Richard Allen was a prominent figure in Black history as a leader in the African American community and a founder of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church. Born into slavery in Philadelphia in 1760, Allen eventually purchased his freedom in 1783. He became a minister and established the Free African Society with Absalom Jones, aiming to provide support and assistance to the Black community in Philadelphia.

In 1816, Allen founded the AME Church in response to racial segregation in the St. George's Methodist Episcopal Church. The AME Church became the first independent Black denomination in the United States. Allen was instrumental in advocating for the rights and dignity of African Americans, both within the church and in society at large.

Richard Allen's legacy extends beyond the founding of the AME Church; he was a strong advocate for abolition and civil rights. He used his position as a minister to speak out against slavery and racial discrimination, and he worked to uplift and empower the Black community through education and organized activism. Richard Allen's contributions to Black history are significant, as he paved the way for future generations of African American leaders and helped to shape the course of the civil rights movement in America.