instinctively been getting things done and keeping us from self-destruction ever since. When I analyze the experiences of the women in my family, the hundreds of women who I have grown up with, worked, and studied with, the sheroes who I have learned from and been inspired by, from Cleopatra to Michelle Obama, I always conclude that there is no better model for who we should strive to be as human beings than black women. Read more>>
Victor Yuen
Before I even touch on the topic of success to begin with, we must understand that the idea of success is subjective to every individual. In the industry of designing and marketing a house of luxury products and experiences that attribute to Tangible Gratitude, it’s no surprise that I put myself in a particularly peculiar position in a room full of entrepreneurs. To realize success in the line of work I do, it’s acknowledging success of having this present moment and letting it be the motive of conversation. This where I learn to be successful. Read more>>
Indigoz Shoes
Indigoz Shoes has learned to be effective/successful, by always being unique and innovative by designing every shoe from scratch and providing a solution to an ongoing problem. We created a business and a strategy, that not only do we win and become successful, everyone around us also reapes the same benefits from showcasing make-up artists, models, hairstylist, photographers, marketing teams and all elements and resources Indigoz Shoes needs to make the company work and run. Read more>>
