The Barthwell

What The Barthwell does

The Barthwell Group is a boutique, certified Woman-Owned, Minority Business Enterprise management consulting firm headquartered in Detroit, Michigan, founded in 2005 by Dr. Akosua Barthwell Evans. The firm sells customized, project-based professional services across eight core lines: Assessments, Brand Enhancement, Building Strategic Collaborations, Diversity/Equity/Inclusion (DEI) Enhancement, Enhancing Organizational Cohesion/Cultural Change, Strategic Planning, Supplier Diversity Strategy and Enhancement, and Training/Workshops. Approximately 70% of engagements are concentrated in DEI work, and the firm differentiates through a proprietary assessment methodology that combines quantitative and qualitative instruments, a Tactical Action Planning framework embedded in its strategic planning methodology, and a multi-step cultural change process.

The firm's client base spans Fortune 100-500 corporations (e.g., Lockheed Martin, Booz Allen Hamilton, State Street, Medtronic, McKesson, FCA, Lear, Glenmede, ING), higher education institutions ranging from HBCUs to large research universities (e.g., Michigan State, Wayne State, Clark Atlanta, Hampton, Indiana, Lehigh, Texas A&M, Claremont McKenna, NC A&T, Jackson State, Texas Christian, ETS), the U.S. military (U.S. Marine Corps, Air Force Research Laboratory), and non-profits/foundations (Ford Foundation, TIAA-CREF, The Kresge Foundation, NMSDC). Delivery is led by a small core team of 7 supported by Associates and a roster of 11 named Subject Matter Experts with national and international recognition in their fields.

The go-to-market motion is direct, sales-led B2B consulting with no intermediaries, relying on warm referrals and the firm's network spanning HBCUs, corporate America, the military, and Silicon Valley, supplemented by content marketing (white papers, blog posts, monthly newsletter, case studies) and organic social channels. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is quote-based per engagement; the firm is fully self-funded (no external funding rounds disclosed) and remains founder-led under CEO Dr. Akosua Barthwell Evans and COO Walter K. Evans.

Name

The Barthwell

Legal name

The Barthwell Group, Inc.

Website

https://barthwellgroup.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Barthwell Group is a Detroit-based, certified Woman-Owned, Minority Business Enterprise management consulting firm founded in 2005, delivering customized strategic planning, DEI, supplier diversity, and organizational change services to Fortune 100 companies, higher education institutions, the U.S. military, and non-profits.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Management Consulting Services

NAICS

Human Resources Consulting Services (541612), Other Management Consulting Services (541618)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742), Services-Management Services (8741)

akta.pro primary industry

Employee Experience, Engagement & Culture Advisory (BPACAJAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Corporate Development & Strategic Partnerships Advisory (JVs, Alliances, Carve-outs) (BPAHAOAG), Leadership Development & Executive Coaching (BPAHAGAD)

Keywords

• Management consulting services
• Diversity inclusion consulting
• Strategic planning services
• Supplier diversity consulting
• Organizational development

Headquarters

HQ city

Detroit

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Management Consulting Services: Strategic consulting engagements including assessments, strategic planning, brand enhancement, diversity and inclusion enhancement, supplier diversity strategy, organizational cohesion, and training/workshops. Project-based engagements with customized solutions for each client. B2B professional services targeting Fortune 100 companies, higher education institutions, government agencies, and non-profits.
2. Training and Workshops: Customized interactive training sessions designed to achieve client goals. Metrics-focused, custom-designed training with best-in-class trainers. Includes diversity recruitment training, inclusion training, and other specialized workshops.
3. Customized Assessments: Customized assessment instruments tailored to client needs with detailed analysis and actionable recommendations. Includes climate surveys, focus groups, listening sessions, and confidential interviews.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Barthwell Group is a boutique strategic management consulting firm that delivers customized assessments, strategic planning, brand enhancement, diversity/equity/inclusion enhancement, supplier diversity strategy, organizational cohesion and cultural change, strategic collaborations, and training/workshops. Engagements are project-based and tailored to each client, serving Fortune 100 companies, higher education institutions, government agencies, foundations, and non-profits throughout the United States.

