Representation from the Eyes of the Representer

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.

Madjeen Lorthe

Being the only one in the room, especially in senior leadership roles, is a reality I’ve faced many times. It’s uncomfortable, and I’ve often felt the need to be more guarded and cautious—hyperaware of how I might be perceived. There’s an unspoken pressure to perform at a higher level to counteract biases or assumptions. Read more>>

Irvin Scott

Thank you for taking the time to interview me. I must admit that being the only one in the room who looks like me can be challenging. I remember a specific instance during my time at iHeartMedia where I was the only person of my background. Initially, it felt intimidating, but I focused on being flexible and resilient. I made it a point to communicate clearly and build relationships with my colleagues, which helped me gain their respect and trust. By remaining confident and being someone that they could rely on, I was able to contribute effectively to the team’s success. This experience taught me the importance of embracing diversity and using it as a strength to achieve my goals. Read more>>

Audrey Brown

This was something I struggled with for a number of years especially being a new actor/artist who just moved from a small town to New York. I remember always being blown away not only by how many other women were going up for the same part but also how incredibly beautiful they all were. I started to compare myself and grow increasingly self conscious to a crippling point where I could barely get myself out the door. This affected me for quite some time. It wasn’t until I started to experiment and cast myself in movies that have already been made to see where someone of my type may fit in which was very eye opening and empowering. I started to embrace and utilize my ambiguity and ethnicities as my superpower.  Read more>>

Guyesha Blackshear

The first time I walked into a room as the only one who looked like me, I felt the weight of expectation and the opportunity to make an impact. Thriving in these moments has required me to embrace what makes me different, while relying on preparation and skill-building to not just belong, but excel. Read more>>

Rachel Hankins

I have had the fortunate and unfortunate experience of being the only one in the room on numerous occasions. One of the most vivid memories I had as a child was when I was competing for a state competition as a classical pianist. I was around the age of 9 going up against the best youth musicians in the state of Alabama. Being the only young, African American, girl in this competition I knew I had a huge challenge ahead of me even before I placed my fingers on the piano keys. I played the beautiful arrangement “Blessed Assurance” and received a perfect score from the judges. As I child I didn’t understand the magnitude of this accomplishment and even today it seems as if it was a distant memory. Read more>>

José Palacios

Latinx people are still often underestimated, and I’ve experienced this firsthand. When I was buying my house, I had an appointment to meet the previous owner, a college professor exposed to a diverse student body and international colleagues. He had accepted my offer, but we hadn’t met in person yet. When I arrived at the house and speaking Spanish to my friend, the owner immediately asked if we were there to paint. That moment stuck with me, not because it surprised me, but because it reinforced how deeply ingrained biases can be, even among the educated. But here’s the thing: I feel empowered when I’m underestimated.  Read more>>

Curt Apduhan

Having started my career in the entertainment industry back in the 90’s, I often found myself being fairly unique on set. Not so much for my Japanese/Filipino heritage but for my conservative ethos and political beliefs. The cliche of Hollywood being more progressive than conservative is a reality and has been for the majority of my career. Read more>>

Reonell Gloria

When I find myself as the only one in the room who looks like me, I focus on embracing my individuality and letting my strengths shine. I’ve learned that being authentic is my greatest asset. By staying true to who I am, I can bring a unique perspective that adds value to the conversation. Read more>>

Nikiah Mccullen

I’ve learned to be successful by adapting to the settings around me. Growing up, I had to navigate a world where I often felt different from others and faced struggles that many people don’t understand. Being biracial is a big part of my identity. It has always been challenging to fit in and find where I truly belong because of my appearance. Read more>>

Natalie Bencivenga

It can be very challenging being in male-dominated industries such as media. Often, I have found myself to be the only woman in the room, or the youngest person in the room. People make up their minds about you before you have a chance to speak or share your ideas and perspectives. So you have to be consistent. You have to be deliberate in what you say and how you say it. You have to be willing to stand up for yourself, state your successes and acknowledge challenges. But I have found that you have to appear strong and capable at all times, which can be exhausting. When you are representing an entire group of people, the weight can be too much to carry. Read more>> 

Chaitin Maycott

I’ve learned to focus on what unites us as people and to approach each interaction with openness and a willingness to connect. By stepping up, introducing myself, and finding common ground, I can build relationships that are mutually supportive. We all have needs and goals, and I try to help others reach theirs—either directly or by connecting them with people I trust. At the end of the day, we’re all part of the same team, and anyone who doesn’t share that perspective may not be someone to bring along on the journey. Read more>>

