THE DANIELLE ASHLEY GROUP is saddened by the recent and untimely death of their director of business development, Royal Allen. Allen will be remembered for his contribution to reducing health disparities through his work on the First Ladies Health Initiative.
Royal Allen played a major role as the director of business development in the growth of The Danielle Ashley Group’s First Ladies Health Initiative, which has helped provide tens of thousands of free health screenings across the country.
Allen, 52, passed away of congestive heart failure New Year’s Day.
Allen, who was an entrepreneurial senior marketing executive/- project developer and manager, began working at Danielle Ashley Group six years ago on the Chicago-based First Ladies Health Initiative, which the company found- ed. With his assistance, the initiative, comprised of 155 pastors’ wives, has expanded to five urban markets hosting annual Walgreens-sponsored First Ladies Health Days that have enabled more than 200,000 individuals in African-American and Hispanic communities to get free health screenings.
Through Allen’s efforts, the multi-denominational initiative has garnered support from more than 2,200 clinical volunteers and nearly 200 health care providers.
“Royal was a treasured colleague and friend who played an indispensable role with the First Ladies Health Initiative,” said Tracey Alston, founder of Dani- elle Ashley Group and executive director of the First Ladies Health Initiative. “His work made a difference in helping save lives in African-American and Latino communities. Our First Ladies Health Initiative family deeply mourns his loss. His family is in our prayers.”
“I am thankful for the contributions Royal made to the First Ladies Health Initiative,” said John Gremer, Walgreens director of Community Affairs. “His presence and contributions will be truly missed.”
Allen’s previous employers included Burrell Communications, Stedman Graham & Associates, The Leo Burnett Company and Kemper Lesnik Communications.
He was a professional concert pianist and vocalist.
He received his MBA from Harvard Graduate School of Business Management and earned dual B.A. degrees in economics and music from Amherst College.
He previously served as chair of the Auxiliary Board of the Chicago Academy of Sciences Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum and marketing chair for the Harvard Business School African American Alumni Association.
A memorial service will be announced by Danielle Ashley Group and posted at www.danielleashley.com and www.First LadiesHealth.com.
