Tony Allen, a graduate of William Penn High School, is presently the President of Delaware State University. Allen, a former speechwriter for President Joe Biden, also served as head of the Commander in Chief’s Inaugural Committee. In other positions of leadership, Allen successfully served as the founding president of the Metropolitan Wilmington Urban League and was the co-founder of Public Allies Delaware and a top executive for Bank of America. Allen credits his years at William Penn as preparing him for his stellar career in the public and private sectors.
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WE Celebrate: Polktown
This African American community was located in Delaware City near the foot of the Reedy Point Bridge. Polktown was one of the earliest free black settlements in Delaware. It included a church, school, and many residences. Polktown land ownership was controlled by...
We Honor: African Union Church Cemetery
Located in Delaware City along the Mike Castle Trail, a half-acre of land was purchased by five trustees of the African Union Church in 1835 for $80 where a church, now razed, was built with only the cemetery remaining. The church and cemetery served residents of...
We Celebrate – Eugene Petty
Eugene Petty, a resident of Buttonwood, became the first African American Police Chief for the city of New Castle in 1975. In 1963 Petty began his career with the city as a part-time officer with the New Castle City Police (NCCPD), becoming a full-time officer in...