Redefining the role of business in enhancing economic opportunities
In partnership with Ascendium Education Group and our founding partners, we formed the Fair Chance Business Education Consortium.
Founding
partners
Since launching in April 2024, we have expanded our collective of universities, researchers, higher education in-prison practitioners, employers and industry leaders.
50+
Participating
members
6
Founding
partners
20+
Participating institutions
Building bridges, changing narratives
Research-backed decisions
Business schools are uniquely positioned to connect research to employers. Collaboration helps us drive informed decision-making and equitable hiring practices.
Data collection and analysis
Data gaps often misrepresent the potential of people with records. The Consortium leverages our collective expertise to gather data on the benefits of inclusive approaches and develop tools to improve economic outcomes.
Practical solutions
We are building a culture of continuous improvement. We convene at national conferences, exchange best practices and organize workshops to develop practical solutions for industry leaders.
Convene with us at national conferences
National Fair Chance Hiring Conference
October 7-8, 2024, Chicago, IL
The Corporate Coalition of Chicago, the Harris School of Public Policy, and NORC at the University of Chicago hosted a first-of-its-kind, national working meeting on fair chance hiring.
2025 Second Chance Forum
April 1, 2025, Arlington, VA
The forum focused on creating opportunities for people, employers, and communities. We hosted our Fair Chance Business Education Consortium convening and reception after the conference.
Let’s advance business education and create a real impact
“At Ascendium, our mission is to remove barriers and create pathways to mobility and success for learners from low-income backgrounds, including those with a history of incarceration.
Our collaboration with Resilience Education is a vital step toward this goal. By expanding access to credit-bearing business, entrepreneurship, and financial skills courses within prisons, we are not just offering education — we are unlocking real opportunities for meaningful employment after release.”
Molly Lasagna | Senior Program Officer, Ascendium Education Group