Getting certified in Certified Access Academy opened a new path for Ebony Eromobor

Getting certified in Certified Access Academy opened a new path for Ebony Eromobor

Running a growing mental health practice, supervising emerging clinicians, raising three young children, and leading community education efforts would be more than enough for most people. For Ebony Eromobor, founder of Village Support Therapy and Consulting, that’s just a normal week.

With so much on her plate, Ebony knew she needed to be strategic about how she grew her business. She had long been curious about expanding into new funding streams but wasn’t sure where to begin. She had assumed government contracting was out of reach for her for-profit business.

“I always thought I would have to have nonprofit status in order to access funds,” she explained.

When she learned about the Certified Access Academy—a no-cost cohort from Elevate Hennepin that helps small businesses identify relevant certifications and walk through the  certification process—she saw a chance to explore government contracting without becoming an expert in certification.

“Even though I knew a lot in my field, navigating that process was tricky. The language could be confusing,” she said. “It helped having someone break things down.”

For Ebony, the program wasn’t just about completing paperwork. It was about reclaiming time and avoiding burnout. As a founder who often felt pressure to do everything herself, Certified Access offered a rare opportunity to lean on experts.

“Sometimes it can be good to just outsource things. We don’t have to reinvent the wheel,” she shared.

Certification quickly proved its value. After Ebony appeared in the state’s vendor database, a contract coordinator reached out to her about a project that aligned perfectly with her mission. What began as a simple listing turned into a 13-month state contract to design and lead a culturally specific grant-writing training series — an initiative now helping providers of color strengthen their access to funding for more culturally aware mental health care.

Looking back, Ebony encourages other business owners to consider certification, even if they’re unsure where it might lead.

“It doesn’t hurt to go for it,” said Ebony.