Marva Allen (b. 1955). A transformative leader at the intersection of publishing, technology, and entrepreneurship, notably as the founder and CEO of Wordeee, a pioneering digital literary platform.
Allen occupies a unique position in the global business landscape—her career includes steering multimillion-dollar tech ventures such as USI and receiving acclaim with the IBM & Kodak Excellence Award, Crain’s 40 Under 40, and nomination for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneurship Award.
Recognized as one of the Top 100 Most Influential Women in Michigan, Marva Allen’s enduring legacy is anchored by her transformative ownership of the Hue-Man Bookstore in New York City, a renowned cultural hub advancing Black literature and hosting major public figures. Her expertise and leadership have shaped the publishing world, leaving an indelible mark on emerging authors, creative communities, and the literary ecosystem.
Background and Education
Allen’s academic journey is distinctly interdisciplinary, with a BSN from SGI in England, a B.S. in Biology from the University of Michigan, and an M.S. in Health & Business Administration. Her broad educational foundation enabled her to seamlessly transition between health, business, and technology sectors, ultimately informing her innovative approach to publishing.
Allen’s first entrepreneurial forays began at age 24, setting the tone for a career characterized by trailblazing leadership and distinction across multiple industries.
Career Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Before founding Wordeee, Marva Allen made significant waves as president and co-owner of USI, a multimillion-dollar tech firm, where her leadership earned recognition at the highest levels of business excellence. Throughout her trajectory, Allen has been celebrated for guiding companies to success and delivering visionary change, whether in technology or publishing.
She has also served as a Business School University Professor and regularly lectures on entrepreneurship, sharing her knowledge with aspiring business leaders. Her national influence is felt both as a faculty member at Touro University’s Graduate School of Business and as a sought-after speaker, commentator, and consultant for restructuring entrepreneurial organizations.
Publishing Leadership: Wordeee and Hue-Man
Founded in 2015, Wordeee is Allen’s answer to the evolving needs of authors and readers in a rapidly digitizing literary marketplace. Conceived as a literary hub and social platform, Wordeee combines robust promotional, marketing, and distribution tools to reimagine publishing for an inclusive, connected audience.
Allen‘s focus is democratizing the publishing process and empowering both emerging and established authors by leveraging best-in-class digital technologies and cross-platform integration. The “value chain disruption” Allen advocates is designed to give creative control back to creators and foster diverse, multimedia content.
Allen’s earlier success with the iconic Hue-Man Bookstore further highlighted her deep commitment to cultural and literary advancement. Under her ownership, the bookstore hosted prominent voices—President Bill Clinton, Maya Angelou, Alicia Keys, and more—amplifying the impact of Black literature and serving as a vibrant community center in Harlem until its closure in 2012.
Current Influence and Impact
In addition to her business ventures, Marva Allen remains active in media and academia, contributing book commentary to Arise TV and mentoring the next generation of creators and publishers. Her approach to leadership emphasizes equality, creativity, and fearless authorship—core tenets reflected in the ethos of Wordeee.
Allen regularly shares her thought leadership, teaching at the university level and consulting with organizations seeking innovative restructuring or entrepreneurial growth.
Awards and Recognition
Marva Allen’s career is studded with recognition for both business excellence and cultural impact—including the IBM & Kodak Excellence Awards, Crain’s 40 Under 40, Ernst & Young Entrepreneurship Award nominations, and multiple inclusions among influential women in Michigan. Her status as a serial entrepreneur, author, publisher, and business strategist further cements her role as a “powerhouse” of modern publishing and digital media.