Richard Allen (abolitionist)

Richard Allen (1760–1831) was an influential African American leader and abolitionist who co-founded the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, the first independent Black denomination in the U.S. His efforts promoted religious freedom, education, and the end of slavery. Allen's leadership provided a spiritual and organizational foundation for African Americans seeking equality and civil rights. Through his activism, he challenged racial discrimination and worked toward social justice, making him a significant figure in the fight against slavery and racial oppression during the late 18th and early 19th centuries.