Dr. Brandon Karl Allen, a passionate advocate for Harlem, refers back to the group because the “Black Mecca” due to its Afrocentric heritage and its resilience. He sees Harlem as an emblem of battle and success, which inspires people to persevere. “Harlem will educate you the best way to love your self in a chilly, merciless, and darkish world,” Allen mentioned in emphasizing the neighborhood’s position in fostering self-love and group connection.
Initially from Barnwell, S.C., Allen’s love for New York Metropolis started in his youth, when his aunt moved to Lengthy Island. He daydreamed about coming to go to her and his cousins in New York. His dream turned actuality when he moved to New York in 2008 to pursue graduate research at Columbia College and Union Theological Seminary, graduating in 2011. Allen recalled, “Rising up, I loved watching ‘Showtime on the Apollo’ and at all times mentioned I wished to dwell in NYC. My dream got here true [in] shifting right here for my grasp’s program.”
Allen started his pastoral journey in Buffalo, N.Y., the place he spent six years and earned his doctorate from New York Theological Seminary. He then moved to Bayshore, N,Y., to function pastor of Bethel AME Bay Shore Church for six years. His reverence for the church was instilled in him by his mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, who emphasised the significance of social work, household, and group. “These three girls taught me that every one of God’s folks imply one thing to God,” Allen mentioned.
In 2020, Allen returned to New York Metropolis and, in June 2023, turned pastor of St. Stephen Neighborhood Church in Harlem. “I fought tooth and nail to get again to NYC as a result of it’s simply one thing about Harlem,” he mentioned.
In his first 12 months at St. Stephen, Allen partnered with Dr. Lena Inexperienced from the HOPE Heart Harlem, a psychological well being clinic sponsored by First Corinthian Baptist Church, to supply free psychological well being providers. By that program, intern therapists from establishments like NYU and Columbia College present counseling twice per week in the course of the college 12 months, serving to to handle psychological well being wants locally. Allen hopes to increase these providers sooner or later to help these in want even higher.
St. Stephen Neighborhood Church has additionally hosted a child café that gives important provides to new and anticipating dad and mom. The church has additionally established a partnership with the EGN Worldwide Karate & Health Heart, providing karate lessons for kids on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Since Allen’s time on the church, they’ve distributed backpacks full of college provides. In 2023, they gave away 80 backpacks; in 2024, greater than 100; this 12 months, they count on to surpass these numbers.
Wanting ahead, Allen goals to introduce a meals pantry on the church and develop a bigger congregation, whereas additionally adopting a faculty to reinforce help for the Harlem group. “As a lot as we’d like the group, I do know wholeheartedly that the group wants the church,” he mentioned.
Allen’s dedication to Harlem is clear not simply in his phrases but in addition in his actions. He invitations the Harlem group to go to St. Stephen Neighborhood Church (2145 Frederick Douglass Avenue) for providers each Sunday at 10 a.m. He hopes to proceed to make a big affect in Harlem: “I would like Harlem to know that St. Stephen is a spot you may develop and you may be who you’re.”
