equity is

A modern pedestrian bridge with cable supports over a river, with a city skyline and hills in the background, under a partly cloudy sky.

the

Founder of NEXT, Rachel Askew, is a woman with curly black hair, glasses, and a colorful scarf and talks to a man wearing glasses and a black shirt with a lanyard, in an indoor setting.

Blueprint

IT ALL STARTS WITH COMMUNITY

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IT ALL STARTS WITH COMMUNITY ✦

PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE

Unapologetically Black. Grounded in Equity. Driven by Strategy.

IN JANUARY 2021 OUR FOUNDER SET OUT TO BUILD A FIRM THAT COULD HELP ORGANIZATIONS SERVE, SUPPORT & EMPOWER BLACK AND BROWN PEOPLE IN EVERY COMMUNITY.

SINCE THEN WE HAVE PARTNERED WITH MORE THAT 20 ORGANIZATIONS TO CREATE MEANINGFUL IMPACT IN COMMUNITIES FROM THE PNW TO UPSTATE NEW YORK. FROM EDUCATION TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEXT IS A PEOPLE AND PLACE CENTERED PLANNING FIRM THAT WORKS TO SUPPORT COMMUNITIES IN CO-CREATING BETTER OUTCOMES FOR ALL.

Black and white photo of a city skyline viewed across a body of water, with a mountain in the background.
Rachel Askew, Founder of NEXT, is a smiling woman with braided hair wearing a black t-shirt and beige coat on a bridge.

MEET YOUR PROJECT PARTNER

RACHEL M. ASKEW IS A STRATEGIST, BUILDER, AND ADVOCATE COMMITTED TO CREATING COMMUNITIES WHERE BLACK AND BROWN PEOPLE CAN THRIVE. AS THE FOUNDER OF NEXT, SHE BRIDGES GRASSROOTS VISION WITH INSTITUTIONAL STRATEGY—HELPING LEADERS, ORGANIZATIONS, AND STAKEHOLDERS ALIGN AROUND EQUITY-DRIVEN ACTION. WITH EXPERTISE IN EXECUTIVE COACHING, STRATEGIC PLANNING, AND ENGAGEMENT, RACHEL LEADS WITH AUTHENTICITY, RIGOR, AND A RELENTLESS BELIEF THAT EQUITY IS NOT OPTIONAL—IT’S THE BLUEPRINT FOR THE FUTURE.

Let’s build Together.

If you have a project, an idea, or a challenge that needs to center equity and community, NEXT is here to help you move it forward with clarity and impact.

Here’s what working together can look like:

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS →

WEALTH-BUILDING INITIATIVES, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, AND STRATEGIES THAT PUT BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES AT THE CENTER.

Colorful mural with a quote from Audrey Lorde, reading 'Without community there is no liberation,' painted on a wall with two silver planters with plants in front.
Colorful sticky notes pinned to a blue board, some with handwritten text in black ink.

ORGANIZATIONAL STRATEGY →

EQUITY AUDITS, STRATEGIC PLANNING, AND LEADERSHIP COACHING TO ALIGN VALUES WITH PRACTICE.

Rachel Askew, Founder of NEXT, is a woman presenting at a conference in front of a screen displaying a slide about a small business training and technical assistance event, with an audience seated and listening.

TRAINING & CAPACITY BUILDING →

WORKSHOPS, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, AND STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT DESIGNED TO STRENGTHEN BOTH PEOPLE AND SYSTEMS.

BOLDLY INNOVATIVE

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COMMUNITY CENTERED

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DRIVEN BY STRATEGY

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BOLDLY INNOVATIVE ✦ COMMUNITY CENTERED ✦ DRIVEN BY STRATEGY ✦

HAVE A PROJECT, IDEA OR CHALLENGE? let’s chat.

Street view of a historic red brick apartment building with decorative roofline and several trees with autumn foliage, parked cars on the street, and a clear blue sky.