What is the Communication and Leadership Award?
The Communication and Leadership Award is an honor awarded by District 18 to a leader in the community who has distinguished themselves in the fields of communication and leadership.
What is the criteria for Communication and Leadership Award recipients?
- Recipients must be known community leaders that exemplify our organizational core values; namely Respect, Integrity, Service and Excellence.
- The recipient must personally accept the award.
- The recipient can be a former Toastmaster who has gone on to become successful in business or other fields.
CONGRATULATIONS
2025 C&L Award Recipient – Dr. Tony Allen
Tony Allen, Ph.D.
President, Delaware State University
District 18 ToastmastersDr. Tony Allen is Chief Executive Officer of the nation’s most diverse, contemporary Historically Black College and University: Delaware State University.
Delaware State University is a comprehensive research institution with a $180 million budget, a $50 million endowment, a $30 million research portfolio, and 900 employees in five academic colleges, serving more than 6,000 undergraduates, graduate students, and adult learners in Delaware, online, and internationally in 23 countries.
Tony started his career as speechwriter for then-United States Senator Joseph R. Biden, Jr. In 2020, he was named Chief Executive Officer of the 59th Presidential Inaugural after having served on the Advisory Board of President Biden’s Transition Team. In 2021, he was appointed to the President’s Board of Advisors on Historically Black Colleges and Universities as Chair, a role in which he continues to serve.
Before joining the University, Tony transitioned from speechwriting to a career in Communications within the financial services sector, beginning as Executive Vice President at MBNA America. He then led Communications for Bank of America’s largest divisions, founding and developing the Corporate Reputation group.
Tony has been awarded honors such as the Whitney M. Young Award for Advancing Racial Equality, the National Urban League’s highest honor; the Excellence in Education Award given by the Delaware Barristers Association; and Lifetime Achievement Awards from both the National Urban Fellows and Public Allies.
Founding President of the Metropolitan Wilmington Urban League, Cofounder of Public Allies Delaware, Chair Emeritus of the National Urban Fellows, and a Distinguished Fellow with the National Academy of Public Administration, Tony also serves on the Boards of Graham and Pepco Holdings.
Tony holds a B.A. in Political Science and a Ph.D. in Urban Affairs & Public Policy from the University of Delaware as well as a Master of Public Administration from Baruch College (City University of New York). He is the proud husband of Ms. Tara Allen and father of five fantastic children.
