Our Executive Leadership

Dr. Keisha N. Allen

Master Professional Development Trainer

Hello. My name is Dr. Keisha N. Allen and I am the Chief Executive Officer of BFDI International Training Institute (BITI). People often ask me, “What do you do?” My response is, “I transform relationships.” I have found that homes, schools, and communities thrive when building relationships is the primary focus to producing outcomes that make a difference.

I began this journey in 2012, which happened to be the worst year of my life. It was the year I lost my mother; I was separated from an organization I loved dearly; and I took on a job that caused me such extreme stress, I developed a condition that mimicked a heart attack. My opportunity came when Alice G. Thompson, CEO Emeritus of Black Family Development, Inc., called me, and asked me to come to work for her. I made the decision to take the opportunity. My first assignment was to complete a series of restorative practices trainings. These trainings impacted me both personally, and professionally. During that time, I was witness to my pain turning into my medicine. Since then, I have continued to seek out best practice trainings that go beyond providing surface level information. Instead, I provide trainings that are transformational and yield relevant and practical experiences.

The trainings I have led has impacted schools by shifting climates and cultures into productive learning environments that improve attendance, behavior, and academics. In justice systems, authority figures have learned how to influence positive changes in behavior by using affective communication. Politicians have used my trainings to effectively reach community members. Churches have experienced more effective volunteer ministries, and corporations have learned how to manage workplace violence and turn them into brave spaces of peace and support.

For nearly a decade I have received A+ ratings on my trainings.

I have my bachelor’s degree in communications, my master’s degree in Restorative Practices, and my doctoral degree in Executive Leadership and Counseling.

I am the proud wife of twenty plus years to my husband Paul D. Allen, and mother to our beautiful daughter Kendall Jordan Allen.