Devord J. Allen

So nice to meet you! First off, what’s your name? Tell our readers a bit about yourself: where you’re from originally and where you live now.

Devord J. Allen. Originally born in Chicago, Illinois, and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Tell us one thing you love about where you live now.

The diversity of the Twin Cities.

Tell us a little more about what your company does and how it started. How does it help your customers?

Breaking Barriers Inc. is a community-based organization focused on helping overcome barriers that can make it difficult to access healthcare, resources, education, and other services that support overall wellness. The idea behind Breaking Barriers Inc. really came from seeing firsthand how difficult systems can be for people who need help the most. Sometimes the issue isn't that resources don't exist; it's that people don't know where to find them, don't understand how to navigate the system, or have had experiences that caused them to lose trust in the system. That's where our philosophy, "Nothing About Us Without Us," comes from. We believe the people of the communities being served should have a voice in the services, resources, and solutions that affect their lives. Our Community Health Workers help bridge that gap.

If someone wants to start a business, what advice would you give them?

Find something you are passionate about, ensure you can identify the need for that service, and solve the problems.

What is one piece of feedback from a happy customer or client that you won't forget?

Our clients trust in our organization. Clients have shared how we have supported them in removing barriers to quality of life. The greatest feedback is: "Thank you, a weight has been lifted off of me."

Where do you see your company in the future?

I see Breaking Barriers Inc. growing into an organization that is recognized not only for providing services, but for truly changing how underserved communities connect with healthcare and resources. I see us creating more opportunities for Community Health Workers to be directly involved in the communities that they come from. I don't measure the company by how large we become; I measure its success by the impact we make.

What is the biggest misconception about your industry?

That the service industry is about doing something for someone, or simply providing resources. To me, Community Health Work isn't about doing everything for someone. It's about giving people the knowledge, support, tools, and confidence to better navigate these systems and advocate for themselves. "A Real Hand Up and Not Just a Handout."

What has been one of your biggest struggles building your business, and how did you deal with it?

One of our biggest struggles in building Breaking Barriers Inc. has been turning a strong vision into a sustainable business while staying true to why we started in the first place. When you're building something from the ground up, you're really dealing with funding, developing partnerships, building credibility, navigating different systems, and getting people to understand the value of Community Health Workers and the work we do. We've learned every "no" doesn't mean stop; it may mean we need a different approach, a stronger partnership, or more time. For us, the goal has always been to grow responsibly without losing the human connection and community trust that Breaking Barriers was built on.

What was your favorite music artist and athlete growing up?

Prince and Muhammad Ali.

Any shoutouts you want to make?

Shout out to Pathways to Freedom.

Where can our readers learn more about you and your company?

www.bbinc.net