This month, The Herd will be sharing our love for music and how it shapes our lives. We invite you to follow us on all our social media platforms as we highlight a few of our favorite music venues, artists, and concerts. We love music … any kind of music and are grateful for the joy it brings to our lives.

Our guest blogger for this PRIDE month is Dr. Melva Black, Deputy Director for the Nashville Metropolitan Public Health Department in Tennessee. Dr. Black has over 15 years of experience in health care but her focus has been serving as a #ChangeAgent in HIV/AIDS health and education. She is a member of several organizations and serves on multiple boards and committees including Chair Emeritus of the Community HIV/AIDS Partnership with United Way of Middle Tennessee. In her blog today, Dr. Black shares how creating safe, inclusive spaces not only unifies us, it also leads to the improved health and wellbeing of our LGBTQIA+ community.

Kenneth Allen is an Indianapolis Public Schools at-large Board Commissioner who assisted in the development of a resolution supporting LGBTQIA+ students after the passing of Senate Bill 480. He is a certified child and youth care worker with Indiana Youth Services Association who fights to provide quality and equitable education for all children through civic engagement and servitude.