Dr. Nikka Lemons

Nikka Lemons is the CEO and Founder of Azimu Group.  Azimu is the Swahili word for “accepting a grave undertaking”.  Nikka (personally) and Azimu Group (as an entity) embodies this spirit- functioning to build the capacity of entities and systems to improve their service model with the goal of ensuring equitable access to the American Dreams for all citizenry. Thus, her work exists at the intersection of urban planning, organizational design, and social justice. Place matters and determines one’s access, quality of life and life experiences. As a result, urban planning is centered in her work. Nikka is a trained scholar, experienced practitioner, and a social gadfly by birthright.

Nikka graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater with a Bachelors’ Degree from in Political Science with a minor in Race & Ethnic Studies.  She earned dual Master’s Degrees in African American & African Diaspora Studies as well as Public Administration from the School of Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA) from Indiana University-Bloomington. Nikka also completed the Social Impact Strategy certification from the University of Pennsylvania in addition to being a Chartered Advisor of Philanthropy (CAP).  

Nikka’s career focus functions to support organizations and governments mitigate the impact the five global shocks (e.g., automation, climate change, pandemics, wealth inequality and urbanization) which will irreversibly alter the 21st century- threatening democracy and challenging state stability. Racialized and historically marginalized populations will be disproportionately impacted-making a decent standard of living even more inaccessible. She believes the outcome could be different, must, can and so she exists to support such a materialization.