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.
Patty Myasia
When I’m the only one in the room who “looks like me” it doesn’t make me feel chosen, if anything it makes me feel like there’s so much more work to be done. I know a lot of creative geniuses, a lot of young boss women, but a lot of the times I am the one young black woman present—so I do my best to represent us in the highest honor. I’ve learned to show up for us by maintaining integrity, remaining unapologetically black and not code switching. I walk in every room like ME, even if I’m the only one in the room who looks like me. I don’t conform, I don’t shape shift, I represent us in the highest regard. Read More>>
Cat Bohannon
When you’re the only one in the room, you can only use yourself as a measure of success. How did I do on this particular look yesterday? Did it feel good leaving the client? Is there anything I think I can improve on? When decompressing from a client or job, I always run through a little checklist like this to keep myself accountable on aspects I liked from the look or recognizing what felt easy or hard to do. When I first started my career, it felt like I was consumed with things to work on even if the client was happy. I would see a client for hair or makeup, then go home and immediately practice anything that I felt I could improve on. Read More>>
Meola Jackson
Sometimes it’s really hard to stand out, but you have to be able to accept challenges that come your way. For instance, since I do modeling, it’s hard to please a client when there is no value there. What I’ve learned is that to be positive and to know you are the one regardless you are selected or not. Read More>>
Sindy Aguirre
Im very passionate with my career I love what I do. I always take my time with each client so they really can understand the basics of caring for the skin and body, It’s important to me, whether they continue to come to me or not, that they feel like they are getting not only good care but understanding and education on what their specific needs are. Read More>>
Tamara Fourth
When I think about this question, I think about a quote by Dr. Seuss “why fit in, when you were born to stand out?” Having an identical twin sister has been a blessing, however given that I have someone who is my mirror image I have always felt the need to continuously work on developing my own individuality so that others could see that we have separate identities. This further empowered me to always self-reflect on how to use my skills and knowledge to stand out despite what room I am in. Read More>>
Ayesha Watson
Be the only one in the room, I have learned to be affective by utilizing the people that are in the room, networking and communicating, and just sharing information with others, it creates and abundance of shared great information. Networking is the key to connecting information, so maybe Connect and jump your business off that one connection give me the best connection ever.. Read More>>
B. Majoure Baham
i grew up in a, for better words, “stuck” family in a poor city. Growing up in Baton Rouge, La, everyone around me had the same occupations and lives. There, you’re either working at a chemical plant or a franchise department store. My family would always question how I would pay bills with my dreams. Especially when I went to college I remember them asking “why fashion” “what jobs do they offer fashion designers” “why not nursing school? It’s guarantee money”. These questions began to bother me but mainly because I didn’t know the answer, and in true ME fashion… I MADE a YES! so the best thing that works for me in any situation, is to not take no for an answer or believe in any blockages because there is always a way. Read More>>
Toia Wallace
As an African American Black Woman, I had to learn to adapt and evolve early. I knew there was no other way than to be ingenious and utilize every chance or half-chance that came my way. This attitude to not seek but create opportunities helped me take control and create success. Now I know the entire journey is never like this, and ultimately we run into like-minded people who share more commons with us than we think, and with connections come opportunities, and opportunities lead us to success. Read More>>
Lakeya Cherry
As a Black woman and first-generation college student, being the only one in the room who looks like me has been a recurrent experience throughout my personal and professional journey. It is a reality that presents unique challenges, but I have learned to transform these situations into opportunities for growth and success. Read More>>
Julia Latkins
First of all, It means entirely accepting myself and my uniqueness. It’s my personal emotional roller coaster but I always remind myself that the things I do, the art I create, and the way I see the world are precisely what makes me unique and I’m trying to cherish that. Read More>>
Jamielle Rankine-Kirlew
There are many instances when I am the only one in the room. The only black person, the only woman, the only mother, the only Jamaican… I navigate this space using the art of being myself.
