Welcome to "Herd It Here," your go-to hub for the latest insights from our president, Denise Herd. Each month, she'll share her thoughts on current events, industry trends and key updates in her full newsletter, available right here.

Stay informed about what's happening with the Herd and discover valuable public relations, communications and leadership perspectives. Explore her monthly newsletter to stay in the know.

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October 2024

Jeffrey Epstein, R. Kelly, Diddy, Harvey Weinstein, Kevin Spacey, Matt Lauer, Jameis Winston, John Conyers, Charlie Rose, Cuba Gooding Jr., Conor McGregor, Emma Roberts, Chris Brown, Bobby Brown, Mike Tyson. These are just a handful of celebrities who have been accused of or are facing charges of sexual assault, domestic violence, or both. While many on this list have been found guilty in a court of law, for some, the jury in the court of public opinion doesn’t necessarily agree.

I was recently in the barbershop (yes, I go to the barbershop to keep my undercut tight) and walked in on a very confusing conversation. The guys in the shop were discussing R. Kelly. Just a quick moment of transparency: I am not a fan. He’s not to my taste, and I know saying that is almost equivalent to committing heresy, but I have to be honest. The consensus among the barbers and their male clients was that R. Kelly didn’t deserve to be in jail and that he was wrongly accused.

To say their rationale shocked me would be putting it mildly. When I asked why they felt this way, one person said R. Kelly isn’t a pedophile or a child molester because those charged with crimes of that nature are often harassed beyond measure while in prison, and this has not been the case for him. Another person felt that because the girls had permission from their parents to travel, record, and hang out with R. Kelly, it gave him a pass, and the parents were somehow in the know and approved of their daughter’s involvement with him. I’m sorry, but if you are a grown man and have an intimate experience with someone under 18, you are a child molester, a pedophile, or whatever you want to call it, and you deserve what’s coming your way.

Their theories made no sense to me, and I said so. I should have known better. None of the guys agreed with me, and since I began to feel uncomfortable with the conversation, I stopped engaging. They then moved on to Diddy and justified their positions on his innocence by stating that the women were with Diddy for the perks and their pursuit of fame, so they should have known better. Wow. This line of thinking needed to be explored, but I remained silent. These women are victims. They didn’t willingly enter a relationship fraught with mental and physical abuse, exploitation, and humiliation. Nobody does.

We must stop victim shaming and victim blaming when it comes to matters involving sexual harassment and domestic violence. According to the 2023 Domestic Violence by State report on WiseVoter.com, almost 43% of women in Indiana experience some form of domestic violence, ranking the state fifth in the nation for domestic violence incidents. Additionally, 32.8% of women in Indiana are victims of rape. If you add these two statistics, 75.8% of women in Indiana have been victimized. To put things into perspective, statistics like these translate into three out of four women being impacted.

We must stop trying to explain away behaviors and redirecting blame. The names listed at the beginning of this letter are just a few known perpetrators. There are so many whose names we don’t know, but they work, worship, volunteer, go to school, and live among us. Their victims look like you and me. There is no “look” of a victim or a victimizer. It can be anyone.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. If you or someone you know needs help, please contact the National Domestic Violence Network at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text “Start” to 88788. Also, take time this month to listen, learn, and educate yourself and others. Stop, learn, and listen. The life you save might be your very own.
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It’s back to school time. Well, it’s been back-to-school time for a while, but since I’m old-school, I don’t recognize school being in session officially until after Labor Day. I look at those weeks in August as trial run days. You know what I mean: getting to the bus stop on time, remembering your locker combination, getting your homework/study sessions on a routine, knowing how long you can hang with your friends and still get to class before the bell rings.
 
All year, I’ve spent much time immersed in education at all grade levels, from pre-school to graduate school. Right now, I can give anyone a run for their money by singing any of Gracie’s Corner ABC and counting songs and discussing Joan Woodward’s contingency theory with managerial scholars at the master’s and doctoral levels without missing a beat. And then, for good measure, I spent the summer teaching workshops for undergraduate students looking to strengthen their branding and communications skills, business owners trying to elevate their marketing presence and clients on practical interview skills.
 
