IPS - Kenneth Allen

This June, Herd Strategies is celebrating PRIDE by sharing the stories of #ChangeAgents that work and fight for our LGBTQIA+ community. Today’s #FridayFeature highlights Indianapolis Public Schools at-large Board Commissioner, Kenneth Allen who assisted in the development of a resolution supporting LGBTQIA+ students after the passing of Senate Bill 480. Kenneth “Biznessman” Allen is a certified child and youth care worker with Indiana Youth Services Association who fights to provide quality and equitable education for all children through civic engagement and servitude.

Q: Tell us about yourself and your role as an at-large board commissioner.

A: I'm a native of Gary and moved to Indianapolis in 2001 to attend IUPUI. Since my move, I have been exposed to many incredible opportunities, including becoming a school board member. As an "at large" commissioner, I have the pleasure of representing the entire district rather than one specific area. I also serve as the Board Secretary. 

Q: Why did you become an IPS board member?

A: Denise [Herd] and I worked together on Indiana Commission on the Social Status of Black Males. Part of what we would do was provide an annual report on the condition of Black men in 5 areas: Criminal Justice, Education, Employment, Health and Social Factors. In doing our research, I found that there were many disparities between children of color in education. 

This discovery pushed me to learn what I could do to help make education equitable. I strongly believe that the fundamentals behind any career path we desire comes from K-12 classrooms, so it’s imperative that we get it right. I found that school board members work closely with local government to determine the best outcomes for students, so I decided to run for a seat in 2020. 

Q: How has your previous experience in local government helped you with your role as an at-large board commissioner for IPS? 

A: I have had the privilege of serving on the Board of Business and Neighborhood Services as well as the Board of Public Works, both of which introduced me to a diverse network of people. Those roles gave me the opportunity to work and build with individuals from different backgrounds while becoming a stronger leader and board member.

Q: Passing the resolution showed students that IPS was/is a safe space for them to live authentically. Why do you think it's important for schools to be sanctuaries for their students?

A: Education is a right that should be afforded to all of our children-- a constitutional right. IPS is the largest school district in the state of Indiana so other districts look to us to see how we handle major occurrences. That means we have a huge responsibility and opportunity to be innovative and creative in providing equitable, accessible education for all. It’s very important for our students [and staff] to know that they can come to IPS and feel safe, be themselves and not let any outside factors impede their educational path. We prioritize this for our staff and scholars. 

Q: Where do you see IPS in 5 years?

A: I definitely see IPS growing– both in student population and in academic success. We had some of the best scores in the district coming out of the pandemic. I would love to see those numbers continue to increase. I also would love to see more implementation of renovations and upgrades to our campuses that will get students and parents excited about their educational experience.

Q: Is there anything else you'd like to share?

A: While we as board members are elected to make decisions on behalf of the community, we can’t do it all ourselves. Local residents should get engaged at board meetings because we take public input very seriously. I highly encourage our community, families and even students to come and share opinions and thoughts because we achieve greater success when we work as a rainbow coalition. The more voices captured, the better!

To keep up with Kenneth and his work with IPS, follow him on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram, or visit the IPS website. 

*This interview has been edited for length and clarity.