At home, on my refrigerator, I have a magnet with a quote that reads, “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” I bought this magnet decades ago at an art fair. I thought, “How cute, this is so true,” but recently, while sitting at my kitchen table and glancing at that magnet, it hit me as to how powerful that statement is.

#HaveYouHerd: Wrapping up the month of August is someone who The Herd absolutely adores. Today’s #FridayFeature is Tammy Butler Robinson, who is the CEO for Engaging Solutions. To read about how Tammy is leading Engaging Solutions down a successful path, keep reading.

“Milestone” is an interesting word to write about when you’re in your mid-twenties, like me. Not to say that I haven’t accomplished anything, because joining The Herd was a big milestone in itself, but I feel like I’ve only reached those “conventional” moments that Selena mentioned last week, and I need to figure out my personalized goals.

Our #FridayFeature is someone who has been leading the efforts to improve Hoosiers’ health and safety. Kristina Box, MD, FACOG, is the State Health Commissioner and leads the Indiana Department of Health. To learn about how Dr. Box is working to protect Hoosiers and improve their health, keep on reading.

Life is a journey filled with milestones. Depending on your age, you might have experienced some of what society calls the “conventional milestones” such as voting, getting your driver's license, graduating high school, getting married, parenthood, homeownership, or retiring. I think it’s safe to say that these milestones are the defining moments for the different stages of adulthood.

#HaveYouHerd: For today’s Friday Feature, we look to a good friend of Herd Strategies, who also happens to be an advocate for enhancing the quality of life for Hoosiers. Corey L. Wilson is the Vice President for Community Engagement with Pacers Sports & Entertainment and the Executive Director of the Pacers Foundation. To learn more about Corey and his remarkable achievements, keep on reading.

I’m proud of what Herd Strategies has accomplished and am excited about what the future holds. I thank everyone who played a hand in getting us to this milestone.

#HaveYouHerd: Today’s #FridayFeature is someone who has been a client and friend of Herd Strategies since we opened our doors. Her work and accomplishments have led her to achieve unprecedented milestones and have raised the bar for those who come behind her. This monumental achiever is none other than Maggie A. Lewis, majority leader of the Indianapolis City-County Council representing District 10 and chief executive director of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Indianapolis. To learn more about Maggie and her extraordinary work, keep on reading.

Is summer already over? That’s truly insane. It feels like I just talked to you all about #DWYGD, but now that it’s already August, it’s time for a new Herd Word of the Month: Milestone. A milestone is an action or event marking a significant change or stage in development. . As schools reopen, it reminds me of two milestones I recently achieved. I graduated college and started working … in “the real world”.

Hello to you all! My name is Kierra Santillan and I’m the newest addition to Herd Strategies. That being said, I’m also the newest addition to the Herd blog, and what a great month to start with! After the insanity that was 2020, I think #DWYGD is the best phrase to live by to make 2021 better than the chaos we all endured.

#HaveYouHerd: When you are passionate and have a vision, you will #DWYGD “Do what you gotta do” to get your vision across the finish line. That is precisely what today’s Friday Feature has done. Earl Martin Phalen is an extraordinary person who is the Founder and CEO of Phalen Leadership Academies. To learn more about him, keep reading.

Hi! I’m Selena Coles, the newest addition to The Herd squad. By day, I’m an Account Manager, but I’m also a wife, mom, soror, and fitness, and health enthusiast. I have a B. A. in Mass Communications from Virginia State University, with years of experience in Corporate and Non-profit Communications, Public Relations, and Marketing.

Happy July! I feel like no one says happy July, so I will. Things are truly different than they were a year ago. This time, last year, we started seeing a huge resurgence in Covid-19 cases in America, specifically in Marion County. Restrictions were tighter, and we couldn’t do much. Now, a year later, we are able to go back out into the world. It’s different, though. What’s different, you may ask? US! We are all different; I’m not the same individual who entered quarantine last year.

As I am walking through my own personal journey to #DWYGD I know how hard it is but I’m so glad I have an opportunity to pause and take time to do what I have to do – for me. #DWYGD it’s your time.

Pride is one of those interesting words in the English language that has different meanings depending on when you use it. Merriam Webster lists the various definitions for Pride ranging from highest pitch to a company of lions, or even a showy or impressive group. But sometimes when people hear others talking about LGBTQ+ Pride, they think, what about straight pride? I think the reason for that is they’re confused about what PRIDE really means in this context. LGBTQ+ PRIDE isn’t about arrogance or conceit. It is not about thinking being LGBTQ+ is better than any other orientation. Pride, in this context, is the opposite of shame.

#HaveYouHerd: Another Friday means another Friday Feature. Today’s feature is someone who is a storyteller and literacy advocate. Miss Mossy Stone is Indianapolis’s Literate Drag Queen. She is a fantastic storyteller and person.

Happy Pride Month! I’ve waited all month long to say that! Our Herd word of the month is “freedom” and what better way to celebrate freedom than Pride month? The answer is that there isn’t! I am a gay Latinx male. I celebrate my freedom by being who I am and living my life how I choose. What seems to get lost is that being gay is not all that I am. I’m more than that; I am me.

We all need to put ourselves first when it comes to our health. Going to the doctor and knowing your status is one way to own your health. Today’s #FridayFeature is someone who has been a health/HIV advocate for many years. Deidra J. Coleman is an advocate for health and HIV in Marion County and is known for her fashion because she owns her owner of Denderah’s, a clothing brand. To learn all about Deidra, keep on reading.

This month the Herd is focusing on freedom and I cannot think of a better word to describe this season. Freedom, dare I say, is arguably the most valuable commodity in the world, next to perhaps water and air and after a year like what we’ve had, everybody is dying for more of it!

#HaveYouHerd: Today’s #FridayFeature is on an LGBTQ+ community advocate that we all know and love, Belinda Drake. Belinda also serves as a Youth Development Project LEAD at Adult&Child here in Indy. To read more about Belinda and why she is so great, keep on reading.