LaJuan Allen began his career as the Community Relations Coordinator for Mayor Jorge O. Elorza in Providence, Rhode Island, and most recently served as Director of Policy & Partnerships. His portfolio included leading, implementing, and coordinating policy initiatives and high-quality, quick turnaround research, and analysis in support of the mayor’s policy agenda.

LaJuan, in collaboration with the city’s COVID recovery office, provided leadership with the implementation of the City of Providence’s COVID-19 Recovery and Resiliency Plan, including exciting key programs and initiatives recommended by the city’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Task Force. In his role, he supported the Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) by providing strategic guidance around city policy and was responsible for broadening and strengthening meaningful partnerships with key external stakeholders. LaJuan served as the lead advisor on all aspects of the Mayor’s Youth & education priorities, providing creative and strategic leadership that supports the implementation of the mayor’s investments around youth & education, including overseeing the City’s participation in Harvard’s By-All-Means Initiative and served as the key liaison between the Providence School Board, Providence School Department, Rhode Island Department of Education, and Charter Schools.

LaJuan became the first person in his family to graduate from college earning a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science/Public Policy and Sociology from the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in 2018. In May of 2022, LaJuan graduated from the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth with a Master’s in Public Policy with a concentration in Education Policy. LaJuan currently serves as a member of the board for Black Lives Matter RI PAC & a member of the Providence Promise Board of Directors, and a member of the RI Black Heritage Society Board of Directors.