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Holcomb Names First-Ever Equity And Inclusion Cabinet Officer

Karrah Herring, the first-ever Indiana Chief Equity, Inclusion and Opportunity Officer.
Karrah Herring, the first-ever Indiana Chief Equity, Inclusion and Opportunity Officer.

Indiana government has its first-ever cabinet officer dedicated to equity and inclusion.

Gov. Eric Holcomb announced Thursday he’s chosen Karrah Herring to fill the newly-created position.

Holcomb first proposed the creation of a diversity officer for his cabinet in August, in response to this summer’s protests over racial inequity and police brutality.

READ MORE:  What’s Driving This Moment In Indiana: Protest Organizers Discuss Demands For Change

In a statement, he said Herring will help guide every state agency to, in the governor’s words, “build diversity and foster an inclusive environment within state government and the services we provide.”

Herring calls her appointment “an incredible opportunity to drive cultural change.”

She’s currently the director of public affairs at the University of Notre Dame. Herring will join state government in her new role Feb. 1.

Contact reporter Brandon at  bsmith@ipbs.org or follow him on Twitter at @brandonjsmith5.

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Brandon J. Smith has previously worked as a reporter and anchor for KBIA Radio in Columbia, MO. Prior to that, he worked for WSPY Radio in Plano, IL as a show host, reporter, producer and anchor. His first job in radio was in another state capitol, in Jefferson City, as a reporter for three radio stations around Missouri. Brandon graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a Bachelor of Journalism in 2010, with minors in political science and history. He was born and raised in Chicago.