[7] The initiation of Allen's photography career coincided with the establishment of the New Deal, and she became one of the leading photographic contributors for black newspapers and black-oriented foundations.
[8] Like acclaimed contemporary James Van Der Zee, Allen's sought to "advance the race" through her work.
[9] Her documentation of birthday parties, weddings, club celebrations, as well as a variety of other social occasions brought further attention to the realities of Harlem society.
The only photographs that have been published are courtesy of Jeanne Moutoussamy-Ashe, who visited Allen at her studio to conduct an interview.
[11] However, her location within the Harlem community has also commonly invoked a connection between her work and that of James Van Der Zee.