I know life is sometimes about doing what you have to do but that can't be all of it. You should also be doing a lot of what you want to do. Just like me, I had to go to school all year but now it's summer vacation and I AM FREE and all summer I'm doing things my way! You should too.

#HaveYouHerd: Kicking off our #FridayFeature for the month of June is a new organization that aims to combat homelessness amongst the LGBTQ+ society. Trinity Haven provides safe, affirming housing for LGBTQ youth experiencing housing instability. To learn all about how Trinity Haven aims to help keep our LGBTQ+ members off the streets, keep on reading.

As we celebrate Pride Month, the word that came to the team, the truth we want to honor as we recognize our friends within the LGBTQ+ community is freedom. The freedom to be you. To do what you feel is right for you. To stand in your truth and to be unapologetic about it. Let go of societal burdens that weigh heavy on your heart, mind, and soul.

#HaveYouHerd: Finishing out our last #FridayFeature for the Month of May is someone who stays unbothered while making others feel their best. Dana McFarlin is a licensed Esthetician who is also the owner of Clarity Skin Care Solution, located right here in Indianapolis. To find out how she does both, keep on reading.

The #HerdWordoftheMonth is unbothered, and I just can’t help but think of what that means to me as a new college graduate. Yes, this month, I graduated from college. Like, can you BELIEVE it?! I, Rachon Lucio, received my bachelor’s degree in Journalism, focusing on public relations, and a minor in Corporate and Organizational Communications.

#HaveYouHerd: Thinking of what it means to be unbothered, there was one person we knew we would want as our #FridayFeature, Deonna Craig. Deonna is a Visual Artist and the Owner of Art by Deonna Craig. To learn more about Deonna and her work, keep reading.

This month our team’s #HerdWordoftheMonth is “unbothered”. Oftentimes when we hear the word unbothered, we imagine someone who is or has been upset by something and is now absolutely over it. They are likely refusing to give that thing, that situation, or that person any more of his or her time and consideration. This is definitely a true reflection of the word and most of us have been here before and will likely be here again at some point because...life. But it’s not the only reflection.

#HaveYouHerd: Today’s #FridayFeature is someone who stands in his truth, knowing that what he is doing is for the greater good. Brandon Randall is the Director of Engagement of VOICES Corp. To find out how Brandon exudes being unbothered, keep reading.

#HaveYouHerd: Kicking off our first #FridayFeature for the month of May is someone who has found her lane and is blazing trails along the way. Despite some curveballs, she remains unbothered and focused on meeting her goals. Meet Leila Champion, the founder and Executive Director of The Champion Project. To learn more about her and her story, keep reading.

Here we are again! It’s a new month and time to announce the Herd word that will serve as our theme to carry us through the next several weeks. After a lot of brainstorming, tossing words against the wall to see what would stick and cycling through the dictionary, we looked around us and realized the word that best described what we are witnessing is … Unbothered.

#HaveYouHerd: Today’s #FridayFeature is someone whose career has been an ongoing adventure. Max Siegel is the CEO/Owner of Max Siegel Inc. and the fourth CEO of USA Track and Field! To get a closer look at Max’s adventures, keep on reading.

When I think of the word escapade, I automatically think of college and just how much of an adventure it has been. With just two weeks left in my college career, I’m beginning to find myself feeling a little sad. The entire time you’re in college, you keep thinking about the day when you will finally walk across the stage and bask in the glory of making it! I am excited to say that it’s finally here!

#HaveYouHerd: Today’s #FridayFeature is one that will leave you coming back for seconds! Chef David Brown and Chef Adam Belt’s adventures have led them to open their very own restaurant, House of Soul Cafe.

As I thought about what I'd write in the wake of yesterday's historic step toward accountability following the Derek Chauvin verdict, I couldn't help but think about the lives of those in closest proximity to the tragedy of George Floyd's murder. Each and every one of those people's lives have changed drastically.

#HaveYouHerd: Today’s #FridayFeature is someone who has taken on a new adventure all her own! Darice Rene is the Vice-President of Strategy at Valve+Meter Performance Marketing. She is also a speaker, author, and creative entrepreneur who recently started her own podcast, “effortless and Unbothered”! To learn about Darice’s latest adventures, keep reading.

My family and I have been locked in the house for a whole year! A whole year! I really miss my family and friends and doing some of our favorite activities like going to gymnastics, eating in restaurants, shopping, and traveling! But I am also really enjoying all of the quality time I am getting to spend with my family. We have had to make up our own adventures inside the house to make sure everybody stays safe. In a way, it’s like we are making new traditions. We call them homemade escapades!

#HaveYouHerd: Today’s #FridayFeature is someone whose books have taken us on many adventures, Tamara Winfrey-Harris. Tamara is not only the Vice President of Community Leadership and Effective Philanthropy for Central Indiana Community Foundation, but she is also a nationally renowned writer and speaker. To learn more about Tamara and her adventures, keep reading.

It’s spring and I can’t help but think about Janet Jackson smiling and singing “Come on baby, let's get away … Let's save our troubles for another day … Come go with me, we've got it made Let me take you on an escapade … Let's go!

#HaveYouHerd: Rolling into a new month and another #FridayFeature. Today we are highlighting someone whose escapades have led her to do circles around us...we’re not kidding. Dinah Allen, the founder of Muffy Skates, is an Indianapolis native who turned her hobby of rhythm skating into a business! To learn more, keep on reading.

“Sometimes I get so tired, then I remember what Harriet Tubman did for a living.”

This sits on my desk. I don’t know who created it, but when I saw it – it spoke to my entire soul. I use it as a reminder to keep pushing – no matter the challenge.