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.
Terysa Ridgeway
I’ve learned to embrace it as a chance to bring a different perspective. I stay confident, make sure I’m prepared, and speak up when it counts. It’s important to show what I know and build relationships with others in the room. Being true to myself and turning challenges into strengths has helped me succeed, even in spaces where I may stand out. Read more>>
Mechelle Tucker
As a double minority woman and a full-time serial entrepreneur, I have often found myself as the only person in the room who looks like me. This experience has profoundly shaped my approach to business and success, enabling me to cultivate a “win-win-win” mindset that has proven to be highly effective in my journey. Read more>>
Mary Tamura
I’ve learned that being effective in situations where I’m the only one who looks like me requires both courage and advocacy. Early on, I had to overcome my natural shyness and realize the importance of speaking up, not only for myself but for others as well. Staying silent doesn’t create change, but using your voice does. I’ve found that genuine people will support and uplift you when you advocate for yourself. When faced with resistance, I’ve learned to navigate those challenges by staying true to my values, finding common ground, and communicating with authenticity and kindness. It’s possible to remain firm in your beliefs while still fostering collaboration. Read more>>
Billal Kamara
Well, that’s where “One in a Melanin” comes from. The concepts of overcoming adversity and making the most of your circumstances are what drives me to be successful. It took me a while to understand that there was more to life than what’s readily accessible to me. The “American Dream” of being the 1st Generation son of an African, single mother wasn’t the most enticing future, based on our living conditions. And therefore, I felt that both I and my family deserved better. That’s enough motivation to push through any disadvantages that come with looking like me, acting like me and staying true to me. I’m used to being the outlier anyway and I embrace the individuality that comes with it. Read more>>
Blair Peters
In 2018, I graduated from Middle Tennessee State University with a bachelor’s of science degree in biochemistry and business administration. Shortly after graduating I realized that if I was going to be successful at anything, I could not depend on anything. No, I could not depend on my college degree to pay bills. In fact, the degree was completely useless before obtaining 2 years of relevant work experience. I accumulated so much debt I worked 3 jobs. Read more>>
Jarrod Houston
Being the only one in the room can feel isolating, but I’ve learned to navigate those moments by addressing my ego, which often tries to create separation by judging others or the situation. When I feel that sense of alienation creeping in, I pause, take a deep breath, and ask the Lord for grace and mercy. In that moment, I let go of any preconceived notions and simply allow myself to be present, grounded, and open to the experience. This helps me stay authentic, connected, and focused on the purpose, rather than the differences. Read more>>
Kam O’neal
Authenticity. The key is not to focus on who is in the room or what they look like. The focus should be on the difference you can make and the value you can add. The rest is up for reflection. Plant trees everywhere you go, meaning share seeds of inspiration with people even if just being yourself. People will remember your impact before your name (or your physical appearance). Read more>>
Patti Suzette
As an Art Broker, I find myself in a niche market. There are art galleries and dealers who hold a similar role, but a brokerage is a highly competitive field with few players in our area. Whenever I am working in a specific industry (and I have worked in a few!) I look to find leaders of that industry to mentor and inspire me in that career. In this industry, there are few I find who know much about the intricacies of the business. And I believe that to truly be great, you must look to the best for inspiration and to set the goals that will inspire others. Read more>>
Kimberly Hoyos
When I started out in film and media, it wasn’t unusual to be the only Latina—or even the only woman—in the room. It’s intimidating, especially in an industry that has historically excluded voices like mine. But I learned to show up informed and confident, knowing I’d earned my seat through hard work and staying true to my voice. Read more>>
Chen Gao
Being the only one in the room has made me more aware of the importance of creating a space where I feel empowered and comfortable. I’ve set up my living room as my studio, using two big foldable tables that are cheap and easy to move, a comfy chair, and some space for hanging installation creation. It’s a place where I can work, eat, and fully immerse myself in my art. This setup allows me to invest my time and energy productively, whether I’m working alone or engaging with others. Read more>>
Ariel Lowell
From a young age, I was always interested in performing arts, broadway, singing, and the spotlight. Maybe that’s my natural born confidence, or the double Aries in me, but I have always loved how affected someone can be from a song, dance, or even a speech. I am so deeply affected by the dedication and conviction in a performer, to the point of an emotional outpour. How it feels to me, the audience, the way music tells a story, and even how it feels to be that person, changing so many lives just by confidently standing in front of everyone and doing what they’re most passionate about. Call me a dreamer, but like many other people, I would always imagine what it would be like to creatively hold space for a large group of people and affect them so deeply and vulnerably. Read more>>
Karli Auble
As a woman in engineering, being the only one in the room that looks like me is something I’ve encountered often. In meetings or discussions where I’m the only woman, or sometimes the only person from a diverse background, it’s easy to feel out of place. But over time, I’ve learned to see these moments as opportunities rather than challenges. Read more>>
Erika Carrero
