Property of Englewood - Only the Strong Survives!

Now don't think I forgot about my precious blog and the folks who actually read it....There are so many initiatives, efforts, collaborations, projects, etc., happening in my beloved neighborhood, I don't know if I am going or coming sometimes...February and March has been filled with great things to report, but when you are in the thick of the action, its hard to stop and write it all up...I may have to start doing a few videos to report quickly about the good things happening in Englewood.....

As I shared in my previous post, there is such a focus on Englewood and just some great momentum around transforming the community to truly make it a Greater Englewood...Ok where do I want to start???

These past few weeks have been occupied with powerful energy, great people, idea exchanges, productive conversations filled with laughter and it’s all wrapped around HOPE & TRANSFORMATION!! Being able to think out the box to explore all these possibilities is invigorating! Since its been a while, since my last post, let me categorize all the progress that is being made...

On the Education Front

Latesha Dickerson and myself at the
Englewood Parent Empowerment Summit in January

Even with all the changes happening at CPS, the Englewood Community Action Council is still in tact and mobilizing resources and people  to help steer with the Educational Strategic Plan into ACTION...Which you all know is where I get super excited...I love the action part! We have hosted over 20 parent workshops all throughout Englewood and recently hosted a beautiful breakfast meeting catered by the students of Harper Culinary program! Oh yes Harper has a full kitchen and cafe with young chefs holding it down!! What a great experience spearheaded by my fearless co-leader Tesha Dickerson...We are oh so ready to implement many of the goals set forth in this plan so stay tuned to more great news happening this year! Here is a video where I am talking more about the work of the Englewood CAC on Ald. Pat Dowell show...


R.A.G.E News!
R.A.G.E. is moving and shaking as always and learning we are a FORCE to be reckoned with....We've been busy connecting with new residents, recruiting more members, building relationships with various elected officials, at the forefront of the Green Healthy Neighborhood Project and much more!

Photo Courtesy of LISC

R.A.G.E. Student Club Performing at
Wentworth Elementary Fade the Black History Program in February

One our youngest student club member

R.A.G.E. Student Club Members

One of our successes this year was the launch of our student club at Wentworth Elementary....This has been a great experience connecting and partnering with this school...Our goal with these students is to produce junior R.A.G.E. members who will exemplify leadership, team-building and strong character skills. These students are witty, creative and just a joy to work with...and yes R.A.G.E. makes this happens with our own resources...We even had the opportunity to plan and host Wentworth's "Fade to Black History" program which featured a Revolutionary fashion show, spoken word, and a dynamic performance from the student club, see photo above!! I am loving every bit of this experience and can't wait until Track E vacation is over so we can start back with more fun-filled activities!!

Englewood was also fortunate to have the street where Wentworth is located (69th & Sangamon) named after the comedian and Englewood native, Bernie Mac...What a proud day to be Englewoodian....If that's even a word...LOL!

Photo courtesy of Ernest Sanders GAGDC
from the Englewood Portal

Greater Englewood CDC
Another success which was an outgrowth from R.A.G.E. Economic Development Work group is the newly created Greater Englewood CDC....This CDC will be the catalyst for economic development...I know what you are thinking...Another organization?? Yes and I am proud to be one of the founding members...Through this process I am learning and understanding so much more about community development, land use, housing, economic strategies, workforce development, etc...Now things are really starting to cook! Stay tuned for more!!

In other Englewood News
There seems to a be a lot of talk of collaboration, alliances, coalitions or just a more strategic attempt in general to connect with one another with the goal to transform Englewood for the better...Which is a good thing, I just hope its not driven by funders or other hidden agendas...Many of these initiatives are focused on the elements of violence  and safety in the neighborhood...Now, don't get me wrong, I hear the stories and know that violence is definitely a hot topic in the news these days...It's sensationalized, sparks fear and will always spark an RE-ACTION from people...Folks are just getting fed up and frankly tired of trying to do this work alone in silos...This includes the Mayor's Office, Social Agencies, Churches, police, schools, residents, etc...

Then to couple that with the national news of Trayvon Martin and a recent shooting of an Rekia Boyd...Folks are on edge and have R.A.G.E. for real!! But honestly, the revolution I am seeing is more of a virtual revolution...Social Media sites are the main platforms for expression, photos, campaigns, petitions, etc...Now, its not that I do not have an opinion about these unfortunate events, but I just can't be consumed in it...The injustices will make me angry and a sense of hopelessness will soon follow...So I choose to focus on the things that EMPOWER me, CHALLENGES me to be better and ENLIGHTENS me...These things keep my spirits high, soul smiling and motivated to reach new heights!  We must be careful of the things we let consume our hearts and minds!

So to conclude, I will like to share a few upcoming Englewood events happening in the next few days...

Green Healthy Neighborhood Recap Session - Saturday, March 31st - 9am-12pm
University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration 969 E. 60th St.
This meeting will be in collaboration with the 3rd Annual Woodlawn Summit, where CMAP will host a break out session on the current status of the GHN Plan.


Englewood Town Hall Meeting - Saturday, March 31st - 11am-2pm
Imagine Englewood If - 730 W. 69th St.
Youth, community leaders, pastors, state and local officials, as well as residents are urged to create an Action Plan to combat neighborhood violence.

Englewood Community Action Council - Thursday, April 5th - 6pm-8pm
Location: TBD
Open to all Englewood Parents, Community Leaders, Educators or Students who is concerned about the education & schools in the community. Email contact Brenda Bell at 773-553-1538 or bjbell1@cps.k12.il.us

You can also check out R.A.G.E. calendar for upcoming events here: www.ragenglewood.org/events

I thinks that's all I have for now, hope you enjoyed reading the post! Until next time, stay encouraged because we must continue to BUILD then BUILD AGAIN in order to TAKE ACTION to CREATE the life we truly desire.....

