By: Zach Miller
President of Ebony House, a non-profit behavioral health programming organization, Dr. Che Jordan, sits down for an interview to discuss the transformative role of Ebony House in helping individuals with substance abuse and behavioral health issues. Since stepping into his role in 2022, Dr. Jordan has led Ebony House through the risky moment when facilities were closing all over Arizona, all the while maintaining a 90% client satisfaction rate. Ebony House is recognized as one of Business Fortune’s “30 Most Admired Companies of the Year” and named Best Business in America for two consecutive years, while Dr. Che Jordan appears in the Top 100 Magazine as an inspiring innovator and entrepreneur. In this interview, he sheds light on what it takes to lead an organization of this magnitude and highlights his vision for the future.
Dr. Jordan, could you share your journey with Ebony House Inc. and what initially inspired you to dedicate your career to transforming the landscape of substance use and mental health services?
The mission of the organization brought me to Arizona. Elbertzena Fontinote is the founder of Ebony House Inc. She had a God mission to help people with addiction for 50 years. Dr. Gene Blue, the Chairman of the Board of Ebony House Inc., worked with Mrs. Elba for over 45 years with the same God mission. I value people and serving all ethnicities and communities that need help with substance use and mental health. Supporting our military veterans who are struggling with addiction and mental health. Also, individuals with HIV and removing the stigma that those with HIV only pertains to certain groups of people, as well as the moral judgments about people who take steps to prevent HIV transmission.
Ebony House Inc. is known for its holistic approach to recovery. Can you explain how this approach is implemented in your programs and why it is so effective in addressing both substance use and mental health challenges?
Our goal is to help our clients achieve total abstinence and healthy living. We have implemented and utilized evidence-based interventions designed to promote greater self-awareness, self-respect, and self-worth, offering services that are sensitive to the individual needs of each person, addressing individual needs surrounding cultural identity, religion, and sexual orientation, and providing them referrals to educational and vocational programming according to the treatment plan. The use and effectiveness of this approach have enabled successful community reintegration for our clients. Furthermore, the care model that has been put in place since being the president has provided humility and humbleness, which supports the appreciation that clients have for the program.
Community involvement seems to be a cornerstone of Ebony House Inc.’s success. How do you engage with the community to ensure your programs are accessible, inclusive, and tailored to the needs of underserved populations?
Recently, we helped sponsor The Arizona Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration. This Celebration is about promoting cultural diversity, awareness and unity. So, we are always open and seeking to attend community events that can further support those in underserved communities battling mental health and addiction. This also allows us to learn more about the current needs of the community and the solutions we can provide so that service is accessible to the underserved community. Furthermore, we are always looking at the latest clinical practices that could enhance and/or tailor treatment plans to fit the different clients that come into treatment.
Under your leadership, Ebony House Inc. has been recognized for its innovative practices. Can you share some examples of these innovations and how they have improved outcomes for individuals and families affected by substance use and mental health issues?
Before graduating from the program, we assist our clients with resume writing and conduct mock and motivational interviews. This helps with preparation for entering back into the workforce. Some of our clients have not worked a job in years. This is due to addiction and homelessness. We provide 6 months of supported housing and bus passes, which help prevent clients from relapsing in the early stages of their sobriety. In 2025, we are looking to provide virtual counseling outpatient services to families and individuals throughout the state. This will remove the barrier from a person or family battling with mental health and addiction who may want outpatient services due to not being able to travel or leave their job. Also, this will help families during school breaks, and the children can still see their counselor. They will be able to enroll in the services online.
Leading an organization like Ebony House Inc. comes with its challenges. What are some significant obstacles you’ve encountered in your efforts to expand and improve services, and how have you successfully navigated them?
Like many healthcare organizations, our challenge has been funding, which is required to continuously provide treatment through 2025. Arizona’s healthcare system has faced financial challenges since 2023, leading to lower billing rates and delayed reimbursements in 2024. To continue providing essential services, we need sustained funding to support our staff and clients. I have navigated by making constant adjustments that could keep the residential facilities full. I also positioned the agency in December 2024 for our segment to be shown on Samsung TV Plus, ViZIO watch free, Fubo, Tubi, Pluto and Bloomberg in December 2024. Starting this month, the year 2025, our Cox Media Segment will be Shown on Yurview. This creates an opportunity for our communities to see the value and success stories of our Alumni in how effective the program is and how great the services are at Ebony House Inc. to donate.
Looking to the future, what are your goals for Ebony House Inc.? How do you envision the organization continuing to shape the field of substance use and mental health care in the coming years?
Our goal is to increase donations through formulated and supported community partnerships, continuously removing barriers from families and individuals who are struggling to battle addiction. We are going to increase the success stories globally about how change is possible, and a beacon of hope is at Ebony House with a growing alumni association. We are looking to open an emergency housing for those with HIV. We have a strong commitment to the well-being of the community with the battle of Fentaly throughout this nation. This is an evolution from addressing a critical need for our services in the 1970s to becoming a comprehensive health agency catering to diverse populations, including Hispanic, Latinx, Native American, White, and African refugee communities battling Fentanyl and other substances. We are here to help.
Published by Drake M.
