Future Emergent moves people and organizations into the future.
my mission
I work to undo systemic racism wherever we see it. I strive to create an antiracist world where everyone can belong.
I offer customized services that adapt principles of antiracism and liberation. I collaborate with community and organizations to solve problems.
The future is emergent: it’s fast approaching but it isn’t here yet. We must work together to bring about our shared vision for the world.
I am currently accepting clients in Washington State but would be happy to discuss opportunities elsewhere in the United States. Questions about that? Let’s connect!
about josh martinez
My name is josh martinez. I love trying to understand systems and the systems that built those systems. I spend a lot of time thinking about how to get there from here. I draw from years of experience building programs and guiding organizations towards their goals. I meet people where they are so we can walk forward together.
I challenge organizations to understand and disrupt their version of a status quo. I approach my work through antiracism, social justice, and racial equity. I adapt a variety of techniques and approaches that best fit an organization’s needs and culture. My foundational approaches include research and experience in racial justice, decentralized decision-making, community-first solutions, targeted universalism, self-management practices, and more. I bring this toolbox of experience and perspectives to every industry I support.
I bring more than 15 years of leadership in capacity building, program design, project management, staff development, and organizational improvement. Prior to consulting, I worked in mid- and senior-level management roles, leading the work of two or more programs in larger non-profit and government entities. I hold a certificate in Strategic Management from Wharton University and completed facilitation trainings at the Anti-Oppression Resource and Training Alliance (AORTA).
I write my name using lowercase letters. You can read about why I do that. I grew up in Texas and lived in the southern U.S. most of my life. My husband and I now live in Seattle. I love the pacific northwest, from the weather to the terrain to the people who live here. A nature-lover since I was a baby, I believe we have an obligation to leave this world better than we found it.
I write about my work and vision for the future every Friday at my blog, be the future. You can read some of my favorite posts here.
I love what I do. I’m excited to show you what we can do together.
engagements to date
My work with previous clients and collaborators include:
Thought Leadership and Guidance
Created recommendations for the Washington State Dept. of Agriculture to improve the Emergency Food Assistance Program, which funds hundreds of food banks and pantries across Washington State
Created recommendations for the City of Seattle Human Services Department to integrate community-generated food justice ideas into the design of their next funding opportunity for food banks
Ongoing transformation and training for the Board of Directors at Bellingham Food Bank to prioritize food justice and racial equity
Led a retreat for the Board of Directors at Emergency Food Network to prepare for strategic planning and visioning
Co-authored a blog post, with Sarah Benner-Kenagy, for Community-Centric Fundraising on Transformational Capacity Building and how we used it to invest $1.5M in the work of our partner organizations
Trainings and Speaking Events
Led a training series for staff at Bellingham Food Bank on food justice, inclusion, community engagement, and antiracism
Led a session of Shop Talk called Moving the Unmovable for the Washington Society of Association Executives
Led a training on racism in the child welfare system for the Board of Directors of the Institute for Family Development
Led and co-designed, with Clara Olivo, a training for staff at Emergency Food Network on land, people, and power
Gave closing remarks at Solid Ground’s Work in Progress conference that empowered food bank leaders to dismantle the racist policies and practices they inherited
Presented a session at the Washington Food Coalition annual conference on how food banks and pantries can put racial equity into practice
My past professional roles included these positions:
Public Health Advisor at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Director of Agency Programs and Network Development at Food Lifeline
I led a team of staff members to write a one-pager for food pantries about their rights when protecting their visitors. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement agents had started visiting formerly off-limit sites like food banks to intimidate and harm people who needed food. We worked with the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project to create this document and offer a training for food pantry staff.
Coalition Builder and Board Member at Non-Profit Anti-Racism Coalition
Program Manager (COVID-19 Place-Based Strategy) at Public Health—Seattle & King County