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MBE Certified  ·  SAM.gov Registered

Strategy rooted in mission.
Systems built to last.

Sozo Group partners with mission-driven organizations to build the leadership, systems, and strategy required for lasting community impact — across behavioral health, education, government, and beyond.

Our Practice Areas → Schedule a Call
20+
Years Cross-Sector Leadership
7
Practice Areas
MBE
Certified & SAM.gov Ready
B2G
Government Contract Ready
MBE Certified
SAM.gov Registered
Behavioral Health & Wellness
Education & Workforce Development
Government & Public Sector
Organizational Development
Grant Strategy & Funding Readiness
Technology & IT Consulting
Strategic Communications
Health Equity Focus
MBE Certified
SAM.gov Registered
Behavioral Health & Wellness
Education & Workforce Development
Government & Public Sector
Organizational Development
Grant Strategy & Funding Readiness
Technology & IT Consulting
Strategic Communications
Health Equity Focus
Sozo Group consulting
20+
Years of Leadership
Who We Are

Built for the complexity your mission demands.

Sozo Group is a management consulting firm specializing in behavioral health, health equity, education, and community wellness. We partner with nonprofits, faith-based organizations, government agencies, and mission-driven enterprises to build the capacity required to grow, serve, and sustain impact.

Our approach is grounded in mental health-informed practice, lived community experience, and over two decades of cross-sector leadership.

Meet the Firm Our Services
What We Do

Seven practice areas.
One integrated approach.

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01
Behavioral Health & Wellness
Program design, clinical systems, and community wellness strategy grounded in evidence and lived experience.
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02
Education & Workforce Development
Curriculum development, workforce pipeline design, and institutional strategy for schools and training organizations.
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03
Organizational Development
Leadership alignment, change management, and capacity-building for organizations in growth or transformation.
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04
Government & Public Sector
Program management, policy implementation, and procurement-ready consulting for agencies and contractors.
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05
Technology & IT Consulting
Digital transformation, systems integration, and technology strategy for modernizing organizations.
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06
Grant Strategy & Funding Readiness
Grant writing, federal contract readiness, and funding landscape strategy for sustainable revenue.
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07
Strategic Communications
Organizational positioning, brand strategy, and communications architecture for mission-driven institutions.
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"We don't send junior analysts to your most critical challenges."
— Sozo Group Approach
3×
Avg. Referral Volume Growth
92%
Program Completion Rates
$2.4M
In Proposals Developed
100%
Board Adoption on Strategic Plans
Collaboration
Strategy & Leadership
Consulting
One-on-One Consulting
Health
Behavioral Health
Team
Workforce Development
Presentation
Government & Public Sector
Analytics
Why Sozo Group

The difference is in how we work.

⬡
Principals, Not Analysts
Every engagement is led by a senior consultant with direct experience in your sector — not delegated to a team learning on your time.
◎
Community-Rooted
We come from the communities we serve. That proximity is a strategic asset, not a soft credential.
◈
Cross-Sector Depth
Clinical practice, federal service, education administration, technology — our network connects dots other firms miss.
◆
Contract-Ready
MBE certified and SAM.gov registered — structured to serve as prime or subcontractor on government programs.

Ready to build something that lasts?

Every engagement starts with a conversation. Tell us what you're navigating — we'll tell you honestly if and how we can help.

Schedule a Discovery Call →

Credentialed.
Community-rooted. Contract-ready.

Built on the premise that the most complex challenges — in health, education, and public service — require consultants who have lived and led inside those systems.

Our Story

Built from the inside out.

Sozo Group was founded with a clear conviction: that the organizations doing the most important work in our communities deserve consulting partners who understand what it actually takes to deliver on a mission.

Our name comes from the Greek word sōzō — to heal, to restore, to make whole. That etymology reflects our approach: we don't just optimize systems, we help organizations reclaim their capacity to do what they were built to do.

We are a minority-owned, MBE-certified firm registered in SAM.gov, structured to serve as a prime or subcontractor on government-funded and community-based initiatives.

M
MBE Certified — Minority Business Enterprise
S
SAM.gov Registered — UEI on File
B
Beck Institute — Advanced Clinical Training
Managing Principal
Eric J. Thomas, LMSW
Founder & Managing Principal
LMSW · Howard University MSWBBA · Organizational LeadershipOrdained Baptist MinisterBeck Institute TrainedAuthor · National SpeakerTEDxDetroit Alum

Eric J. Thomas is a licensed clinical social worker, psychotherapist, author, ordained Baptist minister, and national speaker. He has spoken at TEDxDetroit, the American Psychological Association, Howard University, Morgan State University, and AARP.

