A Second Chance to Play
“Before I came to Helping Up Mission, I was a professional musician and I enjoyed partying on weekends,” says Allen, 44. Born in Washington, D.C., he moved to Baltimore at 11, caught between his father’s dreams of boxing and his mother’s vision of ministry through music.
At 17, Allen was in the wrong place at the wrong time—shot five times. “One bullet hit two inches from my heart; another struck my right arm so badly doctors considered amputation. They told me I’d never box or play piano again—but God had other plans.”
Music remained his first love. He played in church and blues clubs, connecting with local musicians. In 2005, he won a national music competition. “The music world was wide open to me.”
When his mother divorced, Allen left his music career to support her church. He became a chef, then worked for Baltimore Safe and Sound, rooting himself in the community. Later, defending himself during a robbery led to prison, where Emmy Award-winning actor Charles ‘Rock’ Dutton became his protector.
Released after two years, Allen worked at a local hospital as a music therapist, then head receiving clerk. But his perfect life unraveled after a confrontation involving a handgun. “Even though I didn’t pull the gun, I fought for my innocence for eight weeks. When I got out, I had lost everything.”
He began drinking heavily. His mother, familiar with HUM through prison ministry, urged him to come. “I was stressed, broken and had nothing left.”
During HUM’s 45-day blackout phase, Allen learned his nephew had been murdered. “It was devastating. I was ready to walk away.” The next day, Mike Rallo, Director of Spiritual Life, asked him to speak at chapel. “When I shared my story, I saw the support I had here. That moment kept me going.”
Soon, others heard him play piano and invited him to join the HUM Choir & Band. “Before I knew it, I was assistant choir director. Having music back has been healing—it builds brotherhood, trust and joy.”
