Crowned Mister Howard University this past October alongside Miss Howard Damaris Moore, Gregory Allen, Jr. now represents all Historically Black Colleges and Universities nationally as the 21st Mister HBCU, a title he earned during the Mister HBCU Kings’ Leadership Conference and Competition. He considers his roles to be a great honor—one that wouldn’t have been possible without the support of many others.

“It truly has been a blessing and an honor to experience something like this and take advantage of such an opportunity,” said Allen of winning both titles, before acknowledging the support system of friends, family, peers, faculty, and advisors. “It’s unexplainable, really; you can't buy things like that. I'm definitely appreciative.”  

The Mister HBCU Kings’ Leadership Conference and Competition was founded in 2004, on the Missouri campus of Lincoln University. During the conference, HBCU representatives participate in workshops focused on leadership, personal and professional development, and community and social engagement – in addition to the competition that includes a themed formal event, talent portion, and an oratory. Its mission, “to enhance the leadership skills of males attending HBCUs by creating an infrastructure for leadership that enables them to develop as spokespersons, role models and leaders in their respective universities and communities,” aligns with that of Howard’s own Mister and Miss Howard competition. 

As members of Howard University’s Royal Court, Mr. and Ms. Howard University lead an elite group of students who “represent the best of character, school pride, and campus ambassadorship.” The court initiates and promotes leadership on campus via community, academic, and careers-focused initiatives. That means as Mr. Howard, Allen serves as an ambassador for the University, representing Howard at internal events like Homecoming, Spring Fest, and Bison Ball, in addition to being the external face and embodiment of the institution’s commitment to truth and service by contributing to community initiatives and acting as a leader of the student body. 

In his expanded role, Allen is a leader and advocate for the entire HBCU community. Surprisingly, these important roles are among Allen’s first in student leadership. He encourages students to step outside their comfort zones to try something new, and to take advantage of opportunities as they present themselves, as he did during his third year at Howard.

“This is my first student leadership position on campus," said Allen, noting that sometimes people feel like they can’t do something “new” without a strong history or background. "That’s probably one of my favorite things to say, specifically to underclassmen on campus.” 

“I wanted to take advantage of the time that I had left at Howard; really use that time to step outside my comfort zone in ways that I hadn't before,” said Allen. “So, when opportunity to run for Mr. Howard came across my desk, I jumped on it and just put my best foot forward.”

“I'm constantly trying to uplift the importance of youth in any way that I can, because I feel like that’s how we make strides and step forward into the next generation — by pouring into those that are coming up after us.” 

Allen received the Oratory Award at this year’s Mister HBCU competition for his speech, “SOS – Save Our Sons.” His speech called attention to the importance of uplifting and protecting young Black men through mentorship, systematic change, education, and empowerment, as well as with mental health services. He issued a “call to action” for institutions and communities to invest in young Black men — an investment he himself is committed to making in his personal life as well as through his platform as Mister HBCU.  

“I honestly just want to keep doing the things I've tried to embody my entire life,” Allen said when asked how he intends to use his platform to further his commitment to young Black men. “I have three younger brothers who have been looking up to me my entire life. I've always had my dad telling me you have to set the example.” 

Allen believes in setting that example at home, school, and in the community. 

“I'm constantly trying to uplift the importance of youth in any way that I can, because I feel like that’s how we make strides and steps forward in the next generation — by pouring into those that are coming up after us," he said.

Miss North Carolina A&T State University was crowned as the first Miss HBCU during the conference, and Allen was happy to celebrate that history as well as the history he made as the first Mr. Howard to become Mr. HBCU.

“I believe that there are no coincidences in this life, that everything is divinely written, and there is divine timing behind everything that goes on,” said Allen, whose motto is to simply put one foot in front of the other, taking each day one step at a time. “I feel like that has led me to where I am now, and I am ultimately just along for the ride, and, blessed to be a part of the experience and journey.”  

When asked about his growing legacy, the King of all HBCUs and member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., said that he hopes people don’t look at the things he’s done or is doing as mere accomplishments for personal gain. 

“I want people to be able to look at my legacy and say that they didn't see me doing things that I was doing, trying to accomplish whatever it was that I was trying to accomplish, for my own gain or personal wants,” Allen said. But that I was walking in the purpose that God had for my life.”