June 1, 2026 – The Foxglove Alliance (FGA) announced today that Next Innovative Clinical Research (NICR) has joined the coalition of 15 Chicago area public healthcare organizations. NICR is a community‑focused clinical research organization based in Chicago’s South Side in the Bronzeville neighborhood, with a second location in Houston, TX. It specializes in conducting pharmaceutical clinical trials in underserved and diverse communities, aiming to increase minority participation in research and reduce health disparities with a mission to educate the community about the importance of research participation. It also operates the Next ICR Foundation and the Next ICR University.
NICR’s CEO LaToya Hinton-Howery, MPH, stated “I am committed to bridging the gap between underserved communities and clinical research by building trust, increasing awareness, and creating pathways that improve health equity for all.” Foxglove Alliance Coordinator Levi Moore said “Next ICR’s portfolio of offerings are natural fits for the FGA’s goals of promoting clinical trial participation in Chicago and getting more Chicago youth to enter into health and medicine careers. Their Next ICR University program providing training to become certified clinical research coordinators is a missing piece in our youth pathways network goal of getting more Chicago minority youth to eventually lead clinical trials.” Hinton-Howery added, “My work is centered on educating communities, expanding access to clinical trials, and developing opportunities that create the next generation of diverse clinical research leaders.” Below is a 2-minute video about Next Innovative Research.
