Allison James-Frison is a dedicated community leader, nonprofit founder, and advocate for youth empowerment who embodies the resilient spirit of Newark, New Jersey. Raised in the Stella Wright Housing Projects, she overcame early experiences of loss, violence, and homelessness to build a life of service and impact.

In 2009, Allison founded Girls; Live, Love, Laugh, Inc. (GLLL), a nonprofit organization committed to providing mentorship and positive development opportunities for girls in Newark. Under her leadership, GLLL has mentored more than 2,000 girls, with 89% of participants pursuing higher education. Her work has been recognized at the community, city, and state levels, earning her a Humanitarian Award and two official proclamations from Mayor Ras J. Baraka designating September 14 as Allison James Day and September 15 as Girls; Live, Love, Laugh, Inc. Day in the City of Newark.

Allison also served as Vice President of the Newark Board of Education, is an Investigator with Child Protective Services, a Deaconess at her church, and a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, and Gamma Phi Delta Sorority, Incorporated. Allison also served as a Newark, NJ Commissioner on The Status of Women for six years. 

At 49, she achieved a personal milestone as a first-generation college graduate out of seven siblings. She is married to Andre Frison and is the proud mother of Rashanna James-Frison.