I’ve learned in order to appreciate where you are going, you must first acknowledge where you have been. Where I have been in my life has taken me to some beautiful experiences, I became a mother and got married, but I have also experienced hard and trying times, like losing my father, or failed business ventures and no income, yet here I am today. Read More>>
Lindsay Love
Coalition building is huge. When you’re the only one in the room, you aren’t just speaking on behalf of yourself. It’s an opportunity to uplift other voices. Those who might not have a seat. When I served on the school board, I met with local leaders, organizations, parents and students who aren’t ordinarily heard. That does come with its drawbacks because my fellow board members and district staff would challenge me often because it was outside of what they usually heard. However, it was also a unique opportunity to organize people to show up and amplify their voices from where I sat on the dais. Read More>>
Sydni Allyse
Being the only person in the room that looks like you is something I’m very familiar with, and it can be very intimidating. However, my diverse upbringing has afforded me the opportunity to engage with people from various backgrounds. Growing up in New Jersey and California, I lived in the suburbs which although diverse in its demographics; schools, and extracurriculars often left me the “token black girl.” In those situations, I often find myself relying on intellect and charm to navigate conversations in a way that validates my presence. Read More>>
Etonia Curry
I would say it is pretty simple, I stay focused on the goals that I have set for myself and working towards what I want to achieve. In college when deciding to major in Computer/Electrical Engineering, I knew that it was a male dominate field and I would be a double minority ( black and female). Although knowing that, I accept that challenge and embraced it! So when I was doing my internships and now working in my career field as a Hardware Verification Engineer, I do not let it intermediate me, because I knew I worked hard and deserve to be at the job just as much as my counterparts. It also makes me very passionate to go into schools and talk to minority students to help them get interested in STEM, because we need more minority Engineers and I want to be that positive image they can look up to! Read More>>
Wayne Flint
Well, being the only one in the room who looks like me has certainly presented its challenges, but it has also been a tremendous source of motivation and empowerment. Throughout my journey as a digital artist, I’ve learned to embrace my uniqueness and let it fuel my drive for success. Read More>>
Dr Kristin Kahle
I’m a woman with more than 20 years of experience in a man-heavy industry. I’ve often been in situations where I felt at a loss as to how to flex my power. Here’s where I put on practice the quote my mom has been using my whole life “When you feel your worst, look your best”. On those days I don’t want to get out of bed and show up for the world, instead of staying on my jammies I put on my best outfit, get my make-up perfect and do my hair. Women are still held to high expectations of beauty and presentation. But I have learned that I will do it ONLY IF IT MAKES ME FEEL GOOD. If it helps me feel my own power. Read More>>
Kaitlin Nares
As a commercial trucking and traumatic brain injury attorney, I almost always operate in environments that are predominantly male-dominated. In these situations, it’s crucial to have confidence in my abilities and the value that I bring to the table. Recognizing that my unique perspective and experiences can contribute positively to the discussion helps me assert myself effectively. I also do my best to continue cultivating supportive professional networks, which provide a sense of belonging and encouragement. Read More>>
Ben Bladon
Being the only person who looks like me In this industry is way more an advantage more than a hindrance. It’s one of the main reasons I get booked for the characters I play. Of course, I always say my look may be what gets me in the door, but my skill is why they want me to stay in the room Read More>>
Betty Lehman
When I think of “who looks like you”, in addition to my physical self I think “who shares my outlook”.
Our outlooks change over time because of what we learn from our private and shared experiences, people we meet, books we read, the lives we live, and everything in-between. I figure that over my lifetime so far, my perspectives and outlooks have changed dramatically and rather frequently. Read More>>
Helen Chan
I have learned to use my differences as my uniqueness to stand out in the room. Instead of feeling out of place and trying to fit in, being not the same makes me and my work interesting. I am a Music Video and Commercials Director. I am originally from Hong Kong and this is my 6th year in the USA. Since 2019, I have worked as a Production Designer both in Hong Kong and Atlanta. Recently, I completed my Master’s in Directing at SCAD Atlanta and moved to Los Angeles to focus on Video Directing. Read More>>
Natalia Farahmand
As a beauty business owner and brand, being the only one in the room who looks like me has presented both challenges and opportunities. At first glance, many may notice appearances that can sometimes be a topic of judgement in certain environments. However, I believe it is fundamental to direct the focus on evaluating a person by there qualifications, skills, experience and professionalism. Read More>>
