Join Me: Embracing an Inclusive Conference Made for Women

Traveling to conferences has been a significant part of my professional journey, taking me from New Jersey, through the bustling streets of New York—a global networking capital—and even further to Vilnius, Lithuania. Each conference brings its own mix of learning and networking, but it was really in Vilnius that I had this eye-opening moment about how far I’d come—not just in miles, but in figuring out what I truly value in these experiences.

And so it begins: Traveling to Another Event

I was traveling to Vilnius, to attend a conference hosted by my mentor of two years, whom I had yet to meet in person. It felt like such a great opportunity to learn directly from someone I deeply respect while soaking in a totally different culture. As we drove from the airport to the resort, the architecture and signs were vivid reminders of how close I was to Russia—a place that once seemed so distant and formidable. After traveling a lot through Western Europe, it hit me: this was the farthest east I'd ever been. That realization made me reflect on not just the physical journey but also on personal boundaries I had crossed. In that moment, I thought to myself, “Girl, you've gone too far.”

The conference itself was enriching, but I couldn’t help but notice that I was one of only two women there—and the only brown-skinned woman at that. It’s a feeling that’s all too familiar: being stared at and feeling out of place heightened my awareness of just how far from home I really was. The sessions were great until a tense moment with another attendee reminded me how crucial community support is. Even though I felt alone, I stood my ground and later realized that this lack of immediate support reflected a larger issue I'd been thinking about for some time.

Realizations and Reflections: The Status Quo of Conferences

Looking back on these experiences, I accepted them as just part of the deal—where standing out as the only brown-skinned person and facing challenges seemed like the norm at conferences. It felt like navigating spaces that were more isolated than inclusive was just how things went. However, it wasn’t until recently—just last month—that I stumbled upon Rachel Rodgers and her Hello Seven network. When she mentioned the ROI Summit, it really caught my attention—it’s an event designed specifically for women and women of color. This was such an eye-opener for me; it showed me there’s an alternative to the status quo where our uniqueness is celebrated and inclusion is genuinely embraced.

Invitation to Connect: Join Me at an Inclusive Conference

Now, here’s where my message comes in: I'm inviting you to join me at the ROI Summit! This isn’t just about finding comfort in a welcoming environment; it’s also about making strategic connections that could lead you to potential investors, mentors, partners, clients—or as Rachel calls it, a "business bestie." Whether you're a seasoned pro at conferences or just starting out in these spaces, or maybe a retiring C Suite executive this is your chance to be part of an environment made for us—to grow, learn, mentor, and thrive alongside others who see and appreciate our unique contributions.

I get it; discussing feelings of being ostracized in professional settings can be tough because people might interpret it differently. But I encourage you to share your own stories! Have you ever attended a conference or networking event where you felt out of place? Drop your experiences in the comments below or shoot me a DM if you'd rather keep it private. And if you're interested in joining the ROI Summit, just leave "ROI" in the comments! I'll gladly DM you with more info. Also, if we’re not connected yet and you’re reading this, send me a connection request—I’d love to connect with you and expand our networks together! Purchase ticket here https://roi.helloseven.co/?utm_campaign=ROI%202025&utm_content=315881312&utm_medium=social&utm_source=linkedin&hss_channel=lcp-69695526