Product overview

The Barthwell Group is a boutique, multi-dimensional management consulting firm that offers a portfolio of professional service offerings rather than a unified software product. The firm provides eight core consulting services: Assessments (customized quantitative and qualitative instruments), Brand Enhancement, Building Strategic Collaborations, Diversity/Equity/Inclusion Enhancement, Enhancing Organizational Cohesion/Cultural Change, Strategic Planning, Supplier Diversity Strategy and Enhancement, and Training/Workshops. Approximately 70% of engagements focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion. The firm leverages a diverse team, global networks, and data-informed methodologies to deliver customized strategies for clients ranging from small universities to Fortune 100 companies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Assessments Customized quantitative and qualitative assessment instruments including confidential interviews, detailed analysis of findings, and actionable recommendations tailored to client-specific needs. Designed for organizations seeking data-informed insights into DEI, organizational culture, and stakeholder perceptions.
• Brand Enhancement Strategic market research and brand development services that assess stakeholder impressions, analyze target markets, and develop messaging and relationship-building strategies for clients. Targets organizations seeking to reposition, refresh, or strengthen their brand among key stakeholder groups.
• Building Strategic Collaborations Multi-step process to develop, design, and implement partnerships including concept development, partner selection, relationship building, and implementation coordination. Designed for clients seeking to formalize cross-organizational partnerships and alliances.
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Enhancement Services to assess, develop, and enhance inclusive environments, create global DEI strategies, build recruitment pipelines, and provide inclusion training and workshops. Targets Fortune 100 companies, higher education institutions, the U.S. military, and non-profits seeking measurable DEI improvements.
• Enhancing Organizational Cohesion / Implementing Cultural Change Proprietary process to enhance team engagement, counter siloism, and implement cultural change through assessment, facilitated forums, action planning, and cultural change teams. Designed for organizations facing internal fragmentation or undergoing transformation.
• Strategic Planning Customized strategic planning methodology incorporating stakeholder engagement, future driving forces integration, dynamic facilitation, pragmatic implementation, and annual follow-up. Uses embedded Tactical Action Planning to ensure implementation accountability. Designed for institutions and corporations executing multi-year strategic plans.
• Supplier Diversity Strategy and Enhancement Business case development, supplier identification, performance enhancement training, internal infrastructure setup, and tracking and reporting infrastructure for supplier diversity programs. Designed for corporations and institutions seeking to build or mature supplier diversity initiatives.
• Training / Workshops Customized interactive training sessions including metrics-focused design, custom content, role-play exercises, and best-in-class trainers from subject matter expert networks. Includes diversity recruitment training, inclusion training, and other specialized workshops tailored to client goals.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 85 students engaged in intensive STEM research experiences through STEM collaboration program
• +9 more outcomes

Named customers27 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• University of Massachusetts BostoncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2021Collaborative research partnership to observe global definitions of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and methodologies used to align DEI strategies domestically and globally. Produced the Global White Paper published in March 2021.
• William and Flora Hewlett FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2020Commissioned The Barthwell Group to perform a study regarding OER (Open Educational Resources) adoption at Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Conducted webinar presentation for HBCU stakeholders and foundation representatives.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• The Winters Group: The Winters Group is a DEI consulting firm providing organizational development, leadership development, and inclusion strategy. Comparable in scale, methodology orientation, and target client profile to Barthwell's boutique DEI practice.
• Cook Ross Inc. Cook Ross is a boutique DEI and inclusion consulting firm that serves Fortune 500 and public-sector clients with assessments, strategy, and training engagements. It is the closest direct peer to The Barthwell Group on service mix, client type, and boutique scale.
• The Kaleidoscope Group: The Kaleidoscope Group is a DEI and belonging consulting firm offering assessments, strategic planning, and culture change services to enterprise clients. Comparable to Barthwell in boutique positioning, DEI focus, and Fortune 500 client base.
• Global Novations: Global Novations is a DEI consulting and research firm that designs inclusion strategies, conducts assessments, and delivers training for global enterprises. Overlaps with Barthwell on customized assessments and inclusion strategy engagements.

Broad incumbents

• Deloitte (Human Capital practice): Deloitte's Human Capital practice is a global consulting capability that includes large-scale DEI strategy, inclusion, and organizational transformation. Competes with Barthwell for Fortune 100 DEI advisory mandates, but at significantly greater scale and broader service breadth.
• Korn Ferry: Korn Ferry is a global organizational consulting firm with a large DEI, talent strategy, and organizational design practice. Competes with Barthwell on enterprise-level culture and inclusion engagements but operates at much greater scale across broader service lines.
• Heidrick & Struggles: Heidrick & Struggles is a global advisory firm providing executive search, leadership consulting, and DEI advisory services. Overlaps with Barthwell on culture assessment, leadership strategy, and inclusion work, but serves a much wider portfolio.
• Huron Consulting Group: Huron is a professional services firm with a higher education and strategy practice that competes with Barthwell on strategic planning and brand-enhancement engagements with universities and Fortune 1000 clients. Differs by serving a broader portfolio beyond DEI.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/barthwellgroup
• Facebookfacebook.com/barthwellgroup
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-barthwell-group

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Barthwell