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.
Ziera “Scumboinani” Laenae
For high school, I went to Academy at Palumbo. I would say that was a blended school for the most part. I think going from a room of people that looked liked me or had similar experiences to then being one of 5 or fewer is a system shock. When I started college at University of the arts; I was already use to have to fight for attention in a class room but now I also had to defend myself and race. Read more>>
Glenn Axel Ordonez
As I grew, both as a person and as a business, I came to realize that comparing myself to others and their ideas was counterproductive and negatively impacted me. Instead, I decided to focus on my own path and determine how I could distinguish myself from other businesses. Within the clothing industry, I constantly observed the artwork of other brands while seeking a niche for my own. Read more>>
Brigitt Zelada
Certainly. My journey has been challenging, but it’s also been incredibly rewarding. Being a Latina woman in the forklift training industry—a field where the vast majority of my peers are men—has required me to develop a strong sense of resilience and assertiveness. Early on, I realized that I was often not taken seriously. My age, gender, and ethnicity combined to create a perception that I wasn’t as knowledgeable or capable as my male counterparts. Read more>>
Tee Sharma
I have been in this situation many times in my life and continue to be in this situation. I would say I definitely use it to my advantage. Often times there is a curiosity about me and this gives me an opportunity to educate others about me. I never let this deter me from sharing my story. Read more>>
Richard Williams
Each one of us has a life story to tell. Though there may be some similarities, no of them are the same. These stories belong to us and it affects us in many ways. My story has made me who I am today and I have embraced the journey. I have nothing to prove and nobody to impress. All that I am, is all that I have to share with those I come in contact with. I hope to be a positive influence to anyone I am positioned to meet. Read more>>
Aaron “triple A” Adams
More than most and more times that not, I am the only one in any given room that looks like me. I have a visible disability that to some extent can be hidden, until it can’t. While this disability may limit my physical capabilities to a certain point, I have found that if I allow, it could be much more harmful by prohibiting me from pursuing the joy of my work and the quality of my life, as a result of the messages it tends to send my brain on a daily basis: that I am not enough. Read more>>
Jenise Johnson
I have learned how to be both effective and successful when I am the only one in the room that looks like me by focusing on WHY I am the only one in the room that looks like me. In every space I am privileged to occupy, my initial goal is to identify the reason or purpose for being there. When I think of the word “look”, I am not simply thinking of my physical appearance. Read more>>
Larose Washington
There’s only ever been one way that I could succeed in a space that often isolated me: Focus on loving myself more than worrying about what others may think. Being the only Black girl in the room has been my way of life. I grew up in predominantly white areas, went to college at a predominantly white institution, and picked a career field that is predominantly white. So I was never a stranger to the idea that I’d have to forge my own path. Read more>>
Tara Klebowski
Reflecting on my journey of being effective and successful while often being the only one in the room who feels like me (so my mind tells me), a significant part of my story comes to mind. This story intertwines my struggles with mental health and my mission to make a difference in my community. Read more>>
Will Stroud
I spent the first 20 years of my career working in the action sports industry, mostly focused on producing video content in the BMX world with professional athletes. Over those two decades I was fortunate enough to travel to 30+ countries with pro BMX teams for video shoots and events and I loved every second of it. Read more>>
Mary Morgan
I learned to be effective and successful because I had wonderful parents who taught me to be myself and many teachers and mentors. Although it wasn’t until I was a mature adult that I became an artist, I learned much through being an art teacher. I was middle-aged when I went back to school to get my Master’s Degree and through that experience, I became a confident artist. Read more>>
Anand Sukhadia
Not only have I learned to be successful and effective when I am the only one in the room who looks like me, but I’ve also learned to thrive as the only one who thinks like me. Let me explain… I grew up in Staten Island, NY, as the 2nd generation son of immigrant parents from India. Throughout my childhood, I was often the only Indian person in my school, which led to a bit of an identity crisis. Read more>>
Kristin Mockler Young
