Jan 13 2025
Marcus Allen, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters Independence and former professional basketball player, is trusted by Fortune 500 companies as a sales motivational and DE&I speaker.
Marcus Allen is a former professional basketball player and current CEO of the Big Brothers Big Sisters Independence Region. His career success on the basketball court, in the business community, and leadership within the non-profit space make him a sought-after keynote speaker on topics ranging from team building, DE&I, overcoming adversity and motivation.
Prior to joining BBBS Independence, Allen was Chief Executive Officer of ACHIEVEability, a Philadelphia-based nonprofit helping to break the generational cycle of poverty for low-income, single parent, and homeless families by providing academic, employment, housing and family support services. Marcus’s personal story of growing up in poverty, finding the value in mentorship, and learning the important lessons taught through sports, have impacted both his professional career and personal life.
Marcus Allen is available to be booked for corporate and private events. He is also well-known for his keynote and motivational speaking. Contact the Mollie Plotkin Group today to inquire about Marcus Allen’s fees.
Contact the Mollie Plotkin Group at 215-510-6607 to book Marcus Allen for corporate or private events, keynote speeches, workshops, fireside chats, motivational speaking, or virtual appearances. Our agency will work directly with your organization and our keynote speakers to create an unforgettable event.
The Mollie Plotkin Group is the leading keynote speakers agency and entertainment bureau bringing excitement to audiences, clients, and employees. We represent subject-matter experts in every possible field, so whether we’re your partner in creating a memorable meeting, or your meeting planner’s secret weapon in securing the perfect keynote speaker, we’re in this with you.
Marcus Allen became the first African American CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters Independence (BBBSI), in its celebrated 100-year history. It is the largest one-to-one mentoring program in Pennsylvania and the third largest in the country. Marcus’s work has garnered prestigious awards including the Philadelphia Business Journal’s “Most Admired CEO.”
In 2022, BBBSI partnered with Lincoln Financial Field and the Philadelphia Eagles to recruit 100 “Bigs” over the 2022 football season. Marcus Allen said, “Kids just need someone they can talk to, kids need someone who will walk shoulder-to-shoulder with them, and partner with them as they’re navigating through the challenges and complexities growing up,” The Philadelphia Eagles reported.
As a thought leader and panel expert, he has appeared on CNN, Oprah Winfrey and various local and national news shows. Marcus Allen has been invited as the keynote speaker to fortune 500 companies such as Bank of America, Deloitte and others.
With expertise and experience covering a variety of topics, audiences leave his experiential talks entertained and inspired.
Keynote speaker Marcus Allen is a charismatic and passionate public servant, devoted to helping those less fortunate. He is a visionary leader with more than 20 years of experience as a nonprofit executive, and in 2013, he joined Big Brothers Big Sisters Independence as its first Black CEO. Additionally, he serves as Co-Chair of its Diversity Equity and Inclusion Committee. Furthermore, he is a member of its National Leadership Council.
When Allen was only nine years old and in the third grade, he met his lifelong coach and mentor. That man laid the foundation for him to attend college and escape poverty. Since then, Allen’s mission has been to break these prevalent cycles our youth are facing through ongoing innovation and collaboration in quality youth mentoring programs and relationships.
Although, Mr. Allen’s influence reaches far beyond Big Brothers Big Sisters. Mr. Allen is a respected community leader and outspoken advocate of amplifying social justice and dismantling the school-to-prison pipeline. For this reason, he is a sought-after keynote speaker on a variety of topics and has appeared numerous times on local and national television networks. Furthermore, Mr. Allen’s efforts have led to appointments to the US Commission on Civil Rights in Pennsylvania, and as a Senior Fellow for the Fels Institute of Government at the University of Pennsylvania.
Currently, Marcus Allen is a highly sought-after keynote speaker. He has spoken to several high-profile organizations such as Bank of America, EOS and Independence Blue Cross.
Mr. Allen has an MBA in Technology Management from the University of Phoenix. Also, he is a two-time inductee into the Paine College Sports Hall of Fame.
Additionally, Marcus Allen has received the following awards and honors:
Find out how to hire Marcus Allen to appear at your next event. Contact the Mollie Plotkin Group to inquire about Marcus Allen’s availability and cost. When booking Marcus Allen for an event, we need to know the type of venue and location the event will take place. Marcus Allen is a popular choice for corporate events, private events, and virtual events. So, you can click the Check Availability button or contact us and an MPG Marcus Allen booking agent will get back to you within 48 hours.
How much to book Marcus Allen depends on the type of event. So, the cost to hire Marcus Allen for corporate or private events is available by contacting a Mollie Plotkin Group Agent. Notably, Marcus Allen is available for conferences, festivals, private parties and events. Just contact the Mollie Plotkin Group and tell the booking agent the proposed date, time, and location.
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The Three Tools to Replicating Success
Marcus Allen, from his years of leadership experience, combatting adversity, and community organizing, knows that replicated success is the key to growth. Therefore, he has proven that these three tools are essential to replicating success. Additionally, Marcus Allen gave this speech at the 2022 EOS conference in Orlando, Florida, and the audience voted him the best speaker at the conference.
What is it that is holding you in the present and keeping you from accessing your brightest future? This presentation is built on years of working with incubation groups that are trying to stay ahead of the next wave. I will help you and your team figure out, not just what is coming next, but how to shape what is coming next.
Success starts with an “I.” There is no I in Team, but there are two I’s in Championship.
Employee happiness should be a top priority. Cultivating optimism and a high-performance mindset with a firm strategy will boost productivity and lower your turnover rate.
Leaders that demonstrate the Five I’s can transform their employees and organization:
Marcus Allen joined us as the keynote speaker for our Martin Luther King, Jr. Day celebration today. He issued a motivating reminder to our team. ”There are thousands of people counting on you, and they are impacted by the way you serve them and this community.” Thank you, Marcus, for your inspiring words and for underscoring the importance of community service to achieve Dr. King’s dream and keep his legacy alive.
“I want to personally thank you for your message. Inspired by your vulnerability, heart, passion, vision, advocacy, and truth for our kids. I was moved and inspired by everything you shared. I look forward to sharing your recording with my organization.”
– Ricardo Villalobos, Ph.D., Chief Programs Officer, Workforce Connections
