10 Street Name, City Name
Country, Zip Code
555-555-5555
mymail@mailservice.com
About The People's Candidate
Allen Shay, born in Bolton, Mississippi and lived in Jackson, Mississippi moved to Pasadena at the age of five alongside his widowed mother and thirteen siblings growing up in a humble environment. Allen's early experience shaped his character, instilling values of hard work and respect for others.
His journey into civil rights activism began with his involvement in the 1964 civil rights bill experiment and the Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) integration efforts, where he experienced firsthand the transformative power of education and community integration.
As a proud product of PUSD Allen attended James Madison Elementary, Elliott Junior High School, and graduated from John Muir High School. Eager to embrace every facet of his education, he attended school year-round graduating early and enrolling at Pasadena City College to further his studies and become the first male in his family to attain a college education. He later graduated from the University of Southern California with a bachelor’s degree in political science and a minor in business.
With a solid foundation in his upbringing and experience gained from his family's business The Little Red Hen Coffee Shop the oldest black-owned business in Altadena, Allen ventured into entrepreneurship. For over 40 years he has weathered economic challenges, including two major recessions and the impact of COVID-19, establishing himself as a successful business owner in the South Lake Business District.
In partnership with high school classmate John Burch, Allen co-founded Burch, Shay and Associates. After five years of business growth, he furthered his education earning a Juris Doctorate Law Degree and a real estate brokers license.
Allen’s love for Pasadena stems from the incredible quality of life and opportunities he experienced after moving from the Jim Crow South. Inspired by his mother's achievement of purchasing a home within six months of their relocation, he became committed to serving the community from a young age.
His commitment to service began as a seven-year-old volunteer, tending to the needs of senior neighbors over the years. Allen's passion for community service grew, leading him to coach minor League baseball, football, and basketball for his younger siblings, brothers, and nephews.
In 1985, Allen gained the opportunity to meet and become mentored by Dr. Joseph Jacobs of The Jacobs Engineering Firm. A year later, Allen, inspired by Dr. Jacobs, moved his office across the street, where his business continues to operate in the South Lake business district. In 1987, he became an executive board member of the Pasadena’s NAACP. In 1984, he established the nonprofit foundation: “Our Society Foundation” to provide scholarships, internships, and mentorships to college-bound students from PUSD.
Allen's dedication to community development led to his appointment as chair of The Lincoln Avenue Steering Committee in 1997. Over the years, he has served on various committees, including the Local Government Relationship Committee and the Pasadena Association of Realtors.
His commitment to fair and equitable results for the residents of the northwest district has been unwavering. In 2010, encouraged by local leaders, Allen ran as a City Council candidate, initiating his journey into local governance. Although he did not win, he was appointed by Councilman Gene Masuda to the Northwest Commission for 12 years, and he served the longest term of anyone, holding leadership roles as chair and vice chair multiple times. Allen was chair of the Pasadena City Bond committee from 2012 to 2016.
Allen's extensive experience in business and community service equipped him to address critical issues during the economic downturns, including affordable housing, homelessness, job creation, public safety- police engagement, and youth programs.
In 2014 Allen faced significant challenge during his mayoral campaign when Los Angeles County Sheriff falsely arrested him. Undeterred, he continued his campaign and participated in the 2015 mayoral race, ultimately won by Terry Tornek.
Despite the challenges, Allen's dedication to serving the community remains resolute from his early volunteer work to his current roles, he strives for fair and equitable outcomes for the residents of Pasadena, embodying a commitment to community service and governance.