As a female pastor who doesn’t fit the mold, I am often the only one in the room who looks like me. Even if there are other women in the room, my clothes, lipstick and laugh are likely louder than theirs. I never planned to be in ministry and I never went to seminary, but here I am, an ordained pastor, who speaks to our full congregation on a regular basis, plus at other churches and conferences. Read more>>
Lee Gordon
I have recently started a practice where I go to my mirror and recite Assata Shakur’s Chant every morning before work: “It is our duty to fight for our freedom. It is our duty to win. We must love each other and support each other. We have nothing to lose but our chains.” Read more>>
Deborah Mitchell
Throughout my career in television, I’ve often found myself as the only person of color in the room. It hasn’t always been easy, but these experiences have shaped me into the professional I am today. My journey began in at Essence the TV Program, a workplace created and operated by African-American executives. This early exposure to a community of intelligent, disciplined, and driven professionals who looked like me was crucial. Read more>>
Cassie Yusofi
In my case it was nothing out of the ordinary to be the only one in the room who looks like me. I was born in Afghanistan and grew up in the Netherlands where I was consistently one of out probably 5 kids in the classroom who looked like me growing up. Somehow this wasn’t a big deterrence for me when it came to achieving things in my career. Having grown up as the outsider or someone who didn’t entirely fit in was a daily occurrence for me so I never really knew another kind of reality. Read more>>
Kirrston Mclendon
Some ways I have learned to be effective/successful when I am the only one in the room that looks like me are self-belief and carrying myself with confidence. I firmly believe in my abilities and the value I bring to the table. This self-assuredness helps me navigate situations where I might be the only one who looks like me. Read more>>
John Volturo
As a former Chief Marketing Officer and an out member of the LGBTQ community, I’ve often been the only gay person in the room, particularly in executive settings. Early on, I felt isolated, as conversations often revolved around topics like sports, wives, and children—areas where I didn’t fit in. This made me feel like an outsider and, at times, an imposter. Read more>>
Yvonne Hodges
This had been a struggle for me even when those who looked like me ventured the room. I recently learned about 6 months ago the true meaning of closed mouths don’t get fed! Before, I was uncomfortable talking to people first, however, had to realize my business will never thrive waiting for others to approach me. Read more>>
Latricia Bass, Cpc, Cpb, Cpc-i
Such a great question. I have entered many room where I am the only person in the room that looks like myself as well as have the skillset I have. My skill sets is unique and a niche to the healthcare industry. I was able to overcome the uncomfortable feeling by standing on a quote I take with me everywhere, “It’s not what you know or who you, but who knows you.” This has been my go to strategy becoming an entrepreneur. Read more>>
Janice James
We are all unique in our own way, but yes, I have found myself in many spaces where I am the exception to the norm. I grew up in an impoverished community called Bay Farm Villa in Kingston, Jamaica and I went to an affluent high school, Holy Childhood High School. I started high school at 10 years old as the youngest student in the class. I spent my first year of high school trying my best to hide my age and economic status from all the other students while I quietly observed them. Read more>>
Pallavi Pande
Thriving as the Only One in the Room: My Journey as a Minority/BIPOC Mompreneur- Proud to be called as the DTOCS lady!! As a minority mompreneur, I’ve often found myself as the only one in the room who looks like me—a South Asian woman navigating a predominantly male and non-BIPOC business world. The challenges were real: bias, limited support, and the constant fight for equity in business and networking. But I knew I had to carve out a path not just for myself, but for others who might face the same barriers. Read more>>
Morgan Ka’bree Newson
Attending Spelman College has been pivotal in my journey to making my art and voice effective, even when I am the only black woman in the room. I’ve learned to speak my truth confidently and understand that my work doesn’t always have to define my race or ethnicity. As a black artist, I often feel the need to portray our joy to counter the narrative of “black struggle”. Read more>>
Lauren Maleski
I have always felt different. But not in a good way. Different in a damaged way, like something was amiss or perhaps I was created wrong with some innate flaw that would never be reconciled or healed. Why did I love the things I did? Why was I drawn to stories and the woods? Why did being in large crowds make me nervous? Read more>>
Monique Velásquez
Growing up I was often the only Latina or minority in my classroom. My parents instilled in me that ideas that I deserved everything that the student next to me received. I watched them fight for my brother and my rights to equal access to education resources. With this part of my life story it made my voice strong in any room I occupy. Read more>>
