Last week, Kierra shared that "It's Ok To Not Be Ok." There are going to be days when you don't feel your best. There will be days when you can't seem to find the good in a situation no matter how hard you try. Those days will come, and those days will go.

We continue our #UMatter theme with the intuitively insightful Charla Yearwood, Founder & Clinical Director of Connected in Community. Charla’s practice mission is to provide inclusive therapy, coaching, and education services confronting oppressive societal norms for community liberation.

Last week, Denise shared how the pressures of being an entrepreneur significantly impact your mental health. Oftentimes, people don’t think about how things like your profession, school, family and even basic lifestyle choices can affect your mind, but they do. That being said, sometimes your surroundings aren’t the cause. Sometimes it comes down to a chemical imbalance that makes you feel things you can’t explain.

Our first highlighted Friday Feature of our #UMatter theme is the Honorable Geoffrey A. Gaither, who currently serves as the Presiding Judge of the Marion County Family Division courtroom.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month but personally, I believe we should be paying attention to this topic 24/7/365. The level of stigma associated with mental health astonishes me. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, an estimated 26% of Americans ages 18 and older, which calculates to about one in four adults, suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder each year.

We conclude our "Spring Forward" theme with an official leader of faith and hope for Indiana, Janae Pitts-Murdock, Senior Pastor at Light of the World Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Pastor Janae's dedication to the call on her life has led her to achieve exemplary personal and professional accomplishments.

Our “Spring Forward” theme teaches us to look at the journey of life objectively. Denise, Kierra, and Selena's blog challenges us to move forward and do the hard work needed to become stronger than ever.

We continue our “Spring Forward” theme with one of Indiana's most inspiring civic leaders, William Durham, who serves as the Executive Director of 100 Black Men of Indianapolis. With servitude at the helm of all he does, William has given his career to the nonprofit sector for over 20 years.

Someone once said that "Old ways won't open new doors." I couldn't agree more. After reading Kierra's blog last week, she reminded me that taking inventory of your life is essential for springing forward.

We continue our “Spring Forward” theme with the passionate and innovative community leader, Rico Francis, who recently obtained the position of Pacers Foundation Social Impact Director. Rico supports the foundation's programs and initiatives by collaborating with Indiana-based non-profit organizations to create a stronger, more inclusive, and more equitable community.

It’s easy to feel discouraged when you recognize that you’re responsible for roadblocks in your life, but you have to remember that it happens to everyone. Once you acknowledge that you’re standing in your own way, you can start pushing yourself to make necessary changes and move down the path toward your best self.

We continue our "Spring Forward" theme with the words that affirm the first Black woman to ever serve as President and CEO of IndyGo. A woman who is one of only nine Black women in the country to serve as CEO of a transit agency, Inez Evans.

There’s a Christian song written by Israel Houghton called “Moving Forward” that I absolutely love. It’s a song about change, hope, and new beginnings. There are two lines in the song that always give me chills when I hear them. The first, “I'm not going back, I'm moving ahead here to declare to you my past is over in you.” And the other, “You make all things new, and I will follow you forward,” which is sung repeatedly by the choir into a crescendo of epic proportion. When times are tough, or I find myself feeling out of sorts, I turn to this song.

Billie Dragoo, founder, and CEO of RepuCare and the Indiana Conference for Women chose not only to dream of the impossible but to do the impossible by not breaking when obstacles seem insurmountable.

I spent the better part of 2019 talking to myself about all of the reasons I wasn’t equipped for this role and how staying in my lane as a supporting character would be way more comfortable and stress-free.

Some of the greatest warriors amongst us tell the stories of those that have come before them. Our "Warrior Woman Friday Feature" series concludes with a woman that embodies both warrior and storyteller. Janet Allen is the Margot Lacy Eccles Artistic Director and serves the community by elevating intentional storytelling at The Indiana Repertory Theatre.

I'm talking to the woman who is questioning her purpose, the one that feels like they were born into a situation they can't get out of. YOU are every woman; YOU are enough; YOU can do anything.

Polina Osherov leads the charge as Executive Director of Pattern Magazine. In her role, she states she is "Interested in helping people pursue their goals, and equipping them to be successful through mentorship, professional development opportunities and connecting them to resources."

While you're pushing through exhaustion and digging deep at work, I also see that you're inspiring a woman who desires to have children. You're debunking the myths that women can't have careers and be a mom. You're also showing your kids the value of hard work and that it's essential to pursue their passions and follow their dreams. You're setting an example!

Herd Strategies celebrates Women's History Month by launching our “Warrior Woman” series. Warrior Women are dedicating themselves to being a change agent for all women. Our first feature knows all about going to war and winning. Renee Pillow is a certified personal trainer, former bodybuilding competitor, author of “Fit With Renee Fitness and Nutrition Manual,” and an expert on health & fitness. Her commitment to wellness and helping others reach their fitness goals is admirable.