He is the author of The Truth We Owe Ourselves: Mental Health, Faith and Formation for Black Men, and brings over two decades of frontline experience in behavioral health systems, educational administration, business development, and strategic partnerships.

Our Consulting Network

Senior consultants staffed to match the specific domain knowledge each client requires.

Federal government & public sector administration
Information technology & digital infrastructure
Clinical behavioral health & program management
K–12 and higher education administration
Nonprofit governance & fundraising strategy
Strategic communications & organizational branding

Join Our Network

Experienced consultant with deep sector expertise? We regularly engage subject matter experts for client engagements.

Express Interest →

The right firm for complex work.

Every engagement begins with a discovery conversation — focused on your situation before we recommend anything.

Schedule a Call →
Our Practice Areas

Deep expertise.
Integrated delivery.

Seven practice areas structured to address the full complexity of challenges facing health, education, government, and community-serving organizations.

01 · Behavioral Health
02 · Education
03 · Org Development
04 · Government
05 · Technology
06 · Grant Strategy
07 · Communications
Behavioral Health

Behavioral Health & Wellness

We bring clinical insight, systems expertise, and health equity principles to behavioral health program design and optimization — with a mental health-informed lens that is both practical and principled.

Program Design & Development
Evidence-based programs — PRP, outpatient, peer support, and community wellness — from concept to implementation.
Clinical Systems Consulting
Strengthening clinical workflows, documentation, supervision, and compliance frameworks for behavioral health providers.
Health Equity Strategy
Embedding health equity principles into culture, program delivery, community engagement, and policy advocacy.
Business Development
Referral pipeline development, partner outreach, and market expansion for community-based behavioral health organizations.
Trauma-Informed Practice
Policy development and cultural transformation to integrate trauma-informed approaches at every level of service delivery.
Workforce Wellness
Internal systems and programs that protect staff wellbeing, reduce turnover, and sustain capacity in high-demand environments.
Who We Serve
Community BH OrgsPRP & Outpatient ProvidersFQHCsFaith-Based HealthHospital Systems
Education

Education & Workforce Development

From curriculum architecture to institutional strategy, we help educational organizations build learning environments and workforce systems that produce measurable outcomes for diverse learner populations.

Curriculum Design
Instructional content and training curricula aligned to competencies, outcomes, and the needs of diverse learner populations.
Workforce Pipeline Strategy
Employer-aligned programs connecting education systems with labor market demand across health, technology, and public service.
Institutional Strategy
Strategic planning, program portfolio analysis, and redesign for K–12 systems, colleges, and training organizations.
SEL Integration
Embedding SEL frameworks, mental health literacy, and trauma-informed pedagogy into educational program design and staff development.
Community School Models
Designing community school models that integrate health, social service, and family support within educational settings.
Professional Development
Customized training for educators and administrators on leadership, wellness, and evidence-based practice.
Who We Serve
K–12 School SystemsCommunity CollegesWorkforce Dev BoardsFaith-Based EducationEducation Nonprofits
Org Dev

Organizational Development

We help organizations align their people, processes, and purpose — building the internal architecture required to grow sustainably and lead effectively through change.

Strategic Planning
Facilitating leadership teams through mission-aligned planning processes that produce clear, actionable growth roadmaps.
Change Management
Guiding organizations through structural transitions, mergers, leadership changes, and programmatic pivots.
Leadership Development
Executive coaching, leadership cohort design, and succession planning that builds the internal bench organizations need.
Capacity Building
Assessing and strengthening systems — HR, operations, compliance, program infrastructure — to support sustainable growth.
Board Development
Strengthening nonprofit board effectiveness through governance consulting, recruitment strategy, and fiduciary training.
Culture & DEI Strategy
Building organizational cultures that center equity, inclusion, and belonging — from policy review to accountability structures.
Who We Serve
NonprofitsGovernment AgenciesHealthcare OrgsFaith-Based InstitutionsSocial Enterprises
Government

Government & Public Sector

We help government agencies and their contractors deliver on program mandates, navigate compliance, and build community-responsive service systems at scale.

