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.

Valeria Silva

Being the only one in the room to me was never a block, but at the same time I can’t say it was inspiring. It’s actually sad. But unfortunately I was used to it since I was a kid. Good thing it’s that it wasn’t a reason for me to stop whatever I was doing or feel sorry for anything. Read more>>

Tracy Quinlan

Being the only one in the room that looks like me has been my schtick my entire life. French was my first language, before I was 7 years old I had been put into several situations where everyone else only spoke English and it was glaringly obvious I was different.  Read more>>

CurlyShirley

Learning to be effective/successful when I am the only one that looks like me has not been an easy task. I would say it is an on-going one. Through exploring my thoughts and feelings around being different I was able to not only address aspects of myself I was lacking, but also aspects that I have aced. Read more>>

LaRae Day

Women in business, especially young women in business, are often underestimated. As a millennial female entrepreneur, I’ve experienced this time and time again. At first, rampant sexism and ageism in the workplace came as a shock to me because, after all – aren’t we living in the 21st century? Read more>> 

Kristie Stephenson

I’ve literally been the only one in the room that looks like me many times, as well with what I am doing with these local, sustainably sourced seeds, I’ve learned to create a space for them. That often means pitching an idea, creating something and showing it to someone, planting a seed so a potential client can see how it could work for them. We are using a seed that grows on an ornamental grass, these seeds have stories of resilience and over coming. Read more>>

Tracie Simon

It took some time to learn how to be effective when I was the only one in the room. There was some trial and error of often wanting to be louder so I could simply be heard. As I grew in my career and my confidence I learned to listen better and I learned to come prepared. Read more>>

Sierra Alston

I am usually the only African American woman in the room in the civil industry holding a c-suite position. However, one of my greatest gifts is being able to adapt to my environment. I possess vast knowledge in construction and have seen the good the bad and the ugly so there is very few topics I shy away from when it comes to speaking with my peers because I am usually able to relate. Read more>>

David Dean

This is a great question and one that is an ongoing topic with the field of speech-language pathology (SLP) and audiology. Statistics show that the field of speech-language pathology & audiology is 92% Caucasian female, while the other 8% are minorities. Within the minorities, 3.6% are African-Americans, and African-American males are far less around .01%. The likelihood of seeing someone like myself, a black male SLP, is rare or what others call a “unicorn”.  Read more>>

Mary Kathryn LeMaster

Sugar, my white mobility cane lights up a room for me to step in. The vibration of her tip runs up to my hand o let me know if there is a step coming up or small child or a curb. Taking that first step reminds me I can do anything. I love breaking the stereotype of blindness and the power of disability and I’ve never had such confidence as I do know being a blind woman walking into new experiences. Read more>>

Maria-Ines (please NOT Maria) Fuenmayor

Personally, everything I’ve undertaken stems from a profound sense of justice, both personally and towards others. Access, equality, diversity, and representation have been at the heart of everything I pursue. Although I might not have always articulated it this way, looking back, it’s clear that this path has guided me to where I am today. Read more>>

Tacara Cannady

Being a minority means facing daily challenges. We are often overlooked and have to work diligently everyday to prove that we are qualified in many different forms. As a black woman I face these issues due to race and gender. Read more>>

JONELLE LOVE

Growing up as a military brat, as well as a military spouse, I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to travel around the world, experience and work with various cultures in both private and public sectors, to include working in the military myself as a civil servant — I am no stranger to being the only one in the room that looks like me. Read more>>

Aurelia Gooden

This is a skill that I had to perfect early in life. I have been involved in biological sciences, material science, classical music, and various types of engineering. These are primarily male-dominated fields. Because of this, I have experienced adversity. Read more>>

Hang Li

I come from a small industrial town where no one knows anything about art around me. I told my high school teacher I wanted to be a game concept artist, and then they said: oh, good, you want to be a computer scientist! So they chose a science university major for me. Read more>>

Adriane Hodges

The brewing industry prides itself on it’s progressiveness, yet when you put a room full of brewers and owners together it still remains starkly male. As a woman, it is easy to find a setting like this incredibly intimidating, and overwhelming.  Read more>>

Ada Trinh

Navigating the space as the only person in the room has presented both challenges and opportunities for growth. I’ve had to cultivate the skill of tuning out external opinions and voices, learning to stand firmly in my own truth and power. Despite moments of deep fear and doubt, I’ve discovered the strength to embrace my inner truth and listen to my own needs. Read more>>

Luis Capobianco

As the only one in the room who looks like me, I’ve learned to leverage my unique perspective, embrace my identity, and advocate for diversity and inclusion. By confidently owning who I am, actively amplifying diverse voices, and continuously educating myself. Read more>>

Jada Johannes

Navigating as the sole wedding photographer in a small town, where diversity might be limited, has required a blend of self-assurance and adaptability. Believing in my unique perspective and skills has been pivotal, enabling me to stand out and provide exceptional service. Read more>>

Alexis Forteza

I wouldn’t say I’ve “learned” just yet the totality of this skill, because that would mean I’ve mastered this lesson. However, I can offer some wisdom I’ve gained on this topic because boy, has life really put me in some rooms that I feel I am completely unqualified for, and/or just different in general. where it makes me question my own identity. Read more>>

SUE MCGARVIE

Having done radio for over 15 years with a topic not everyone agrees with I’ve gotten used to marching to my own drum. I really don’t worry about what other people think. I believe kindness matters and if I hang onto the end result of what I’m trying to achieve everything quiets down. Read more>>

Monica Rivera

As a first-generation Latina from The Bronx, I’ve spent a significant portion of my career being the only one in the room – the only Latina, the only woman. Instead of letting that deter me, I learned to leverage my strengths and discover my unique value proposition. Read more>>

Kimiko Pw.

