About Us

The Empower Group (TEG) is an ambitious and innovative consulting company that helps businesses become life-changing Fair Chance employers.

Leveraging the experience of its founders, both of whom have extensive experience in supported employment, social services, program development and community engagement for Nehemiah Manufacturing, one of the nation’s leading Fair Chance companies, TEG is leading the evolution of Fair Chance employment in the United States.

While at Nehemiah Manufacturing, founders Basette and Elle were responsible for developing, implementing and managing key social service programs for the company’s nearly 200 employees, as well as providing direct, 1-on-1 care management services for those that needed them.

This work garnered the interest of companies throughout the US, eager to develop their own sustainable Fair Chance programs. As a result, Basette and Elle found themselves providing ad hoc coaching services to these companies, in addition to their day-to-day roles.

It quickly became apparent that the need for these ad hoc services would surpass the capacity of their current roles and in 2021, both began exploring the idea of developing a consultancy to provide these services to organizations interested in realizing the value of Fair Chance employment.

A photo of two people, one tall black man with a beard with his hands in his pockets, and a white woman, arms crossed on the right. Both looking at camera and smiling.

Basette Smith II

Basette brings to TEG over 20 years of experience in business management, supported employment, community job development, and mental health services. Prior to his tenure at Nehemiah, Basette led a team of supported employment job developers and job coaches for Greater Cincinnati Behavioral Health Services, a regional behavioral health system that serves over 3,000 clients annually. In this capacity, Basette oversaw the provision of employment services for individuals with severe and persistent mental illness as well as other related barriers to employment, including criminal records and incarceration.

Photo of Elle Baker, a white woman with brown hair, smiling

Elle Baker

Prior to joining Nehemiah’s Social Services and Community Engagement team, Elle supported the launch and growth of Beacon of Hope Business Alliance (BOH). Founded by Nehemiah's leadership team, BOH is a non-profit business alliance of companies that are either actively involved or interested in participating in Fair Chance hiring. With the BOH team, Elle served as the expert liaison—connecting companies with relevant Fair Chance candidates, educated organizations on best practices, and worked to amplify the mission of Fair Chance hiring.

Our Values

Empathy

Our work always is aware of and sensitive to the experiences of returning citizens.

Dignity

Our work is person-centered; we value the humanity and dignity of every person with whom we interact and impact.

Opportunity

We believe every person has potential and is deserving of an opportunity to achieve that potential.