Hala Kusiak

Being the only one in the room who looks like me can be challenging, but it also presents unique opportunities for growth and impact. Here are some strategies to help me be effective and successful in this situation: 1. Embrace My Uniqueness: Rather than viewing my “only one” status as a disadvantage, recognize it as a strength. My unique perspective and experiences can bring valuable insights to the table. Remember that I’ve been recognized for my talents, and my presence in the room is an opportunity to make a significant impact. Read more>>

Jessica G. Brokenbaugh

As someone raised by a single mother in the Bronx, NY, my journey to leading boardrooms and initiatives in Delaware has been both challenging and enlightening. Throughout my 25-year career, I’ve often found myself being ‘the only one in the room’ – whether as the first Latina woman to deliver a TEDx Talk in Wilmington, or while leading initiatives in education reform and community development. Read more>>

Dr Sarah Chaudhry

There have been so many classrooms, work, and social settings where I was the only one who looked different: darker hair, darker skin tone, and a different ethnic background. Whenever I am the odd one out, I always remember two important things my dad used to say to me. One, if there is no seat at a table for you, do not beg for a seat at that table; instead, sit at your own table, and have them want to sit at yours. And second, in a box full of crayons, if there are only yellow crayons and you are the only red one, you stand out because you are different and special; embrace it and see it as proof that you are special.  Read more>>

Soojin Kim

As an immigrant and a Korean, I’ve often found myself in environments where I’m one of the few with a different background. Initially, it was challenging, but I learned to turn this into a strength. My unique perspective has had a significant impact on my brand, allowing me to turn differences into opportunities. When I introduced ideas that were different from traditional macarons, I faced many challenges and setbacks, but now I can present my products with confidence. Collaborating with people who value diverse backgrounds has helped me better understand and embrace my own brand values.  Read more>>

Emily Chertow

It is all rooted in how I was raised. Early on my dad would whisper in my ear that ”I am a champion” and my mom would always urge me to explore my curiosity. I think that has supported my success and growth is I’ve always remained true and authentic to my believes and passions. If I’m curious about something, I look into it and I find an answer. Read more>>

Romain And Magali Azria

As French natives, opening a Tacos restaurant in California was a challenge, as we don’t have the Hispanic knowledge that characterizes this South American specialty. We are developing a new concept called “Gourmetacos”: we are using flour tortillas but are not offering any of the South American recipes. Instead, we are proposing recopies from France, Italy, Korea, Morocco, USA,…  Read more>>

Lucy Arnell

There is power in being the only one. There is only one sun. One moon. One Earth. There is only one you! It can feel scary to stand alone on the edge of the cliff, but it is also a beautiful place to be. There will always be people who would rather stay with the crowd and do what’s known, and some of those people do an incredibly gorgeous job of creating beautiful versions of known things. There will always be other people who want to make something new; who find satisfaction in exploring the liminal space between what’s discovered and what’s not. I’m constantly trying to pull ideas from that space. I can’t explain why, but it’s a place I feel I was born into. Read more>>

Lisette Devia

As a young Latina opening your independently owned pharmacy, you’re already navigating challenges that require a combination of resilience ,adaptability, and strong vision. Being the only one in the room who looks like you can sometimes feel isolating, but it also offers a unique opportunity to break barriers and redefine what success looks like.
I have been able to:
Embrace my unique perspective.
My experiences and understanding of diverse communities have allowed me to connect with a broader customer base and offer services that others may overlook. Read more>>

Misha Suvorov

Well, many immigrants and people of accent, in my opinion, follow the same pattern in the begging of their americanization journey – ostracizing and opposing yourself to local community. That’s at least what I did in my head 11 years ago, when I just arrived. Boy, I was wrong! Read more>>

Markita Van De Riet

When I enter a room, I see it as a stage to cultivate meaningful experiences, challenge stereotypes, and forge genuine connections. It’s my chance to be seen for who I am—beyond my race or gender. Often, we let insecurities hold us back, dismissing the idea that we might share values and life experiences with others in the room. But I believe my style and energy speak volumes. My uniqueness is my power, and I use it to make a lasting impact. Read more>>

