An unsung shero of Los Angeles City is Dr. Belinda Allen, the executive director of the West Angeles Community Development Corporation (WACDC) and vice president of the Los Angeles Affordable Housing Commissioners. She leads the largest African American faith-based community development corporation in America.
Dr. Allen has been a member of West Angeles Church of God in Christ for over 30 years under the leadership of Bishop Charles E. Blake, Sr. and Elder Charles Blake II. She was a WACDC board member and served as board chair for more than 20 years.
She is responsible for casting the vision for the WACDC, board development, grant writing, negotiating business deals, fund development, staff management, and overall management for social services and large real estate projects.
Related Links:
https://lasentinel.net/west-angeles-cdc-holds-16th-toy-giveaway.html
https://lasentinel.net/u-s-bank-honors-west-angeles-cdc-executive-director.html
The Annual WACDC Gala is one of Los Angeles City’s premiere events. Hollywood movies stars, recording artists, corporate leaders, and hundreds of West Angeles members attend. Dr. Belinda Allen is saved, sanctified, and selected by God to serve at such a time as these.
WACDC’s mission is to increase social and economic justice, demonstrate compassion, and alleviate poverty as tangible expression of the Kingdom of God through the vehicle of community development.
WACDC is commissioned to restore economic justice through community investment and engagement. West Angeles CDC is divided into multiple departments to combat all areas of social injustice, this includes but isn’t limited to, economic development, education, neighborhood revitalization, emergency services, young in LA and community development, and employment.
WACDC successfully operates a multidisciplined, holistic approach to community development. Dr. Allen uses a three-pronged approach to community development:
WACDC’s Community Assistance & Outreach Department provides social services programs to include Employment Programs; Recidivism program; Temporary to permanent Housing; 3FN Program (Faith Foster & Family); Emergency services for food, clothing, transportation, and utility assistance. Dr. Allen regularly serves the homeless on skid row in downtown Los Angeles and through South Los Angeles.
WACDC’s Financial Wealth Building Department is committed to teaching the community homeownership and investment skills. They are financial intermediaries for down payment assistance to purchase a home. They educate first-time homeowners, assisting them in preparing paperwork, credit counselling, setting meetings with bank lending officers, and how to retain a home. The entrepreneurial program has helped hundreds of young people start and succeed in developing a new business.
WACDC Community Housing Department owns and operates single family homes and apartments for seniors. Their multiple affordable housing properties serve over four hundred families. WACDC’s Commercial properties located on Crenshaw Blvd lease commercial space to US Bank, 99cents store, and the Watts Health Clinic. There is an upcoming affordable housing development with over four hundred units, commercial space and multiple job creation opportunities for residents of South Los Angeles. Dr. Belinda Allen is making a measurable difference in the community!!!
In 1989, Allen had the pleasure of touring West Africa. After witnessing so many helpless people, it was birthed in her spirit to return to her country and end poverty, food deserts, reduce crime, and build better lives. As a former board member of The Boeing Company’s (TBC) Employees Community Fund where employees of Southern California give more than $4M to non-profit organizations annually, she has bottom-line responsibilities and an above the line consciousness to serve the least of these.
Dr. Allen’s career started at TBC right after high school as a policy and procedures assistant. She held several senior roles in Finance Management and retired after 36 years. In addition, she served as president of TBC’s Diversity Council, representing 4,000 employees.
Dr. Allen received her doctorate in Business Administration Leadership from Capella University and received her MBA from the University of Redlands. She is a former student of the faith-based Community Transformation Program at USC and is a member of the National Black MBA Association.
As a former member of the Youth Motivational Task Force, Belinda represented TBC while mentoring and motivating students at risk in the Los Angeles Unified School District. Also, she is the former founder and president of the Unique and Intelligent Book Club where young ladies ages 14-17 years old were encouraged to read one book a month and annually give their time and money to a non-profit organization.
In addition, Allen is founder of the Ladies Only Brunch, a community outreach with the Susan Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Over 100 individuals meet in her home to network and discuss current issues.
She is married to Mr. Jerome Allen, and they are the proud parents of Erika and Malik.
