STEPHANIE ALLEN

VICE¯PRESIDENT, CATALYST COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENTS SOCIETY

NEW Five years ago, if most Vancouverites were asked to talk about the black community’s history in the city, most would have been hard pressed to say anything. But Stephanie Allen, who did her master’s degree research on that community in the Simon Fraser University urban studies program, has brought that historic group back to life. Allen, who works for non-profit housing developer Catalyst, is a leader in the group that is advocating for a community centre, business space and housing to mark the one-time location of Hogan’s Alley, at the eastern end of the viaducts, which the city is planning to demolish. Her combination of idealism and pragmatic skills made her a formidable negotiator during the city-planning process.

Community Builder Stephanie Allen is part of Hogan’s Alley Society, a group that advocates for Vancouver’s black communities through the delivery of housing, social spaces, education, health and intergenerational linkage.