Today we’d like to introduce you to India Murrell
Hi India, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
It took some time to accept my assignment but to no avail, I started to move with purpose on purpose. I grew up in Memphis where I was a three-time graduate of Treadwell before going on to study French at the University of Tennessee. As a single parent, my mother, Wendy Murrell, instilled high morals and the importance of education in my siblings and I, while my grandmother, Sallie Sails, and Bishop TL McCray Sr. provided pastoral guidance that shaped my values
I was drawn to the French language and culture, which deepened my pursuit of a life rooted in joy and fulfillment, a concept that became even more meaningful through a Kid Cudi song, inspiring my own “pursuit of happiness.” As a first generation graduate, I would play this song as I walked the unfamiliar streets of Paris, France. The chorus motivated me to remain persistent, obtain my degree, and trust the plan. My early experiences in youth programs introduced me to the transformative impact of support and mentorship, leading me to serve in AmeriCorps twice and later devote 11 years to nonprofit and education, focusing on college access and completion.
After years of searching for purpose, God revealed my assignment through POH, where I feel called to empower young ladies. Today, with a Master’s in Social Impact and as a doctoral candidate in Human Services, I owe my journey to my upbringing, faith, FRAMILY, and unwavering perseverance.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Jason, my family, and sister friends are often responsive when I am in doubt because this journey has not been easy. Everything that shines ain’t always gonna be gold,” as Kid Cudi says. I’ve struggled with anxiety, boundaries, low self-esteem, and postpartum depression. I sometimes questioned my path and purpose, but these experiences have also strengthened my resilience. Every challenge deepened my dedication to my purpose and taught me something about who I am. Those challenging times served me and increased my advocacy, especially when it comes to mentoring young ladies who might experience similar difficulties.
I remember fasting and praying for something new. I stopped praying and I started bargaining but I learned that no one else is SHAPE(spiritual gift, heart, ability, personality, and experience) like me. This assignment is for me to complete and I am prepared to face any obstacle that comes my way.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Empowering young women and girls to succeed in life after high school is the main goal of my work. As Executive Director of POH Memphis, I have developed programs that are expressly designed to prepare disadvantaged and underprivileged girls, including those in foster care, for the next stages of their lives. These programs are created with the ladies on my caseload in mind. Throughout my eleven years in education and charity work, I have focused on college access and completion, making sure that students—especially underprivileged and first-generation students—get the resources they need in order to succeed.
I stand out because I am aware of the difficulties that young women in my community face. I am aware of the stereotypes and the statistics. I can provide both advice and empathy because I’ve been in their shoes and have overcome obstacles in my own life. Creating a safe place for young ladies to boost their self-esteem, receive resources, and increase SEL skills is my goal. I am most proud of creating spaces where young women feel supported, seen, and prepared to pursue their dreams. My journey from being a participant in youth programs to serving others has shown me the transformative influence of mentoring and support.
Outside of programs and nonprofit life, I am actively researching the effectiveness of transitional housing for foster youth in my Doctorate of Human Services program, with the goal of addressing a critical gap in support for young ladies aging out of the system. It’s a privilege to turn my experiences, faith, and purpose into a mission that changes lives.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
Whether you’re interested in mentoring, sponsoring our programs, or collaborating on initiatives that support young women, we’re always open to partnerships that will aid to our impact. Visit us on our website, https://www.pohmemphis.org/ for more information.
We are in need of local board members/visionsharers who are interested in supporting our initiatives of college access and completion, life skills, or transitional support for foster girls. Businesses can also support by sponsoring activities, volunteering, or offering internships and job shadowing experiences for the young ladies we serve.
Financial contributions are another way to support. Donations go directly towards our programs and resources, especially for foster youth transitioning out of care. Anyone interested in learning more or getting involved can reach out through our website or contact me, imurrell@pohmemphis.org, directly to explore how we can work together to empower young ladies in Memphis.
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Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.pohmemphis.org/
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