Joshua Allen, BA 2014

STEM and Music Teacher, Andrew Wilson Charter School
Founder & CEO, The Protege Project

Joshua Allen was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. During his time at Southeastern, he was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and participated in several music programs. He graduated in 2014 with a degree in Communication. After several years of being a professional graphic designer in the corporate arena, he was inspired to make a change. He is now teacher at Andrew Wilson Charter School where he has truly found his calling. After recognizing the significant need for hands-on STEM curriculum in local schools, he launched The Protege Project: a non-profit organization "committed to exposing, inspiring, and engaging members of the community into the world of science, technology, engineering, and math." In 2022, TPP introduced the STEM BOX program, which provides free STEM experiment kits for children and their families.

Learn more about Joshua:

Is there one thing or iconic place on campus that reminds you of your time spent at Southeastern?

Friendship Circle will always be iconic for me. It's the heart of Southeastern. Circling around Friendhsip Oak during Homecoming with my fraternity brothers is the highlight of my time there year after year.

What is your fondest Southeastern memory?

Joining Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. has been my fondest Southeastern memory. This organization taught me how to find my voice, advocate for my community, and hone my leadership abilities. I've made lifelong friendships through Alpha.

How did your Southeastern degree prepare you for success in your career?

My degree taught me how to be versatile and has allowed me to explore what I truly enjoy doing.

What do you enjoy about your current position/profession?

I get to teach little humans how to unlock their greatest potential. Only 2% of educators in the US are black males, so I feel that it's important for me to be the best representation that I can be. I believe every child has the right to an education and I'm blessed to play my part in developing the next generation's leaders. 

Has something about your Southeastern education surprised you since graduating?

Southeastern has taught me how to communicate with people from all over the world. No matter what race, creed, or religion, I am able to engage in meaningful conversation and make connections that have elevated my life both personally and professionally.

What advice would you give to a driven college student about to enter the "real world"?

Follow the career that you love. If you put your all into what you love, the money will meet you where you are.  

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

I love to create websites, t-shirts, logos, and more. Having the ability to imagine something and then bring it to life is a gift that I don't take for granted.

Do you have a fun or interesting fact that you would like to share about yourself?

I've learned that many elemantary and middle schools don't teach STEM. When I began to receive lots of positive feedback on social media about the activities and lessons I created for my students, I decided to share the knowledge. In 2022, I developed STEM BOXES. These boxes include 3 DIY STEM activites for children and families. The best part: the boxes are free of charge.

Click HERE to learn more about The Protege Project