Being the only one in the room, especially as a Hispanic, petite woman in a male-dominated industry like finance, was not easy. Early in my career, as a finance executive, I often found myself in rooms filled with male executives, and getting heard felt like a constant challenge. But over time, I learned to assert myself. It wasn’t comfortable at first—I had to speak up and push past that discomfort to make sure my voice was heard. The key was understanding my own value and knowing that I had something important to contribute, even when it felt like I was the minority in the room. Read more>>
Joyce Lin
As a first-generation immigrant from Taiwan and a female sommelier, wine writer, and educator who transitioned from art to wine in my mid-30s, stepping into an industry dominated by males and Caucasians wasn’t easy. But it shaped my identity and my success in ways I never imagined. Read more>>
Vaelupe Ma’aele
Ten years ago, when I first decided to become a therapist, I remember thinking how I would explain my work to my family. As a Pacific Islander person, we are often times under represented and/or misrepresented in many fields of work. In the mental health field as a private practice therapist, I am more often the not, the only one in the room who likes like me. Whether it is my hair, my tattoo or even by genetic build – I stick out. It took me three years in undergrad to meet another islander and 8 years into my career before I even met another Pacific Islander in the mental health field. Read more>>
Asia Carter
Growing up in Miami you see diversity on a completely different scale. In the small town I’m from which was Homestead, FL it was not primarily Hispanics and African-Americans but more Hispanics. My mom always did her best to put me in the best schools to make sure I had the best education and that I was thriving. When you’re a kid you don’t see color, or race, or ethnicity. You see another kid boy or girl and you are either good friends or enemies. As I got older and started to work jobs I really started to see how much I stood out from the rest. A lot of jobs I had it was primarily Hispanics and Whites and I would be either the only African-American or among the very few. Read more>>
Jazmine Lacour Braid Salon & School Owner
As a three-time award-winning Black beauty professional, licensed cosmetologist, and master braider, I’ve learned that many spaces in the beauty industry—whether it’s with product developers, distributors, or store owners—don’t always reflect people like me. When I’m the only one in the room who looks like me, I remind myself that I bring something truly unique: a deep understanding of my culture, my brand, and my expertise. My talent, 14 certifications, licenses, and experience as the owner of a Houston Braid Salon and Braid School in North Houston give me the confidence and creativity to not just fit in, but to stand out. These experiences allow me to be valuable and make a lasting impact in every space I enter. Read more>>
Andrea Waite
This is a really great question. Throughout my career, l’ve often found myself being the only one in the room who looks like me. Initially, it could be intimidating, but l’ve learned to leverage those experiences to drive success. This is something that I have dealt with my entire career. I would never forget the time I went to take my state exam to become a massage therapist 14 years ago. Looking around the room there wasn’t many that looked like me. At the time there were not many African Americans that were in the field. I remember feeling more anxious, doubting myself and wondering do I belong. I remember closing my eyes and thinking about my “why” and in that moment I had to remember why I was in this arena. Read more>>
Joscynthia Johnson Mason
Being the only one in the room has often felt like a double-edged sword. At first, it was intimidating, knowing I didn’t look like, sound like, or have the same background as anyone else. But over time, I learned that those differences could be my strength, not my weakness. Read more>>
Vivian Yining Cao
I think it’s something many people—especially those from underrepresented groups—can relate to on a deep level. For me, as a Chinese-born New York-based creative producer and performing arts manager working in an industry that hasn’t always been known for its inclusivity, there have been countless times where I’ve been the only person of color, or the only immigrant, or the only woman in the room. These moments can feel isolating, but they’ve also taught me a lot about resilience and finding strength in my identity and my works. Read more>>
Adria Sheri Marcey (english)
I love when I’m in a room and my positive energy outshines the rest! Being the fact that I am one of God’s 144,000 chosen ones I expect for the favor from my calling attracts the pure hearted. I can sense feelings and emotions. I am confident in my walk with Christ. I am sent here to save victims around the world from sex trafficking. Read more>>
Maddy Lee
Over the past year of working in the wedding industry, I tend to find I am the only one like me in many rooms. I have also found that a lot of people don’t know about my services because they haven’t met someone else like me. Being the first one people meet in the field has taught me that how I present myself and work is how people view other creators. It has forced me to always put my best foot forward and be the best version of myself in every room I step in. All I can do is hope that when I leave those rooms I am leaving a good impression for future creators to step into! Read more>>
Talia Molé, Phd
My mother likes to share this story of me in kindergarten. When I was about 4 years old I temporarily wore walking braces. Every now and then I was met by some class bully who made fun of me. One day, my mother received a call from my teacher who explained to her the remarkable thing I did that afternoon. It seems that, upon reaching the limits of my toddler-esque patience, I asked the teacher if I could stand in front of the class to explain to everyone why I wore the braces. I proceeded to give a show-and-tell of the device and even allowed kids to ask me questions. From that moment forth, no one bothered me about my braces again. Read more>>
Jiaci Yan
During the past decade of studying and living abroad, I often found myself as the only one in the room who stood out. Whether in terms of race, ethnicity, culture, or educational background, my experiences were significantly different from those of others. This required me to invest more time, energy, and courage to adapt to new environments and overcome language and cultural barriers. In my professional career, being in the minority within a team has also been a common occurrence, making it more challenging to find my place and maintain efficiency in such settings. Read more>>
