Born in Natchez, Mississippi to Willie and Maxine Allen, Rev. Allen is the oldest of three children and grew up in Claxton, Tennessee, just outside Knoxville. He went on to the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, where he wrote a column for The Daily Beacon and served as chapter president of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity.

After earning his degree in political science, he was struck with a profound sense of God's call — to a vibrant Christian faith joined to the joys and responsibilities of pastoral leadership. Before seminary he made a pilgrimage to Israel that shaped his faith deeply. He earned his Master of Divinity from Gammon Theological Seminary at the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta.

In April 2004 he married Rev. Sonya McAuley-Allen of Bellefonte Presbyterian Church (PCUSA). They have two sons, Derick and Keenan.