For as long as I can remember, education has been my guiding light. I love to learn, love the library and love that “lightbulb” moment I experience when I’ve learned something new. But through all this, I realize that you must have an education no matter what you are studying or at what level. Children must be taught to read, count, and understand phonetics.  Adults shouldn't be afraid to ask for help or find a tutor.  We should never be scared to embrace education as a pathway to a new career, improve our lives, or learn how to do something that will fulfill a passion, hope or dream.
 
Back-to-school time is for more than just children—it’s for adults, too. I encourage you—no, I challenge you- to consider taking a class, visiting the library, signing up for a workshop, or attending a lecture. Feed your mind; the rest will follow, and you will be all the better because of it.

Let’s get it. School is in session.
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On May 18, Dr. Daniel Black, esteemed professor of Africana Studies at Clark Atlanta University (which happens to be my alma mater) and world-renowned author, delivered what has been proclaimed as the best commencement speech ever delivered in history.  He opened his address with the announcement, “Here they come, ya’ll! Here they come! Here they come y’all, here they come!! Doctors, lawyers, writers, business owners, teachers, healers, rappers, preachers – here they come, y’all, here they come!!”  The remainder of this address had the entire audience on their feet, waving fans, programs, and fists in the air while serving as a stark reminder of the power our Black communities have and our ability to change the world

August is Black Business Month, and we would be remiss if we didn’t take a little piece of Dr. Black’s speech and put the Herd stamp on it by saying, “Here we are, y’all, here we are,”  because let’s be honest, we’ve always been here. According to National Business Today, the history of Black entrepreneurship can be traced back to the late 1700s — when free and enslaved Black people opened small businesses like barbershops and tobacco outlets. Black-owned firms rose with emancipation and then, despite the times, grew during the early 20th century.
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July  2024

In the mid-1970s, the Steve Miller Band released a song whose prophetic words read, “Time keeps on slipping, slipping, slipping … into the future.” Those words are so powerful. The song, with its melodious harmonies and illustrative lyrics, should serve as a wake-up call to us that our physical time on Earth is infinite, and with each day, time is slipping into the future. 

We are halfway through the year, and I don’t know about you, but I keep asking myself, “Where did the time go?”  There were so many things I planned to accomplish in 2024, and I don’t think I’ve reached the midpoint in my to-do list. Was I too ambitious to think I could achieve all my goals and have a banner year? Did I not push myself hard enough? Did life get in the way? Reflecting on the first six months, I think it was all the above and then some.

But one thing I do realize is it’s not too late. It’s not too late for me to reflect on the first half of the year and celebrate my achievements, both those on my list and those not. It’s also not too late for me to change my list. It’s ok to change your goals. The harm comes when you have no goals to change. That’s when we become stagnant. Change is good. Being a bobblehead and just moving from side to side is not. Don’t be a bobblehead.

I challenge you (and myself) to gaze into the future and visualize what we want the next six months of 2024 to reveal. No goal is too big or too small. It’s ours to dream and realize. It’s also ours to ignore and miss the mark. So, what are you going to do? Do you need to lose those extra pounds? What time are you going to the gym, and how are you changing your diet? Do you plan to read a book a month? When did you last visit the library or log into your audible account?  Are you trying to get rid of your debt? Have you cut up your credit cards and created a savings plan?

Only you can create the plan and achieve the goals you have set for yourself. Don’t let 2024 become another year that we miss the mark. Let’s get going. We have six months until we ring in the new year and begin the process again. Remember, time – it’s slipping into the future. Who’s with me?
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June  2024

I recently finished packing my winter sweaters (although I left a few out because we all know how Indiana weather can be), and when I was done, I couldn’t help but smile. It’s June. Warmer temperatures are here, which means we can play outside. Goodbye to snow showers, icy conditions and freezing temperatures. Hello to outdoor concerts, food on the grill, double features at the drive-in and late evening sunsets.

