Today we’d like to introduce you to Herman Armstrong
Hi Herman, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in north St. Louis City. Some of my earliest memories include crossing the Delmar Divide daily after being transferred to gifted schools in south City. This sparked a sense of curiosity towards the different qualities of life throughout St. Louis, primarily along racial lines. I graduated from Gateway STEM High School and studied Biology at UM-Rolla (now Missouri S&T). I spent one summer as an intern for the United Way of Greater St. Louis and three summers with the St. Louis Agency on Training and Employment (SLATE). During my time at SLATE, I taught college and career readiness to high school students.
I obtained my Bachelor of Science and worked in a laboratory out of state for a year. The work was interesting; however, my internship experiences sparked a desire for working with youth and schools that corporate life did not fulfill. After that year at the corporate laboratory, I moved back to St. Louis and worked for several nonprofits. Eventually, I landed as Director for the Upward Bound college preparation program, where I was able to work with several high schools including Gateway. This role provided the chance to speak at national conferences, understand the importance of strategic planning, and develop as a leader of people.
I have continued my journey of lifelong learning by obtaining an MBA, a Master’s in Theological Studies with a focus on Counseling, the Certificate in School Management and Leadership (CSML) through the Harvard Business School, and I am a certified administrator of the Intercultural Development Inventory and the Emotional Quotient Inventory 2.0 and 360.
Currently, I have the privilege of serving as Executive Director of Restore St. Louis, an impactful nonprofit engaged in mitigating poverty and promoting racial reconciliation. I also have the privilege of operating Kathairo Solutions, where I provide executive coaching to leaders with a focus on intercultural competence and emotional intelligence. My journey has taught me that leadership is all about developing and maintaining genuine relationships.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road has not been smooth. My earliest hurdle was growing up without a father. Although my mother was amazing, I felt the void. There were times where I would be typecasted negatively, which deeply wounded my confidence. During my junior year of high school my family experienced a house fire and we lost everything. It was extremely traumatic. I had to learn how to maintain order at work and school while dealing with tragedy, or at least do my best to keep it all together. These mental and physical struggles taught me how tragedy often comes unexpectedly and that success requires being able to pivot, address the situation, and stay focused on life goals. Mine at the time were graduating high school and going to college.
Another big challenge was obtaining my undergraduate degree because college life was a huge culture shock. There were several times when I felt like quitting and coming back home because I felt like I didn’t belong. My mother convinced me to keep pushing. She was enrolled at another college at that time so we kept each other motivated until we both graduated. I’m so glad we listened to each other.
The mindset I developed in these times continues to help me persevere through personal and career challenges, such as the passing of my mother and trying to launch a business during the pandemic. To this day I enjoy speaking at schools and mentoring young men in adverse situations. I use my story to tell them that their circumstances do not define them. Others may write you off, but don’t give up on yourself!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Kathairo was born out of my own leadership adventures and experiences navigating race and culture in St. Louis. You know those times when leaders see a problem, but can’t put their finger on it? Our coaching is known for solving organizational issues that are below the surface such as miscommunication, unconscious bias, and any cultural divides. I kept finding myself in polarized situations and noticed that, when people took the time to pause and talk, they eventually were able to find common ground and respect the viewpoint of others (even if they did not agree with it).
We are known for balancing sensitivity and candor. Our philosophy is based on not being afraid to go deep and discuss the hard things. We set ground rules to create a safe space for all involved, facilitate open and honest discussion, and get to the root of issues. Establishing safety and transparency creates the first step to mutual understanding and positive change.
We offer training on the history of race in America and St. Louis, and can develop a session on any metropolitan area or institution. Knowing the past helps us understand the divides that still remain. We also provide training on bridging cultural divides that can be tailored to any setting.
We specialize in utilizing in-depth assessments to provide objective feedback for leadership development plans. For executive coaching we use the Intercultural Development Inventory and the Emotional Quotient Inventory 2.0 and 360 assessments. These services are beneficial to corporate and nonprofit entities alike. Why? Because all work is based on relationships.
We are known for entering organizations, helping people identify their blindspots, and improving organizational culture through catalyzing unity. Tangible evidence can be seen in diversity commitment statements, increased employee retention rates, and client statements such as, “I look forward to continuing to grow as an individual and an organization and I recommend his services for any organization that is seeking to grow in cultural awareness.”
“Kathairo” comes from the words of Jesus in John 15 about pruning or cutting branches to make them more fruitful. Kathairo empowers leaders to let go of harmful mindsets and practices so that relationships can thrive. This boosts employee morale, thereby increasing productivity and retention. Our clients improve their inner culture which improves how they relate to other groups as well. Through group training and individual coaching, Kathairo helps create a culture that people will want to stay loyal to.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
My path to becoming a nonprofit Executive Director and Owner of Kathairo Solutions has included learning to unhinge from negative mindsets and negative people. Teachers told me that I shouldn’t go to college, yet I ended up attaining a certification through the Harvard Business School. Success starts with understanding the God-given purpose for your life. The next step is overcoming any hindrance to that purpose through grit, having a support system, and adjusting your plan as circumstances change. Everybody in your life will not be supportive of your goals and aspirations. Success is not allowing the malicious actions and words of others to define you. True success is letting go of any bitterness in your heart and finding freedom in forgiveness.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://kathairo.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therevwrites/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathairo/
- Other: https://restorestlouis.org/
