House Resolution 614
By: Representatives Scott of the 76th, Davis of the 87th, and Schofield of the 63rd
A RESOLUTION
Honoring the life and memory of Lecester "Bill" Allen; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS, the State of Georgia mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished citizens
with the passing of Lecester "Bill" Allen; and
WHEREAS, after graduating from Wayne State University, Bill began his career as a teacher
in the Detroit Public School System, made his first real estate investment, and later started
a daycare business with his wife, Mattie, which expanded to 14 locations; and
WHEREAS, by 1984, Bill and Mattie Allen extended their business to K-12th grade private
schools at the request of parents and students, graduating their first high school class in 1988
and converting four schools into charter schools by 1994; and
WHEREAS, in 1999, the Allens expanded their school and real estate holdings across the
United States, serving over 12,000 students at 30 locations in more than 20 cities and seven
states through both their for-profit and 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations; and
WHEREAS, in the pursuit of supporting minority- and women-owned businesses, the Allens
created the Allen Entrepreneurial Institute (AEI) at Camp Exposure, a 150-acre complex in
Stonecrest, Georgia, featuring a state-of-the-art conference center, private hotel/dormitory,
and a five-story antebellum mansion/conference center named Miss Rebecca's House; and
WHEREAS, since its inception in 2001, AEI has educated over 10,000 K-12 students and
young adult entrepreneurs from across the globe, including local K-12 school groups, over
30 Historical Black Colleges & Universities, and entrepreneurs from more than 20 African
countries; and
WHEREAS, in 2017, as an extension of the AEI, the Allens established the AEI StartUp
Factory, a co-working and event space adjacent to the Mall at Stonecrest; and
WHEREAS, Lecester "Bill" Allen possessed the vast wisdom which only comes through
experience and the strength of character which is achieved by overcoming the many
challenges of life; and
WHEREAS, a compassionate and generous man, Lecester "Bill" Allen will long be
remembered for his love of family, friendship, and community and will be missed by all who
had the great fortune of knowing him.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that
the members of this body join in honoring the life and memory of Lecester "Bill" Allen and
express their deepest and most sincere regret at his passing.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized
and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to the
family of Lecester "Bill" Allen.