At Ebony House, the mission is clear: to empower individuals, families, and communities to overcome adversity and thrive. For over three decades, this visionary organization has provided comprehensive rehabilitation services and community support groups, fostering a safe, supportive environment for those navigating life’s challenges. From counseling and education to advocacy and outreach, Ebony House stands as a beacon of hope, guiding individuals toward healing, growth, and self-sufficiency.

Now, we’re honored to share an exclusive conversation with Dr. Che Jordan, President and CEO of Ebony House, as he sheds light on the organization’s remarkable work and commitment to empowering communities.

1.What motivated you to start Ebony House Inc., and what specific needs did you want to address in the community?

Elbertzena Fontinote, started Ebony House Inc., Phoenix, in 1973 with just $500 with the goal of addressing mental health and substance misuse issues. She was a recovering alcoholic with the willpower to help get people clean. God gave her vision to build a place that will be the changing agent of the community of those battling addiction.

2.Can you elaborate on the various types of caregiving services provided by Ebony House, and how you tailor these services to each individual’s specific needs?

We provide a wide range of services designed to serve each of their clients’ differing needs: Men and Women Residential Care for Substance Use, Intensive Outpatient Services: Support for individuals managing mild to moderate substance use and behavioral health challenges.

Youth Behavioral Health Services birth to five and five to seventeen to help stabilize their behaviors and strengthen social and family connections. HIV/AIDS & STD Outreach Clinic that focuses on education and prevention resources for high-risk populations. Primary Medical Care that is accessible, affordable health services to ensure that physical health is not neglected when someone is working on recovery.

3.In what ways does Ebony House support the recovery and well-being of its clients, and what rehabilitation programs does it offer?

We provide A. A meeting to the community. This gives people who live in the community and are battling addiction an opportunity to fellowship and learn about our program and services. Also we provide supported housing, where clients are able to do resume building, work on interviewing skills. We support our clients also through our Alumni. These individuals who have been sober for 15, 20, or even 30 years are linked to our members, providing them with inspiration and helpful advice. Since many of our employees have been with the company for more than 10 years and have completed the program themselves, we also have a work culture built on shared experiences. This builds a solid, encouraging community by promoting relatability and trust.

4. How is the dignity, independence, and self-determination of clients given priority in Ebony House’s approach to caregiving and rehabilitation?

We meet our clients at the entryway, and start the process of assessing and learning where they are at in their addiction. Clients have their own individual treatment plans that center around their needs and mental health. Clients who seek our therapeutic treatments feel more secure in re-entering their communities because they have a greater sense of self-worth, self-respect, and self-awareness. Clients tend to cook their favorite meals and teach other clients their cultural meals. Yoga and exercises help our clients reshape their physical appearance as well as boost their self esteem. The rehabilitation process is to support and help the client see the will power they have internally. It is the same willpower they helped them give up their addiction and come into treatment to start their new life in sobriety.

5. How does Ebony House coordinate care with other healthcare providers, social services, or community organizations to ensure comprehensive support for clients?

We work with our network providers to coordinate care and ensure clients are transitioning appropriately to the next phase of their life. We also have ART (Adult Recovery Team) meetings with our clients. This helps coordinate and understand the clients service planning and service delivery.

6. Can you provide success stories or testimonials from clients who have benefited from Ebony House’s caregiving and rehabilitation services?

The success stories of Robert Holloway, a board member, and Michael Berry, one of our graduates, demonstrate that individuals feel supported, loved, and needed at Ebony House Inc. In Robert’s sobriety success, he gave back his mom a son that she can recognize, a child a father and a wife a husband to see sober and clean. Their experiences demonstrate that anyone can quit using drugs, become clean, and resume enjoying life, regardless of how long they have fought with their addiction. Their experiences serve as a reminder that there is compassion and assistance available to everyone who is feeling shattered. Forgiveness comes with the healing process and they have given back to help struggling in their addiction today. An example of over 20 years cleans one day at a time.

7. What steps does Ebony House take to address the emotional, social, and spiritual needs of clients, in addition to their physical needs?

First, we address addiction. Helping the client recognize they have an addiction and identify there are good and decent human beings, counselors, therapists that can help them with that process. We address the emotional and social needs through individual counseling. They meet with our counselors every week to meet these needs. The 12 steps is a guide that is used and discusses higher power. This can be seen as a reference to spiritual guidance. Also, we provide a lot of resources to our clients of churches and community events that they can attend for additional support. Their physical needs are addressed through exercise, hiking and yoga.

8. Are there any plans to expand or enhance Ebony House’s caregiving and rehabilitation services in the future?

We are looking to provide virtual services. This will remove the barrier of those that live across the state and would prefer to have outpatient treatment services due to not being left work for 90 days inpatient treatment because of being a single mother or father, they would be able to enroll online into the services and see one of our counselors. Also, expand our supported housing from 6 to 9 months, and emergency housing for those with HIV and veterans.

9. As Ebony House’s president and chief executive officer, Dr. Che Jordan, what leadership philosophies or principles inform your choices and strategic vision for the company, and how have these influenced the expansion and prosperity of Ebony House?

Patience, Humility and understanding is the philosophy. Patience to endure the negative mindset that a person may have coming into your facility. Also, patience to have with today’s workforce and recognize that the new generation of employees is not the same as 20 or 30 years ago in the field of healthcare. Today’s generation has cell phones and laptops not pagers and pay phones. Using advanced Technology to reduce errors, streamline information and using the most up to date clinical practices. Humility, there is no greater title than servitude. Just because you obtain the executive title do not place yourself in a position where the focus is more on serving-self than serving others. An understanding, from day one understands the community you serve and you cannot do that closed inside behind a desk and other people. A Balance approach is the principle along with the extension of purpose and reason. The purpose is that people have an addiction and seek help. The reason is, clients are sick and tired of being addicted to the wrongs and people in their life. Time for adjustments and organic change to be made in their life. This has helped the organization get through toughest times in healthcare the last two years while maintaining over 90% client satisfaction celebrated by our provider.

Awards and Accolades: A Testament to Ebony House’s Impact

Ebony House has garnered numerous accolades for its exceptional work in rehabilitation services and community support. In 2024, the organization received the Global Recognition Award and was named one of the Top 100 Innovators & Entrepreneurs. Dr. Che Jordan, President and CEO, was also recognized as one of the Most Influential Leaders in Health and Wellness to Watch by The Enterprise World Magazine. Additionally, Ebony House was listed as one of the 30 Most Admired Companies of the Year by Business Fortune. In 2025, the organization continued to receive recognition, including the Nobel Award for Outstanding Chief Executive Officer and the Titan Award for Healthcare Leadership.

Company Name: Ebony House, Inc
President and CEO: Dr. Che Jordan
Website: www.ebonyhouseinc.org
Email: Ebonyhouseinc1@gmail.com