Jamie Tolbert

I have learned that being the only one that looks like you in the room is an opportunity to change the narrative and erase stereotypes. There are so many assumptions made about others based on their race, sexual preference, gender, etc. and I believe that we all have unique opportunities to influence someone’s perception. I am proud to be a Black Lesbian and represent that in any room that I am in. There are many times that I am the only person of color in a space or the only member of the LGBT community but I capitalize on those opportunities by engaging with the people in the space. Read more>>

Menal Kidane

Being the only one in the room who looks like me has definitely posed challenges, but it has also taught me invaluable lessons in resilience, adaptability, and the importance of authentic self-expression. To be effective and successful in these situations, I’ve learned to leverage a few key strategies:
1. Confidence in My Perspective: I’ve learned that my unique background and experiences are assets, not liabilities. I make sure to bring my full self to the table, offering insights that others may not have considered. This helps create a space where diversity of thought can lead to better solutions. Read more>>

Sarah Jones

When I find myself feeling as if I’m the odd one out, I remind myself that it is my honor and duty to shine as my authentic self and that means sharing my gifts of connection through communication, discussions of my work with Seeking Source in the spiritual space, and sharing the perspective of living with the tools of astrology and tarot reading as one of many healing modalities that aid in managing my chronic illness. I have found myself in frequent situations where I am around a diverse group of people, yet some of them have never met someone like me; a compassionate, disabled, gay, witchy woman offering the gift of intuition. Read more>> 

Ashley Hammock

Navigating spaces where I am the only one who looks like me has been both challenging and empowering. As an African American woman, I leverage my unique perspective to offer fresh insights and solutions. Building a support network with mentors and professional groups, like the National Association of Black Women in Business (NABWIB), has been invaluable. I also focus on self-advocacy, resilience, and continuous learning to ensure my contributions are recognized and valued. Read more>>

Chandra Mayne

Honestly, growing up this was something I never paid any attention to because I was who I was and I didn’t see color or recognize being the “different” one in the room. Growing up in Southern California the room was just a place. Read more>>

Rania Stone

There have been many times when I’ve felt like the only one in the room who stood out. To do my job effectively without letting that lead to bitterness, I focus on helping the people around me as much as I can. Everyone has their own unique talents. In a business environment, I’ve learned to highlight mine, but if you placed me in a dance or art school, I’d likely be the worst student in the room. Read more>>

Chan Jones

As a Black woman working as a stylist in a male-dominated sport, I understand that my journey is distinct and requires me to fight ten times harder to establish my credibility and prove my worth. In this industry, I’ve learned that being underestimated can often be used as a superpower because it forces me to approach every room, every meeting, and every client interaction with unmatched precision, creativity, and excellence. I know I’m good at what I do—not just in terms of putting clothes together, but in understanding the deeper psychology of personal style and how it contributes to branding, confidence, and public perception. Read more>>

Fatima Khan

Being the only one in the room is challenging yet empowering. I’ve learned to view my identity as a strength rather than a barrier. It allows me to bring fresh perspectives. I remind myself that my voice enriches the conversation and opens doors for more diverse viewpoints. My skills, experiences, and insights are valuable. Read more>>

John Roderick

Remember where you came from, not the city or school you went to… your families American journey and if possible when and what brought them to the U.S. Oh yeah, be ready to work harder and smarter than anyone else in the room. Read more>>

Taylor Baresel

I have learned that being “the only one in the room” is a super power. Especially when you can practice the confidence to be that. People want to talk to you, and then you can ask them about themselves! You never know the connections you can make just by being yourself. Being yourself can also inspire others to be themselves, and the world needs more of that. Read more>>

Andréa Williams

People have different opinions about what success looks like. If someone wins, people believe that that person is a success. I believe that there is success in failure and making mistakes. Anytime that a person or organization can learn from their failures and mistakes is a time when you see a person or organization that is accountable and wants to survive. As an individual, success begins in the mindset. You are exactly who you think you are and who you think you are not. I learned to be effective through trial and error. Lessons learned. With nearly 14 years in the military, I learned the value of short and long term planning, identifying goals and objectives, practice/dry run, execution, and feedback. That cycle produced effectiveness which bore success. Read more>>

Blair Roedel

Being the only one in the room can feel isolating at times, but I’ve learned to see it as an opportunity to represent a unique perspective. Early on, I felt the weight of imposter syndrome, especially in my previous career—it was easy to feel like I didn’t belong. But entrepreneurship has completely shifted that for me. When you build something from the ground up, there’s no room to feel like an imposter because you’re the one making the decisions, driving the vision, and proving your own worth every day. Read more>>

