Biography of Minister Herbert Allen Smith
Favorite Scripture: Philippians 4:13 NKJV - I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Born Herbert Allen Smith in Denver, Colorado, Allen was taught at an early age the value of education. Allen credits his parents for being his first and primary teachers, educating him with tools important for success in the professional world as well as being a responsible man.
As a child Allen was very active in sports, with his favorite being basketball. Allen was also involved with church and was a junior usher. This was a position he enjoyed greatly, because it allowed him to serve others. At the age of 12, his father an Elks member and Optimist member encouraged Allen to participate in a speech competition. Allen won the national Optimist Oratorical Speech contest and received a scholarship to a college of his choice.
Allen attended George Washington High School in Denver. He was a member of Student Council, played on the basketball team and was involved in a youth task force focused on educating youth of color.
Upon graduation in 1988, Allen received and accepted an athletic scholarship to play Division I basketball for Eastern Washington University. Allen was the only freshman to make the traveling team that year. He transferred after his freshman year to Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio to be closer to his sister-cousin.
While at CSU, he continued to play basketball becoming the all time leading scorer and Black College All-American. He was member of Student Government and a Student Ambassador. In 1993, Allen graduated with a BA in Mass Communication and a Minor in Speech.
The following year, he tried out in the NBA and played overseas in Brazil on a professional Christian Basketball Team. After playing for a year, Allen decided to give up that love to pursue a career in his major. For 8 years He worked at urban radio stations all over the Southeast as a Sales Manager. While working at radio station in Augusta, GA Allen met his wife, Yana Symone, who was a radio personality.
After having their 2nd child, they decided to move to Denver and plant their roots. Allen decided to get into education and became an Admission Director for DeVry University. A short time later, Allen was given the opportunity of a lifetime and was asked to help start a school for at-risk youth.
Wanting to prove he could be successful, Allen enrolled in several education programs. To date, Allen has received 4 principal certifications, The Big Picture Company through Brown University, Harvard University’s Urban Principal Institute, Denver University, Ritchie Leadership Academy and School Leaders of Colorado. He also has a Master in Arts and Ed. from Denver University.
Skyland Community High School opened in 2003 and is still the only school of its kind in Denver. Although Allen had little teaching and education experience, he did what many thought could never be done. Allen credits all success to God, “Only God can do God sized work that will bring Him the glory.” Three years after opening, Skyland had their 1st graduating class with 100% graduation, acceptance and attendance to college.
Allen has served as principal for 8 years and is the only African-American high school principal in the Denver Public School District at Martin Luther King Jr. Early College, which is now the 4th rated high school in Denver.
Allen has participated and been a presenter at many education conferences throughout the country and sits on numerous educational task forces and boards.
Although he is very proud of this work, his biggest accomplishments are being a devoted husband and father of 3 beautiful girls, Camri, Sierra and Chloe and doing God’s work as Associate Pastor at Lowry Community Christian Center.