Program Management
Project management, stakeholder coordination, and implementation support for federally and state-funded program initiatives.
Policy Implementation
Translating policy mandates into operational plans, training, and workflow changes that front-line teams can execute.
Community Engagement
Culturally responsive engagement processes that build public trust and produce actionable input for government programs.
Teaming & Subcontracting
Positioning for prime/sub teaming on government contracts, including capability statement development and BD strategy.
Grant & Contract Admin
Supporting compliance, reporting, and administration for organizations managing government grants or contracts.
Needs Assessment
Community needs assessments, program evaluations, and performance measurement framework design for publicly funded programs.
Who We Serve
Federal AgenciesState & Local GovernmentGovernment ContractorsFederally Funded Nonprofits
Technology

Technology & IT Consulting

We help mission-driven organizations modernize their technology infrastructure, improve data practices, and lead digital transformation without losing sight of who they serve.

Digital Transformation
Technology roadmaps and implementation strategies that align digital investments with organizational mission and operational realities.
Systems Integration
Advising on selection, integration, and optimization of EHRs, CRMs, case management platforms, and data infrastructure.
IT Program Management
Oversight and coordination for technology implementation projects, ensuring on-time delivery and stakeholder alignment.
Data Strategy
Designing data collection, management, and reporting systems to track outcomes and demonstrate impact to funders.
Technology Assessment
Auditing current technology infrastructure and identifying gaps, redundancies, and modernization opportunities.
Staff Training
Training programs that prepare staff to adopt new technologies and workflows with confidence and competence.
Who We Serve
Nonprofits & CBOsHealthcare ProvidersGovernment AgenciesEducational Institutions
Grant Strategy

Grant Strategy & Funding Readiness

We help organizations identify, pursue, and win the funding they need to sustain and scale their impact — from foundation grants to federal contract readiness.

Grant Writing
Researching, writing, and managing grant applications for foundation, state, and federal funding aligned to organizational priorities.
Funding Landscape Analysis
Mapping the funding ecosystem — identifying opportunities, analyzing funder priorities, and building a strategic pursuit calendar.
Federal Contract Readiness
SAM.gov registration, capability statement development, NAICS alignment, and BD strategy for government contracts.
RFP Response Development
Competitive RFP responses for government and foundation solicitations, including technical proposals and pricing narratives.
Revenue Diversification
Multi-year funding strategies that reduce single-stream dependence and build organizational financial resilience.
Funder Relationship Dev
Building relationships with foundation program officers, contracting officers, and key funding stakeholders.
Who We Serve
NonprofitsCommunity Health OrgsFaith-Based InstitutionsMBEs & Small Business
Communications

Strategic Communications & Brand

We help organizations clarify who they are, articulate what they do, and communicate with the authority and clarity their mission deserves — across every audience and channel.

Organizational Positioning
Defining unique value proposition, competitive differentiation, and market position across audiences and channels.
Brand Identity Development
Messaging architecture, voice guidelines, and visual identity direction for a coherent and compelling public presence.
Content Strategy
Content systems and editorial frameworks that build thought leadership, engage stakeholders, and grow organizational platform.
Crisis Communications
Communications strategy during high-stakes moments — leadership transitions, public incidents, and community concerns.
Stakeholder Communications
Plans that keep funders, board members, staff, and community stakeholders informed, engaged, and aligned.
Thought Leadership Strategy
Positioning organizational leaders as credible, visible voices through speaking, publishing, and media engagement strategy.
Who We Serve
NonprofitsHealthcare OrgsEducational InstitutionsGovernment Agencies

Not sure which service fits?

Most impactful engagements span two or three practice areas. Start with a conversation.

Schedule a Discovery Call →

Work that moved the needle.

Seven practice areas. Seven case studies. Each grounded in real engagement outcomes across behavioral health, education, government, and beyond.