The month of June has always held a very special place in my heart. For starters, June is Black Music Month. Created by President Jimmy Carter in 1979, Black Music Month celebrates the Black influence on all genres of music. If you’re interested in learning about the power of our influence, check out this article. It shares information about a few documentaries worth watching. June is also Pride Month when we recognize the advancements and contributions of our LGBTQIA+ community. We also celebrate Father’s Day in June, giving our fathers and father figures a special “thank you” for their love and continuous support.
 

The entire Herd invites you to check back with us for our upcoming “How They See Us” episodes. We plan to have a roundtable discussion with dads in our community to discuss the joys and sorrows of fatherhood. Also, it’s been nearly ten years since the U.S. Supreme Court struck down all state bans on same-sex marriage, legalizing it in all 50 states. We’re putting together a discussion with same-sex couples who have since said “I do” to learn about their journeys and discuss inequities that still exist. The entire Herd team will be in the community this month. If you see us, say hi, and let’s get a selfie for posterity. WE OUTSIDE!
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May  2024

I remember skipping and singing decades ago with a bright smile, “April showers bring flowers.” Back then, the song served as a fun reminder that while April included many rainy days that limited my ability to play outside, May had arrived, and all the beauty that comes with spring would soon be on full display.

As I’ve become more seasoned in life, I view May through a different lens. While April showers still bring May flowers, those flowers symbolize my well-being. May is Mental Health Awareness Month. It was established in 1949 to increase awareness of the importance of mental health and wellness in Americans’ lives and to celebrate recovery from mental illness.

According to a 2024 study conducted by the McLean Hospital, 25% of African Americans seek mental health treatment, compared to 40% of white Americans. Unequal access to health care is one major contributor to this disparity. Nearly 10% of Black people in the U.S. do not have health insurance, compared to 5.2% of non-Hispanic white people. But there’s more to this issue, and we all know it. It’s stigma. The stigma that comes with admitting that things aren’t quite right. The stigma associated with acknowledging that it might be time to hang up your Superwoman (or Superman) cape. The stigma of confessing that you're not okay.

Well, here’s a secret: You’re not alone. We all deal with family, work, and life issues that can spin us around any day. Suppose you’re feeling out of balance, overwhelmed or depressed. Get some help. There is no shame in pressing the pause button on everyone else’s needs and placing yours first. That’s not selfish. That’s survival.

For me, 2022 and 2023 were the most challenging years of my life. Everything that could go wrong did. It was as if I could not outrun life’s challenges, and it took a toll on my mental health. Thankfully, my incredible support system lifted me up when I thought I would fall. They also let me transfer my life load to them when things became too heavy for me to carry. It took me a minute to swallow my pride and admit help was needed. But what a difference it made when I admitted things weren’t well.

So, as we all skip into May, leaving April’s showers behind us, please remember that it’s okay not to be okay. If you’re not okay, though, don’t be afraid to say you’re not okay to get the help you need to become okay. OK?
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April  2024

I love the month of April. Flowers are beginning to bloom; we play outside more; the time changes, and the days are longer. It rains a lot in April, but as we all know, April showers bring May flowers, so what’s not to love about a little rain shower here and there? Above all, I find that April is a time for renewal. The winter doldrums will soon be a thing of the past, and now we can have fun. April is also National Volunteer Month. It is a time when we should all take a few days to roll up our sleeves and volunteer.

It’s been three months since many of us did our annual holiday volunteer service. Buying presents for families, donating meals, and ensuring those in need felt loved during the holiday season. Just because the holidays are over doesn’t mean the need for volunteers has disappeared. There is a heightened need for volunteers to tutor students, which will only increase once they’re out of school for summer break, neighborhood cleanups begin, and, as you know, the needs of our homeless neighbors never go away.
 
So, this month, take a moment and look around. Where can you donate your time and talents for just a few hours? I would add treasures to this list, but that’s the easy way out. Yes, a monetary contribution can make a difference, but think about how your smile, handshake, hug, or pat on the back will leave an impression that will last forever.  I am a big proponent of volunteering. I don’t think there was ever a time when this wasn’t a priority. I’ve served meals at the Ronald McDonald House, helped build a home with Habitat for Humanity, packed food boxes at Gleaners, and during Covid, I visited seniors and, while socially distanced, made them feel less lonely by spending afternoons talking to them. 

