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Marcus Allen Biography

Marcus Allen is a visionary leader, former professional basketball player, and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters Independence (BBBSI), the largest one-to-one mentoring organization in Pennsylvania. Appointed as the first African American CEO in BBBSI’s 100-year history, Allen has spearheaded initiatives that transform the lives of countless young people through mentorship, innovation, and collaboration. His leadership extends beyond the nonprofit sector, making him a trusted keynote speaker for Fortune 500 companies on topics like sales motivation, DE&I, overcoming adversity, and leadership.

Before joining BBBSI, Allen served as CEO of ACHIEVEability, where he helped break the generational cycle of poverty for low-income families. His personal journey, growing up in poverty and finding inspiration through mentorship, fuels his passion for empowering others to achieve their full potential. Allen's charisma and authenticity make him a sought-after speaker who inspires audiences with his stories of resilience and transformation.

Under Allen’s leadership, BBBSI has partnered with organizations like the Philadelphia Eagles and Lincoln Financial Field to expand mentoring programs. A passionate advocate for social justice, Allen has appeared on CNN and Oprah Winfrey, addressing issues such as dismantling the school-to-prison pipeline. His efforts earned him prestigious appointments, including a role with the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights in Pennsylvania and as a Senior Fellow at the University of Pennsylvania’s Fels Institute of Government.

Allen’s expertise is widely recognized. He has delivered keynote speeches for high-profile organizations like Bank of America, Deloitte, and Independence Blue Cross, captivating audiences with his insights on team building, leadership, and employee engagement. His signature presentations, like “The Five I’s of Leadership” and “Do It Again, I Dare You,” provide practical tools for achieving sustained success in any industry.

In addition to his professional accolades, Allen holds an MBA in Technology Management and is a two-time inductee into the Paine College Sports Hall of Fame. His numerous honors include Philadelphia Business Journal’s Most Admired CEO Award and the McDonald’s Anthony De Luz Black History Maker of Today Award.

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Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 06/27/2025.

Marcus Allen Speaking Topics

  • 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.

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Marcus Allen Videos

Marcus Allen - Big Brothers Big Sisters Independence

Marcus Allen - Big Brothers Big Sisters Independence

Black History Month is a Call to Action: A Message from Marcus Allen

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  • How do I book Marcus Allen to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Marcus Allen for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Marcus Allen, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Marcus Allen or any other speaker of your choice.

  • What are the speaker fees for Marcus Allen

    Speaking fees for Marcus Allen, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Marcus Allen are $10,000 - $20,000 for live events and under $10,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Marcus Allen, click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.

  • What topics does Marcus Allen speak about?

    Marcus Allen is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Black Heritage, Black History Month, Change Management, Civil Rights, Culture, Empowerment, Executive Leadership, Human Resources, Leadership, Motivational, Non-Profit, Overcoming Adversity, Personal Growth, Philanthropy, Resilience, Social Activism, Social Justice, Success, Teamwork & Teambuilding

  • Where does Marcus Allen travel from?

    Marcus Allen generally travels from an undisclosed location, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.

  • Who is Marcus Allen’s agent?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like Marcus Allen for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Marcus Allen for your next private or corporate function.

  • What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

    AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Marcus Allen or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.

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    If you’re looking for the best, unbiased speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.

Marcus Allen is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Do It Again, I Dare You: The Three Tools to Replicating Success, Embrace the Future: How to Lead the Next Wave of Innovation and The Five I’s of Leadership: Winning with a Championship Mindset. The estimated speaking fee range to book Marcus Allen for your event is $10,000 - $20,000. Marcus Allen generally travels from and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Dr. Michael Time, Erin Gruwell, Alden Mills, Earvin “Magic” Johnson and Montel Williams. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Marcus Allen for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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