All Work
Behavioral Health
Education
Org Development
Government
Technology
Grant Strategy
Communications
Behavioral Health
Behavioral Health
3×
Referral Growth
7
New Partners
60d
Ramp Time
Building a Regional Referral Ecosystem for a Community Behavioral Health Provider
A PRP provider in two Maryland counties had strong clinical outcomes but a stagnant referral pipeline. We built a systematic BD strategy and partner infrastructure — without adding headcount.
30-60-90 day BD strategy with prioritized partner matrix across hospitals, courts, schools, and CBOs
Full referral packet and outreach infrastructure deployed across both county markets within 60 days
3× referral volume growth within 90 days; 7 new formal partner relationships established
85% of staff rated the training "highly applicable" — process now runs independently
Business DevelopmentSystems DesignMaryland
Education
Education
92%
Completion
40+
Enrollees
Workforce Readiness Curriculum for At-Risk Youth
A faith-based organization needed culturally responsive workforce curriculum integrating mental health literacy, life skills, and vocational readiness without compromising their faith identity.
12-module curriculum grounded in trauma-informed practice; 92% completion rate in inaugural cohort
78% of participants cited the mental health literacy modules as the most valuable component
68% of graduates secured employment or vocational training within 90 days of completion
Adopted as flagship youth initiative; replication planned at 2 affiliate sites
Curriculum DesignWorkforce DevDMV Region
Strategic Planning
Org Development
100%
Board Adoption
30%
Ops Reduction
Strategic Repositioning for a Maturing Nonprofit Facing Mission Drift
A 15-year-old nonprofit had expanded organically, resulting in a diffuse mission, strained capacity, and declining funder confidence. Leadership needed external support to rebuild strategic clarity.
Facilitated planning retreat; refined mission and 4 strategic priorities adopted by unanimous board vote
Program portfolio analysis led to sunsetting 2 underfunded programs; operational strain reduced ~30%
3-year roadmap developed with governance-aligned accountability structures
Major funder renewed at increased level, citing improved organizational clarity as the deciding factor
Strategic PlanningGovernanceMid-Atlantic
Government
Government
300+
Voices
$1.2M
Add'l Funding
Community Engagement Strategy for a State-Funded Mental Health Initiative
A state health agency needed a culturally responsive engagement strategy to generate actionable input before rolling out a new mental health access program targeting underserved communities.
6-week engagement across 5 geographic zones; 14 orgs and 300+ community members engaged
Needs assessment identified top 7 access barriers — directly shaping final program design
Agency secured $1.2M in supplemental funding using findings from the engagement process
Agency leadership called it "the most substantive community input we have received on any initiative"
Community EngagementNeeds AssessmentState Agency
Technology
Technology
40%
Admin Time Saved
94%
Adoption Rate
EHR Implementation & Digital Transformation for a Multi-Site Community Health Provider
A community health nonprofit operating 3 sites ran on fragmented paper records and outdated software. Leadership needed to modernize but lacked internal IT expertise to manage the transition.
Needs assessment across 3 sites identified 11 critical technology gaps in existing workflows
EHR implementation reduced per-visit documentation time by 40%; eliminated paper billing errors
28-person staff training delivered; 94% system adoption within 30 days of go-live
Integrated dashboards fulfilled federal grant outcome-tracking requirements the org had previously been unable to meet
Digital TransformationEHRHealthcare
Grant Strategy
Grant Strategy
$2.4M
Proposals
90d
Ready Timeline
Federal Contract Readiness for a Community Health Nonprofit
A community health org with strong program outcomes had never pursued federal contracts, relying exclusively on foundation grants and lacking internal expertise to navigate federal procurement.
SAM.gov registration, UEI assignment, and NAICS alignment completed within 2 weeks
Capability statement cited by contracting officers as "among the most clearly positioned we've reviewed"
3 viable RFP opportunities identified; proposals totaling $2.4M submitted within 90 days
1 award confirmed; 2 pending — organization now has an active federal BD practice where none existed
Federal ContractsFunding ReadinessSAM.gov
Communications
Communications
3×
Media Inquiries
5
New Funders
Brand Repositioning for a Multi-Program Faith-Based Organization
A growing faith-based org with multiple program arms had no coherent brand architecture. Funders were confused. Community members couldn't articulate what the org did.
Unified brand architecture connecting 3 program arms with differentiated messaging for all audiences
Complete messaging guide and leadership communication training; exec director called it "transformational"
3× increase in media inquiry volume within 90 days of brand launch
5 new funder relationships secured, directly attributed to improved organizational clarity
Brand StrategyPositioningFaith-Based

Let's build your next case study.

Tell us what you're facing. We'll tell you how we'd approach it.

Start a Conversation →
Get in Touch

Every engagement starts
with a conversation.

Tell us about your organization and what you're navigating. We'll listen, clarify, and be direct about whether and how we can help. Discovery calls are 30 minutes, complimentary, and focused on your situation first.

Let's talk about
what you're building.

We respond to all inquiries within one business day. We don't pitch before we listen.

Email
hello@sozogroupworks.com
Website
sozogroupworks.com
Location
Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area
Serving clients nationally
Government Contracting
MBE Certified · SAM.gov Registered
Available for prime & subcontracting