About Centric Place.

Racheal Allen is a Lean Six Sigma certified operations expert with twenty years of experience. In 2019, she created Operations School, a nonprofit with a mission to train, empower and equip BIPOC startup and nonprofit leaders with the skills to successfully manage and scale their organizations leveraging systems, automation and delegation strategies. As CEO of OPSIDIA, Racheal leads a diverse team that empowers organizations to build capacity via program design and fractional operations support. Racheal is also co-founder of Centric Place, a first of its kind incubation space for Black arts, culture and entrepreneurship.

Recent recognition includes being named Small Business Hero of the Year by Connect313, a Young American Leader at Harvard Business School, Oakland County’s 40 Under Forty, DBusiness’ 30 in Their Thirties, Crain’s Detroit Business’ 40 Under Forty, Great Expectations Award by the Detroit NAACP Branch and Notable Black Business Leaders by Crain’s Detroit Business. She is also the author of “Get Your Business Legit: A Guide to Starting, Launching and Scaling Your Startup”.

Gerrard "G." Allen is a seasoned educator, community leader, and Edpreneur with over 15 years of experience dedicated to empowering Black teens and promoting equity through education and community development. Holding a Masters degree in Education from the University of Michigan and a Bachelors degree in Communications from Eastern Michigan University, Gerrard has served in impactful roles such as Senior Lead English Teacher, Study Abroad Coordinator, College Advisor, and Dean of Culture in Detroit, Michigan. His global perspective, shaped by his work as a Foreign English Teacher in Beijing, China, enriches his ability to connect with diverse communities and inspire meaningful change.

Currently, Gerrard is the Director of Enrichment at Downtown Boxing Gym as well as a University Supervisor at Wayne State University, mentoring the next generation of student leaders and educators. Driven by his mission to empower Black teens, he creates real-world experiences that help youth embrace opportunities, overcome challenges, and build paths to success. As the co-founder ofCentric Place a hub for arts, culture, and entrepreneurship, and Executive Director of Curators of Black Excellence 501c3, Gerrard merges education and entrepreneurship to drive positive change. His work bridges social capital and leadership to inspire the next generation, equipping them with the tools to navigate life with purpose and resilience.