Your community needs you. Decide to volunteer this month. If you’re unsure where to volunteer or what you’d like to do, look at this website. There are so many options. I’m sure one of them is just right for you.
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March  2024

It’s Women’s History Month, so suffice it to say for the next 31 days, our social media timeline and email inboxes will be filled with women’s empowerment affirmations, invitations to receptions, retreats and group think sessions.  A lot of love will be displayed in celebration of the XX chromosomes. 
 

I think that’s all well and good, and I do plan to participate in several girl power activities, but let us all remember as we walk through these 31 days of the woman that we need to acknowledge, support, and empower women the remaining 334 – well in 2024 335 days of the year. I say this because I think women have a hard time supporting other women. I don’t think it’s intentional (well, sometimes it is), but occasionally, we say mean things and are unaware of how our attempt to help one another has led to the opposite result.
 

When I opened the doors of Herd Strategies, I was extremely nervous. I had just dissolved a company I had run for three years alongside a business partner.  While I didn’t know her well when we started our venture, we had grown close over the years.  When our venture failed, I remember telling her that losing her as a friend would hurt me more than losing the business. She smiled and agreed. But you know what happened. As soon as the dissolution was done, she blocked my phone number and unfriended me on all social media platforms, and it’s been 12 years since I’ve spoken to her. And let’s not forget about the terrible rumors she started about me throughout the community.
 

To compound matters, while in the early days of Herd Strategies, I met with a woman business owner in the community whom I admired. She told me since I am a Black woman (she is white), I should not hire any Black staff and to be careful about hiring too many women. Say what? So, I, as a Black woman, should not hire people who look like me. That leaves only one race and gender eligible for employment with my company. Wow.
 

These two experiences significantly impacted me and reminded me how we, as women, must pay special attention to our words and how we treat one another. We can’t profess publicly our commitment to uplifting women and then behave in ways that demean one another when we think no one is looking. 
 

As we walk through Women’s History Month, let’s all take some time to think about our relationships with the women in our lives. Do you have some relationships that need to be healed? Are there some unfinished conversations that need to be had? It’s Women’s History Month. It is a time for us to think about the personal histories we are writing for ourselves and making and make sure we are charting a course that uplifts the women we interact with each day. Go forth and make her-story! It’s your time.
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February  2024

Emerge (verb): to become manifest; to rise from or as if from an enveloping fluid; to rise from an obscure or inferior position or condition; to come into being through evolution.

2024 is in full swing. We’re halfway through February, Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching, and Black History Month social media posts honoring our past, present, and future are flooding our timelines. Time is moving so quickly, and there seem to be not enough hours in the day to cross off everything on our to-do lists. This has been a concern of mine ever since we returned to our “new normal” after the Covid-19 pandemic. It’s as if we’re trying to make up for lost time and make amends for something entirely out of our control. 

Since the world shut down in March 2020, four years ago, I have decided that it’s time for me to emerge from what was and what is and focus on what will be. From 2020 through 2021, we lived unprecedentedly uncertain and afraid. From 2022 to 2023, we tried to resume life as we knew it, but it was like trying to fit a square peg in a round hole. Many things weren’t the same, but we wanted to make it work the best we could. It’s 2024, and we owe it to ourselves to take what we know and forge new paths for ourselves. We deserve this.

We deserve to emerge from what we’ve lived through and to give ourselves grace and forgiveness. We deserve to emerge from hiding ourselves to living out loud and unapologetically. We deserve to emerge from sitting back quietly, ignoring matters of racism, sexism, and microaggressions, to letting those know when their behaviors are offensive to us and others.

We’ve witnessed and experienced a lot since 2020, and our lives as we knew it will never be the same. We must emerge from the effects over the past four years ready to chart our new destinies. We must emerge prepared to work together to improve our city, state, nation, and world. It sounds cliché, but it’s true. It’s time to emerge