Marcus Allen

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.

Want to book Marcus Allen for an event?

Contact the Mollie Plotkin Group at 215-995-0905 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.

Historic CEO

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.

His Story

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.

Marcus Allen’s Awards and Honors

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:

• Philadelphia Business Journal’s Most Admired CEO Award.
• McDonald’s Anthony De Luz Black History Maker of Today Award.
• Philadelphia Tribune’s Top 10 list of Most Influential African Americans Under the Age of 40
• Titan Top 100 Philadelphia CEO Award

To hire Marcus Allen for an event, contact the Mollie Plotkin Group with the proposed event date, location, audience size, event format and program goals. Marcus Allen is available for corporate events, conferences, leadership meetings, private events, workshops, fireside chats and virtual programs.

After receiving your request, a Mollie Plotkin Group booking agent will review Marcus Allen’s availability, discuss the event details and get back to you within 48 hours with next steps for securing Marcus Allen for your program.

The cost to book Marcus Allen depends on the event date, location, format, audience size and scope of the appearance. Marcus Allen’s speaking fee starts at $15,000, while virtual programs typically start at $7,500. Speaking fees may vary for keynote speeches, workshops, fireside chats, private events, corporate meetings and virtual programs.

For the most accurate Marcus Allen booking fee, contact the Mollie Plotkin Group with your event details. Our team will help confirm availability, pricing and the best format for your event.

Do It Again, I Dare You: The Three Tools to Replicating Success

Success is not a one-time event—it’s a process that must be replicated and sustained. Marcus Allen, a professional athlete turned visionary CEO, has mastered the art of achieving and repeating success. Through his leadership experience, battles with adversity, and commitment to community impact, Marcus has identified three key tools that anyone—business leader, entrepreneur, or changemaker—can use to replicate their success consistently.

At the 2022 EOS Conference in Orlando, Marcus delivered this keynote to a captivated audience, who ultimately voted him the best speaker of the event. Now, he brings this impactful presentation to organizations ready to break through barriers and build sustainable success.

Key Takeaways:

• Commitment – Success begins with an unwavering commitment to a goal, and the discipline to execute it daily. Marcus shares strategies for staying resilient in the face of challenges and maintaining focus when the excitement fades.
• Authenticity – True leaders and high performers embrace their authentic selves. Marcus explores how leading with transparency and integrity creates trust, strengthens teams, and fuels long-term success.
• Compassion – A people-first approach is a winning approach. Marcus reveals how demonstrating empathy and compassion—whether in leadership, business, or life—leads to greater impact, stronger relationships, and a deeper sense of purpose.

Embrace the Future: How to Lead the Next Wave of Innovation

The future is not something to fear—it’s something to shape. But what is holding you or your organization back from stepping boldly into the next big opportunity?

Marcus Allen has spent years working with innovation incubators, leading transformative initiatives, and guiding organizations through change. In this keynote, he challenges audiences to stop waiting for “what’s next” and start actively creating it.

Key Takeaways:

• Identify What’s Holding You Back – Discover the hidden barriers—mindsets, strategies, or outdated practices—that prevent you from stepping into a brighter future.
• Adapt and Evolve – Learn how the best leaders anticipate change, embrace discomfort, and pivot with confidence.
• Lead the Way – Instead of reacting to change, Marcus shows how organizations can proactively shape the trends, technologies, and movements that will define their industry.

The Five I’s of Leadership: Winning with a Championship Mindset

While there may be no “I” in Team, there are two in Championship—and great leadership requires both individual excellence and collective empowerment.

Marcus Allen, a seasoned executive, former professional athlete, and transformational leader, has identified five essential traits that define championship-caliber leadership. Leaders who master these five “I’s” lower turnover rate, boost productivity, and create a thriving organizational culture.

This keynote is designed for executives, managers, and anyone striving to become a stronger, more effective leader. Attendees leave with actionable strategies to cultivate a winning mindset and lead with purpose.

The Five I’s of Leadership:

• Insight – The ability to see beyond the present moment, recognize patterns, and make informed decisions that drive success.
• Intelligence – Not just academic knowledge, but emotional intelligence—the key to building strong relationships, fostering collaboration, and making high-impact decisions.
• Intuition – The best leaders trust their instincts. Marcus shares how to develop and refine your intuition to make bold, confident choices.
• Iteration – Success is not static. It’s a process of continuous improvement. Learn how to embrace failure as a stepping stone to innovation and excellence.
• Influence – Leadership is about impact. Discover how to inspire, motivate, and drive change—in your company, community, and industry.