Monek Harris
From a young age, I had to figure out how to navigate a world that didn’t always reflect me. Starting in second grade and rolling through my freshman year, I found myself in mostly white Catholic schools, alongside my older brother, one of the very few Black faces in the crowd. At first, I didn’t feel all that different—it was just school! But by middle school, the oddness hit me like a ton of bricks. I started to notice the unfair treatment Black students often faced, and my senses sharpened. Read more>>
Jean Elliott
This is a great question. Growing up, my sister and I were the only ones in our immediate family who looked alike. We are both Chinese adoptees, while our parents and extended family are not. Not resembling those around us was just part of our experience. However, we were incredibly fortunate to have loving and supportive parents, which is why, as a child, I never felt that my identity as a woman or person of color hindered my success. Read more>>
Nicole Richardson
Studies show that women hold about 60% of marketing jobs in North America, however, a 2022 report found that Black women make up only about 2.7% of employees in the broader marketing, advertising, and public relations fields. As a black woman in marketing and advertising, it has been both a challenge at times and an opportunity as there have been many times when I’ve been the only one in the room who looks like me. It’s taught me to embrace my uniqueness and also use it as a strength. Read more>>
Steven Peyer
I feel this question is requires the deepest introspection for me. And as simple as it may sound, it is quite deep, and the most relevant to my personal ethos, my purpose, the boiling point at which we find ourselves in our society today, and the delicate walk of the mission and vision for Third Cost Superior as a corporation and separate organic entity. Read more>>
Chelsea Reeves
As a photographer I shoot all kinds of subjects, however, for the past year I’ve mainly focused on sports and events photography. The sports industry is predominately white and male, and there were many times I walked into media rooms before sporting events as the only Black woman. I’d speak to everyone when I entered those rooms, only to receive confused looks or no response, most likely because some people believed that I didn’t belong there. Even when I had my credentials visible, sometimes security would stop and ask “Where are you going?” or “Who are you with?” Read more>>
Shenice Wade Smith, Mba
This process took time, and it still does. I knew that I was different since I was in Highschool. My perspectives were broader, my ideas were bigger, and my voice filled the room. During my first job at the World Renown Art Institute of Chicago, I approached a historical institution with a lens of modernization and I wanted to be a change-agent in a positive way. I quickly learned that just because you have great ideas, doesn’t mean people are ready to change. I learned how to tailor my delivery and change my approach to the environment and once I was successful, it helped me gain more confidence in sharing my visions. Next, that experienced prepared me for the Corporate Human Resources field. Read more>>
Marquis Sewell
This is an interesting question because my answer is simple yet so complex: it’s bigger than me. When I’m feeling at a low point, I reflect on the legends of each industry, film specifically, and think about all of the struggles, adversity, and challenges they endured from this country I can’t help but to press forward. Sidney Poitier, Oscar Micheaux, Jenifer Lewis, Richard Pryor , James Earl Jones, August Wilson. These individuals, and many more, have opened up doors that allow me to occupy this current space. I stand here because of their sacrifices to not only the craft but to my right to work as a black creative freely. Read more>>
Vanessa Cozart
I am a Christian before I am anything else, and I find my values differ from 90% of my friends’ and colleagues just based on that. Through standing on my faith, I feel very secure in who I am and who God is. So when I go into a situation where I am the only one with my perspective, values, background, or even physical characteristics, I just look at it as an opportunity to learn as well as to glorify God. Read more>>
Markanthony Ball
I’ve come to see being the only person who looks like me in the room as a position of strength. To me, it means I’ve walked through a door that might not have always been open, and with that, I have the opportunity to hold it open for others. It’s about more than just representation—it’s about expanding the conversation and pushing boundaries. I embrace it as a learning experience, a chance to showcase who I am and what I bring to the table, both as a person of color and as someone who refuses to conform to traditional business norms. Read more>>
Casey Cavanaugh
With this question, I immediately identify with my Native American ancestry. I think feeling like the only one in the room is something that a lot of Native Americans feel. We are under represented in almost all venues and our college drop out rates, and rates of even leaving urban settings to go back to the reservation are high. On the Rez, you’re in the majority. There is a complicated and inconvenient history between Native Americans and the United States Government. Indian law in this country included some of the worst treatment including extermination and genocide, to forced boarding schools, to assimilation and worse! Read more>>
Lecasshius Stargell
Even when I am the only one in the room that looks like me, I continue to be the intelligent charismatic person that I am. I rely on the knowledge I already have, but I also rely on the ability for me to be open to learning new things as the world moves forward. It’s not an easy task to maintain yourself, Example: When you have a friend that may be from another state that has an accent, over time some people tend to pick up the accent. Even in that situation I try to the best of my ability to maintain my authenticity. Read more>>
Onur Kirimli
I’ve always believed that visionaries and greats are often the ones who stand alone—the ones who are ‘the only one in the room.’ Growing up, we don’t realize this because we’re surrounded by people who look and act the same. We start to feel like we don’t belong and often blame ourselves, trying to fit in so that society accepts us rather than punishes us for being different. Read more>>