As a BIPOC author, poet, and educator, it’s incredibly important to me to persevere, even when I find myself the only one who looks like me in the room. Despite being the minority in any space, I see it as an opportunity to pursue my passions exactly as I envision them. Read more>>

Asia B.

That’s a tough one honestly because I have never been ask that before. I have learned to overcome sometimes being the only person in a room that looks like me by introducing myself and standing out . Being a black women sometimes at event has made feel to have a reason to stand out in the most creative way and to be confident. Read more>>

J Stevens

As a trans, non-binary person I am constantly in rooms/on sets where I’m the ‘only’ gender-diverse (or at least openly so) person there. While this can feel daunting at times, I try to look at it as an advantage- I have a perspective no one else in that room does. Read more>> 

Efrén Pérez

I´ve learned that i need to focus and be effective with the time and tools that i have in the moment. I focus my mind and set it up to complete the goal i want to get. My process of creating is always on my own, so im comfortable to be the only one in the room. Read more>>

Peter Filimaua

Navigating the terrain of my identity was not always easy in a room being the only Mexican-Samoan, as societal perceptions often reduced me to mere fragments of my multifaceted existence. I found myself caught between worlds, seldom fully acknowledged for the amalgam of identities I embody. Read more>>

Shadea Murphy

I was born and raised in a town called Cape May County, NJ. Out of the 94,000 people that reside here , African Americans only make up 4.88% of that population so being the only person that looks like me in the room is not something I’m not used to.  Read more>>

Aaron & Sean Comida para El Alma y Odd Mambo

Aaron: This is actually a really great question, especially given the nature of work we do. As a professional dancer – a black creative who lives in a city with about 8% black population (Austin) – a lot of room is left to feel some imposter syndrome.  Read more>>

Vanity Alexander

I love this question! Knowing that God created every living being very intentionally, I am fully aware that no two people are exactly alike. This empowers me to humbly exude confidence as I am aware that I am truly unique.  Read more>>

Savanah Senn

Actually, I have encountered this being a fusion dancer in shows that involve mostly raqs sharqi performers. I like to think that being different adds extra spice to the performance and makes it more memorable. To some extent it goes back to my goth days; I always loved drawing attention with the unexpected. Read more>> 

Latoya Mckelvin

As a former Ballet dancer and Founder of Movement Matters Collective, I have often been the only Black Woman in the room. Though it has not always been the most natural sensation I have come to see that a fully embodied latoya and the multi-facets of my identity as my superpower.  Read more>>

Kriztelle Halili

Being the only one in the room who looks like me has definitely been a journey, especially in the wedding photography space here in Chicago. Honestly, it’s not been too hard to notice the scarcity of Filipino or AAPI photographers around. Read more>>

Angela Howard

“They’re not a culture fit” has been a phrase I’ve heard over and over while leading teams and organization. My response has always been – “what are they fitting into?” and “if we want them to fit, we’re not creating the culture we think we are.” The phrase is also personal to me, and here’s why: Read more>>

Sandra SanD” Romair”

I have found that fitting in isn’t something I do all to well, I have a bold personality, as you can see by my tattoos. I have felt the odd man out at times, epsecially in the industry I have chosen. Photography to me is an art.  Read more>>

Ani Martirossian

In 2003 I converted to Islam and observed the outward dress and spiritual practices that came along with that. In 2006 I entered Old Nave as a Senior Designer and proceeded to excel and was eventually promoted to VP of Design.  Read more>>

Alexandria McBride

Being married to a woman and learning a language that originates from a country where same-sex marriage is still illegal today, often leads to uncomfortable conversations. Therefore, I go in with confidence when I say “wife” in Japanese because I want people to know that I meant what I said. Read more>>

Ashlee Cervantes Thomas

In the Private Security Industry in the United States, even today in California – 2024, there are very few women in leadership. This highly male dominated industry carries notes of “Wild West” days into our modern era. The industry leaders are predominately compromised of older, white males. Read more>>

Clifton Wilson

Having the confidence, and the knowledge of whatever topic that brought you into that room. When I first started my brand, I remembered being afraid to show my face at our first trade show event. We paid about $5,000 to be apart of this Trade Show in NYC. I knew it wasn’t going to be a lot of brands and designers who looked like me. Read more>>

Esther G

In navigating environments where I’ve often found myself to be the only one who looks like me, I’ve embraced three core strategies: resilience, authenticity, and empathy. My journey with FireBar Labs has placed me in numerous situations where these attributes became my strength. Read more>>

Lauren Kemps-Thibodeaux

Navigating spaces where I’m the only one who looks like me has been a journey of self-discovery and resilience. While it can be initially intimidating, I’ve learned to embrace my uniqueness and recognize the inherent value it brings to any environment. Read more>>

Danny Hanson

For myself, I find that simply calling attention to me being the only Chicanx present can make a big difference in how much sway I hold in leadership spaces. A lot of organizations pride themselves on being colorblind, but I’ve found that pretending everyone in the room holds the same amount of privilege and has the same background can be stifling at best, and oppressive at worst.  Read more>>

Dee Lee

There weren’t too many AAPI vendors in the industry when I started. I did not see any AAPI vendors in leadership in WIPA or ABC. I remember someone referring to me and some of my peers, the Asian vendors as “Oriental.” I was very taken back by this. Read more>>