Meet our Executive Director and Board Chair

Fred Bazemore

Executive Director

Frederick D. Bazemore is the Executive Director at Experiment in Self-Reliance (ESR). Prior to his promotion to this position in May 2024, Bazemore had served in leadership roles at ESR for over 20 years, being the agency’s Director of Programs and Operations from 2011 to 2023, and the Self-Sufficiency Program Director from 2003 to 2011.

A native to Tarboro, North Carolina and a graduate of Winston-Salem State University, Bazemore earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Public Administration. Prior to joining ESR, Fred spent his early career years as a former Senior Regional Portfolio Property Manager, Senior Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Director and Housing Finance Director. His greatest strengths are integrity, consistency, experience and having a great knowledge about the clients we serve that allows the agency to continue to build trust and solid relationships through honesty and consistency.

The new Executive Director extends his commitment to non-profit work beyond his employment through his community activism, serving on many boards and committees that focus on issues around employment, housing, transportation, financial literacy, economic development, and education for the low-income residents of Forsyth County and North Carolina. Fred is a former member of the Piedmont Triad Workforce Development Board and currently serves on the North Carolina Community Action Association (NCCAA) Board of Directors, the “CARES” Project Board of Directors, and serves as the Western District Chairman for the NCCAA.

When not advocating for the low-income in the community, you can find Fred the “Avid Golfer,” as many know him, on the golf course, participating as an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and a member of St. Peter’s World Outreach Center.

Aimee Smith

Board Chair

Aimee Smith was born and raised in Albemarle, North Carolina. She attended University of North Carolina at Greensboro where she studied Political Science and History. She graduated from Wake Forest University School of Law school in 2002. She has been with the firm of Craige Jenkins Liipfert & Walker LLP since 2002 and is a partner in the firm. She practices in the areas of elder law and estate planning. In addition to serving as the Board Chair for Experiment in Self-Reliance, she currently serves on the Salemtowne Board of Directors and serves as Secretary for the Shepherd’s Center board. She previously served on the board of Financial Pathways of the Piedmont.

Aimee believes that the mission of Experiment in Self-Reliance is more important now than it has ever been as more people find themselves living in poverty and unable to afford housing. Experiment in Self-Reliance provides a valuable service to the community by helping lift community members out of poverty and helping them work toward home ownership. As Experiment in Self-Reliance celebrates its 60th Anniversary, Aimee’s primary goal for the agency during her term as chair is to pay off the remaining mortgage on the agency’s building so that ESR can have a bright, debt-free future.