Langston Reid’s journey into design and entrepreneurship began in the 9th grade while living in Zürich, Switzerland where he founded his own fashion brand, LR STREET, an eco-sustainable streetwear. Fueled by a love for creativity and a passion for bringing people together through design, he discovered the power of innovation and collaboration. This early venture set the stage for his future pursuits.
Now a 12th grader at New England Innovation Academy (NEIA), Langston launched NEXTGEN Summit, a student entrepreneurship organization that hosts an annual youth entrepreneurship summit for ambitious students and aspiring leaders. NEXTGEN provides opportunities for students to network, learn, and grow. The inaugural summit, held on May 5, 2024, was a resounding success and will return this year.
To truly understand NEXTGEN’s mission, it’s essential to recognize Langston’s global perspective. Having grown up in the United States, United Kingdom, and Switzerland, with roots in Cameroon and the West Indies, Langston’s worldview is shaped by his diverse experiences. His parents also played a pivotal role in shaping his entrepreneurial spirit. Langston’s mother, a Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) at a multinational corporation, and his father, an entrepreneur focused on diversifying school staff, fostered a home environment centered around identifying challenges and finding solutions, particularly for communities of African descent.
“I have to say I’m very fortunate because my parents have always been supportive,” Langston shared. “If I told them I had a wild idea that could change the world, they would tell me that anything is possible as long as I put in the work. They are incredibly supportive.”
Since beginning in the fall of 2023, Langston has thrived at New England Innovation Academy. With the school’s support and resources, he used much of his time and space at NEIA to create the NEXTGEN Summit, as well as several other projects he’s equally excited about. “I feel like I couldn’t have learned this much at another school,” Langston said. “I credit my NEIA family, like Baldev Singh Rawat, Lily Fu, Greg Mertz, and Caitlin Cook, along with many other NEIA faculty who offered their time and their full effort to help set me (and this conference) up for success,” he adds.
The first-ever NEXTGEN Summit took place on Sunday, May 5, 2024, at NEIA. Designed for aspiring entrepreneurs eager to connect, the event was a smashing success, with the auditorium packed. The summit featured prominent guest speakers, including Raymond Chang, NEIA Co-founder, Erik Fogg, Founder of Futures Forge, and Steve Messineo, Director of Operations at Physical Therapy Innovations and former President & CEO of the Marlborough Regional Chamber of Commerce.
The event concluded with a youth pitch competition, where three student-founded companies presented their business ideas for a $1,000 prize to fuel their growth. “I think in general, it went very well,” Langston said. Despite challenges, including two speakers who couldn’t attend, Langston and his team adapted. “We created a space for attendees to stand up, pitch their ideas, and ask for help. It turned out to be one of the most engaging parts of the day.”
Langston was quick to acknowledge the team effort behind the summit’s success. “Those are the 11 people who really just brought it to life,” he said, listing NEIA students Owen, Vicky, Lila, Marcus, Ileana, Elaine, Finn M., Max R., Max H., Aaron Z., and Kathryn J. “It couldn’t have happened without them and all the support.”
Since its inception, NEXTGEN has evolved beyond a one-day summit. Langston envisioned creating opportunities for students at schools that may lack entrepreneurial resources. This expansion includes networking opportunities, workshops led by industry experts, funding avenues like pitch competitions, and mentorship programs.
Looking ahead, Langston is preparing for an even more impactful NEXTGEN Summit. On March 2, 2025, NEXTGEN will return to NEIA, offering attendees a range of opportunities, including:
- Entrepreneurship bootcamps with real-world leaders
- Leadership training to develop soft skills
- Pitch competitions with cash prizes
- Mentorship programs with industry experts
- Workshops on financial literacy, AI, and business modeling
- Internship and resume-building opportunities through partnerships with local and global businesses
Beyond NEIA, NEXTGEN is expanding globally, with plans for a summit in Costa Rica on March 13, in partnership with and hosted by Lincoln School—a valued NEIA collaborator for the past two years.
“I never wanted NEXTGEN to just be a one-day event,” Langston shared. “It’s grown into a community and platform for young entrepreneurs, and this year, we’re taking it even further.”
From fostering cross-cultural connections in Costa Rica to inspiring innovation and collaboration at NEIA, the NEXTGEN Summit continues to empower the next generation of leaders.
Langston Reid is no longer the ninth grader with a dream to start a fashion business. He is now a young leader creating opportunities for others—but that same drive and passion for innovation remains.
To learn more about NEXTGEN and opportunities to participate, visit https://www.nextgenceos.org/.