Hannah Veldhoen

As a female comic I thrive on this. One of the things that’s helped me grow the most is being booked on shows where nobody looks or thinks like me. Think sketchy dive bars with no other female acts on the line up or toilet paper in the women’s washroom. It’s both terrifying and exhilarating facing an audience full of men ready to call me unfunny. My motivation comes from the desire to find the thing that makes us both laugh and prove them wrong. It’s almost worth the bathroom situation. Read more>>

Nat Raum

My intersecting identities (queer, disabled, neurodivergent) are each an aspect of who I am that greatly informs the decisions I make, the way I act, and certainly the way I am perceived by others. In moments where I am, say, the only trans person in the room, I remember that I am in the room because of who I am. All of these intersections ultimately brought me to who I am today: a person that is highly capable, empathetic, and sees things from a diverse perspective. So when I feel out of place, I just have to remember that I am also very much in the right place, and that I’ve earned my place there. Read more>>

Keiarra G.

Overcoming such obstacles didn’t just come about when I chose to start this line of business or any business for that matter. I was born the only one in the room that looks like me. I’ve lived and progressed through life in schools, neighborhoods and even households around people that didn’t look, talk, act, think or even vision life like me.. lol! Over the years you learn to adapt and shine in every aspect. The art of wanting to succeed at all costs is something special. I feel that is instilled within. I was born with that as well. For me it’s never what I look like. It’s never what I’ve been through, it’s all about where I’m on my way to, where I’m headed. I always give everything my 200%, Either i’m good with it or good at it.. Read more>>

Bridget Cook-burch

Before I was able to move fully into the career I love, revolving around bringing forward world-changing stories and leadership, I was living one of my own. I was the owner of a trucking company–yes a trucking company! This often shocked people in that they looked at me and thought I’d definitely choose an easier role than this male-dominated industry. My husband wasn’t an owner, and people made all kinds of assumptions, like my trucking company partner and I must somehow be romantically involved. Read more>>

Adrienne Bass

Being the only one in the room that looks like me has been both a challenge and an opportunity. I’ve learned to turn it into a strength by embracing my individuality and using it to bring fresh perspectives and ideas. For example, in my candle business, I create soy wax candles inspired by desserts and food, and I’ve added a unique twist—decorative candles that reveal hidden mental health messages. This idea stems from my personal values and lived experiences, which help me connect with others on a deeper level. Read more>>

Camille Ridley

Growing up as the only person of color in my class and one of just three in my high school in Empire and Clear Creek County shaped me in profound ways. I was surrounded by a lack of diversity from a young age, and that reality taught me to embrace my identity, even when it set me apart. With a German-white mother and Black father, I learned early on that my strength lies in my ability to navigate different worlds while remaining true to who I am. Read more>>

Treasure Mallory

I always felt like “the only one in the room” because I never wanted to do what everyone else did. When I became a leather crafter, that manifested in life because now I felt like nobody in my industry looked like me. The leather craft industry is white-male dominated – when I transitioned from working with fabrics to leather, there was one tutorial channel on YouTube by a man of color teaching leather work. I knew of two women of color selling their handmade leather goods, one of whom became my mentor. Read more>>

Phoebe Yu

As someone who has often been “the only one in the room,” I’ve learned to embrace my unique perspective as an opportunity rather than a barrier. My background and experience drove me to innovate where others saw limits. When I founded Ettitude, I was determined to disrupt an industry not known for sustainability. That required confidence in my vision and relentless focus on proving the value of our mission. Read more>>

Kara Elyse Henderson

As such, you are use to it and that allows you to rise above and focus on your gifts. While being the only one in the room can sometimes feel isolating, at this point, it’s what I’m accustomed to and not something I try to allocate much energy to. I’ve come to view these situations as four-fold opportunities. They allow me to challenge stereotypes, bring unique perspectives, foster diversity and pave the way for future talents to also go beyond the status quo. Read more>>

Emmy Jeffries

When you’re a woman in the field of construction, you’re typically the odd one out, but when you’re young and a woman there’s an added level of disconnection that makes effective communication more difficult. The greatest equalizer is to open a door of courtesy; let them know you respect them as a professional, you trust they know their field and hope they can put their trust in you as a professional in your field. I love to remind people that I trust them because it creates an air of respect that eases those uncomfortable conversations. Read more>>