Her Story
About Toni
Toni Allen, professionally known as Poet the God, is a spoken word artist, entrepreneur, creative strategist, and community-minded leader based in Gadsden, Alabama. Through her artistry, creative work, and community involvement, she is committed to inspiring others, creating meaningful connections, and supporting underserved communities. Allen is actively involved in mental health volunteering, youth-focused environments, and community projects throughout Alabama. Through her church, she serves children and families, contributes to the media team, occasionally sings in the choir, and participates in community service initiatives.
Allen has built a diverse professional portfolio that reflects her commitment to creativity, personal growth, and service. She has independently released spoken word music, developed her podcast, The Curve Movement, consistently creates digital content, and has cultivated an audience that extends beyond the United States. As an entrepreneur, she has created three businesses, including a real estate company progressing toward government contracting and 33 Divine, a purpose-driven clothing brand. Her professional development also includes certifications in skilled trades and machine operations, and in 2023 she expanded her technical experience through carpentry technology and machine operations training.
Allen attributes her success to her faith in God, which continues to guide her work, relationships, and personal growth. She values integrity, ownership, discipline, faith, service, growth, and authenticity, and encourages others to keep moving forward even when they are told they are doing too much or should choose only one path. As she continues to pursue opportunities across artistry, professional development, community work, education, and service, Allen recognizes capacity and visibility as ongoing challenges while also seeing opportunities to intentionally connect her diverse experiences. Through strategic partnerships, fellowships, grants, performances, and community initiatives, she remains focused on using her gifts to empower others and create lasting impact.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Toni
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my faith in God, which has provided me with strength, guidance, and perseverance throughout my journey. My faith keeps me grounded, helps me navigate challenges with confidence, and reminds me to remain focused on my purpose while trusting the path ahead.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to keep going, even when others question my direction or suggest that I am doing too much and should choose only one path. I’ve learned that it is important to trust my vision, embrace my strengths and interests, and remain committed to pursuing opportunities that align with my purpose. Staying focused and continuing forward, even when others may not understand my journey, has allowed me to grow both personally and professionally.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering my industry is to trust themselves and not feel pressured to limit their potential to a single path. I have often been told that I am doing too much or that I should choose just one direction, but I have continued to pursue the different areas I feel called to explore. I encourage women to embrace their unique talents, remain open to new opportunities, and confidently build a career that reflects their passions, purpose, and strengths.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges I face right now is capacity, as multiple opportunities continue to emerge across artistry, professional development, community work, continuing education, and service. Visibility is another challenge after years of building experience across these different areas. At the same time, this creates an exciting opportunity to bring those experiences together in a more intentional way. By connecting the different aspects of my work and positioning them strategically, I can pursue meaningful partnerships, grants, fellowships, and performance opportunities that align with my skills, experience, and purpose.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that are most important to me in both my work and personal life are integrity, ownership, discipline, faith, service, growth, and authenticity. I strive to lead with honesty, take responsibility for my actions, remain disciplined in pursuing my goals, and stay grounded in my faith. I also believe in serving others, continually learning and growing, and remaining authentic to who I am and the purpose I am called to fulfill.
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