Have you ever taken a personality test? Are you more introverted, extroverted, or a true ambivert? No matter how many times I take the test, I am always an introvert. I know…some of you reading this are probably really surprised. For the majority of my childhood, I was the one sitting alone and totally okay with it. I did not like (or need) to be the center of attention. I was fine with a good book, solving puzzles, challenging myself in school, and escaping into the keys of the piano. To say the least, I was a fairly quiet person; nevertheless, quiet people tend to be very observant and deep thinkers.

From a young age, I knew that I was much better expressing myself in writing than in speaking. Act! for Youth was a community theater group for students in my hometown. I ended up participating in more than 25 shows between ages 5 to 18! I never landed high-profile roles in any of the shows, but community theater created an opportunity for me to shatter the shyness that resided within. I was able to sing, dance, and speak on stage in front of hundreds of people. Roughly 25+ years ago, I thought community theater was nothing more than an extracurricular activity. Upon reflection, I recognize the transferrable skills musical theater taught me and how I’ve applied them throughout my life.

The confidence that started building in community theater only fueled more growth in public speaking. I went on to be the student speaker for my high school graduation. I went to college and became a worship leader at a church just outside of Chapel Hill. I developed a boldness and found my voice. Of course, I found ways to hone my voice as I matured. I went on to defend multiple graduate degrees, give public presentations about science discoveries, and even became an international expert speaker on dry electrode technology.

So, how did I hone my voice in professional spaces?

I learned how to tune presentations for various audiences. This has become a very valuable skill. Here’s an example. When sharing very technical information about science to a room filled with other PhD experts, you have to get into the nitty gritty details. Scientists are curious people and they will keep asking questions until you have to say I don’t know. But let’s say that a non-scientist wanted to learn what you do for a living? They have no idea about the technicalities. Those people want practicality. How does what you do impact my life? Same work, although it requires a very different approach in describing it. Learning how to create the same story through numerous lenses took time. It took effort and practice. But, it serves me well when I write grant proposals or give science pitches to investors because I can think quickly on my feet so that my voice is impactful to a particular audience.

I focused on amplifying the voice of other women in the space. As a woman in science, it is very common to be the only woman in the room (especially if it’s a room full of PhD holders). The industry continues to work on diversifying the space, which is great! But let’s not overlook the women already in the space that need to be uplifted and respected. I’ve witnessed women being overtalked by men in countless rooms. I do my best to recognize that, and ensure that I do not just take space for myself but also amplify the voices of others that can be muffled unconsciously. I am also really grateful for the women in corporate spaces that have paused conversations to ensure that my perspective was heard. These small gestures do not go unnoticed. By supporting other women, I believe that a ripple effect is created. Our voice becomes more bold, our perspectives challenge dated narratives, and together we drive thoughtful change.

Even today I find ways to settle into the voice I’ve developed. One way I do that is by connecting with women I admire in leadership. Women are strong! When we sit together in community, we learn that we face similar challenges. I have found that women in leadership are great at helping you navigate complex spaces. They can share testimonies of how they succeeded and who are the best allies to have as you matriculate through your career. Finding supportive female mentors has been critical to me owning my voice in the chemical / battery industry.

Sitting at tables where I am the only woman has an inherent duality – isolating yet empowering.

Professionally, it has taken time to own my voice. Sitting at tables where in many cases I am the only woman can be very intimidating. And let’s compound that with the fact that I’m definitely the only Black woman in most rooms in my industry. Over time I have learned to lean into and appreciate my uniqueness. I remember that this seat at the table was hard earned and so I kick imposter syndrome out of the window. When self-doubt tries to creep into my mind, I remember the words of two of the most important women in my life. My mom would say, “Crystal, you are just as good as anyone else. Take up space because you deserve to have your ideas heard.” My grandma was much more succinct. She would simply say, “Talk that talk, girl!” So here I am, sharing my voice with the world hoping it inspires you to OWN YOUR VOICE too!