Asiaha Butler

Asiaha Butler is a longtime resident of Englewood and cofounder and CEO of the Resident Association of Greater Englewood (R.A.G.E.), in Chicago. R.A.G.E. offers education, youth development, economic development, and civic empowerment to uplift, inspire, and change perceptions of her neighborhood. R.A.G.E. was at the forefront of pushing for discussion about repurposing schools closed in 2013. Butler also organized walk-throughs of vacant school buildings with community members, elected officials, city planners, and potential developers to showcase the potential of the facilities and share Englewood’s vision for rebirth which helped launch CPS School Repurposing Committee. As a leader in economic justice, Butler chaired the Englewood Quality of Life Housing and Public Spaces Task Force, created the Buy the Block Homeownership Program, and also founded a local housing development company. Under Butler’s leadership, she launched the R.A.G.E. Economic Upliftment Program (The Re-Up), which is laser focused on commercial and residential real estate development, homeownership, and developing innovative strategies to help create pathways to generational wealth. Among other community roles, she was a founding member of the Greater Englewood Community Development Corp., helped develop a comprehensive educational plan for local schools, and engaged residents in plans grounded in community planning and development.