The Freedom Forum: Karrah Herring, Indiana’s chief diversity officer

Karrah Herring, a South Bend native, never had any interest in working in government or politics. But when she heard Gov. Eric Holcomb explain why he wanted to create the state's first Office of Equity, Inclusion & Opportunity—and create a data portal to track diversity issues—she felt a calling to be part of the effort.

Since then, she's traveled the state, talking to businesses and organizations—as well as state agencies—about how to find and retain diverse talent, how to create equitable workplaces and how to invest in inclusion efforts. 

"We have to be comfortable challenging ourselves to take this pivotal moment in Indiana's history to change the narrative, to change the faces around the table," Herring told host Angela B. Freeman. "If we say we want to be a premier state, ... we're going to have to make some adjustments so that we can get that talent here."

Herring also explains why she believes the office and her position as chief equity, inclusion and opportunity officer should be codified into state law.