Dr. Brandon Karl Allen, a passionate advocate for Harlem, refers to the community as the “Black Mecca” because of its Afrocentric heritage and its resilience. He sees Harlem as a symbol of struggle and success, which encourages individuals to persevere. “Harlem will teach you how to love yourself in a cold, cruel, and dark world,” Allen said in emphasizing the neighborhood’s role in fostering self-love and community connection.
Originally from Barnwell, S.C., Allen’s love for New York City began in his youth, when his aunt moved to Long Island. He daydreamed about coming to visit her and his cousins in New York. His dream became reality when he moved to New York in 2008 to pursue graduate studies at Columbia University and Union Theological Seminary, graduating in 2011. Allen recalled, “Growing up, I enjoyed watching ‘Showtime at the Apollo’ and always said I wanted to live in NYC. My dream came true [in] moving here for my master’s program.”
Allen began his pastoral journey in Buffalo, N.Y., where he spent six years and earned his doctorate from New York Theological Seminary. He then moved to Bayshore, N,Y., to serve as pastor of Bethel AME Bay Shore Church for six years. His reverence for the church was instilled in him by his mom, grandmother, and great-grandmother, who emphasized the importance of social work, family, and community. “Those three women taught me that all of God’s people mean something to God,” Allen said.
In 2020, Allen returned to New York City and, in June 2023, became pastor of St. Stephen Community Church in Harlem. “I fought tooth and nail to get back to NYC because it’s just something about Harlem,” he said.
In his first year at St. Stephen, Allen partnered with Dr. Lena Green from the HOPE Center Harlem, a mental health clinic sponsored by First Corinthian Baptist Church, to offer free mental health services. Through that program, intern therapists from institutions like NYU and Columbia University provide counseling twice a week during the school year, helping to address mental health needs in the community. Allen hopes to expand these services in the future to support those in need even better.
St. Stephen Community Church has also hosted a baby café that provides essential supplies to new and expecting parents. The church has also established a partnership with the EGN International Karate & Fitness Center, offering karate classes for children on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Since Allen’s time at the church, they have distributed backpacks filled with school supplies. In 2023, they gave away 80 backpacks; in 2024, more than 100; this year, they expect to surpass those numbers.
Looking forward, Allen aims to introduce a food pantry at the church and grow a larger congregation, while also adopting a school to enhance support for the Harlem community. “As much as we need the community, I know wholeheartedly that the community needs the church,” he said.
Allen’s commitment to Harlem is evident not just in his words but also in his actions. He invites the Harlem community to visit St. Stephen Community Church (2145 Frederick Douglass Avenue) for services every Sunday at 10 a.m. He hopes to continue to make a significant impact in Harlem: “I want Harlem to know that St. Stephen is a place you can grow and you can be who you are.”
Awesome!
Awesome! Keep up the great work.