Englewood - "The Corporation"

Here we go again....Of course my beloved neighborhood is the headline of so many newspapers, blogs, youtube videos and as quiet as kept even with all the negative publicity our neighborhood is one of the biggest corporations in the city.  

You know the area as a crime infested, poverty stricken war zone….Well I call this place home and even as the headlines hit the news I am still keeping my head up high with the vision of transforming this place for the better…Of course I cannot do this alone and I am not even going to try to attempt that…But I can keep letting my voice be heard in order to tell another story….

Over the last six months Englewood has probably been mentioned over 100 times in the news…We recently had a horrible shooting 1 block from my house at Church’s chicken, Englewood was recently labeled as one of the most dangerous areas in the city who had an increase in murders….while the rest of the city murder rates decreased….Ok that doesn't add up to me but let's keep moving

Courtesy of Aysha Butler at Church's Chicken

What kills me about all these reports is the fact that soooooo many people are eating and making a living simply off of our degradation.  The stats show we have the highest unemployment rates, but there are over 100,000 people working for "Englewood-The Corporation"…So I ask....Who works for this Corporation?  The Pastors, Social Agencies, Non-For-Profits, the Police??  It damn sure isn’t the residents or our youth…Just read the stats....

If the youth and residents are not employed, why would folks expect them to care about valuing our community or life for that matter? None of these Employees of Englewood - "The Corporation" who are getting paid the big bucks value it, so why would the people/customers of this corporation care??

Although we are viewed as one of the most violent areas of the city, our neighborhood is safe enough for 300 churches, over 100 agencies, additional charter schools, and even a city college…Our schools are failing but there are over 500 Non-for-profits “servicing” our students and families??? Come on now....This is NOT adding up! Now the mayor wants to bring 100 new cops on board to "Englewood-The Corporation"…Which everyone knows this will only increase the arrest rates of young people and pissed off the criminals even more…It will truly be a war zone if these rookie cops are not strategic and come around harassing these fools who can careless about being locked up or dead…

When will this corporation failed like Enron? When would public and private investors folks start pulling out there "stocks" in the corporation and really invest in the people who are truly working for CHANGE?  Our neighborhood imperfections has  become the key money makers that feed many of the families of Beverly, Auburn Gresham, Oak Lawn, River Forest, Hyde Park, Lincoln Park and whole bunch of others…

We are only a month into 2012 and already we have had proposed schools actions, over 5 people killed, a ward remap war (see above), some paid protestors running around town, and a new commander who quietly slipped in at the 7^th district.  So yes things are messy....

Courtesy of Chicago Tribune 7th District Commander Leo Schmitz

However, in the midst of this mess, the Englewood Community Action Council (which I C0-Chair with resident/educator Tesha Dickerson) hosted an emotional yet inspiring story circle with the teachers, students and parents of Stagg elementary school which was graciously facilitated by Naomi Davis, we hosted an Englewood Education Empowerment Summit for parents...

Englewood Education Empowerment Summit

Englewood Education Empowerment Summit

I facilitated a Docs & Dialogue session showcasing "A War For Your Soul" with Sister’s Peak an all-girl mentor group at D.S. Wentworth Elementary School that includes mentors such as Robin Robinson and other prominent women....

RAGE hosted our public meeting to brainstorm and discuss a resident driven neighborhood safety plan, I recently served as a panelist with Senator Mattie Hunter and other stakeholders to discuss an action plan to also address the issues in Englewood and attended a host of other uplifting events.  These are the types of things that keep me moving and keep my head held high…Not this nonsense corporate B.S....

R.A.G.E Members Alieon Brooks, President Aysha Butler and Michael Johnson
Photo Courtesy of WBEZ - Chicago Public Radio

Our association R.A.G.E. continues to work hard for positive change, regardless of what happens here....So when I hear folks trying to critic the work of R.A.G.E, I just laughed because we are not paid or hired by "Englewood-The Corporation" and do not have to justify any of our efforts to anyone...We had a fabulous year in 2011 and is diligently working to get more residents involved in our movement....I am asking all my readers and blog followers, to not let the news reports think that Peace, Harmony, Cooperation, and Love is absent from Englewood....because it's not....

R.A.G.E Holiday Party

R.A.G.E Holiday Party

R.A.G.E Holiday Party

R.A.G.E Holiday Party

Black Star Community PTA
Say it Loud I Read and I'm Proud

Black Star Community PTA
Say it Loud I Read and I'm Proud

Black Star Community PTA
Say it Loud I Read and I'm Proud

Englewood Community Cultural Planning Council
Englewood Arts Festival

Wentworth Elementary School

Englewood Education Empowerment Summit

Englewood Education Empowerment Summit

Englewood Education Empowerment Summit

Unfortunately these stories are not as sensational or sexy as a murder on one of the blocks, but I am here to tell you PEACE is PRESENT! You will definitely hear more GREAT things from R.A.G.E., the Englewood Community Action Council, Englewood Community Cultural Planning Council, the Kusanya Cafe, collaborations and alliances with the other resident groups in the various wards and much much more....Just wait and see....I promise you more of these stories from Englewood will be heard loud & clear! Stay on the lookout & as always TAKE ACTION to CREATE the life you truly desire!!!
 

SOS - State of Emergency in Englewood!!

Ok, so now things are getting heavy.  As you I am strong believer that we all have to create the world we want to live in…I have taken the liberty to take on the challenge of changing perceptions and attitudes towards my neighborhood.  I have taken on the challenge to serve in many leadership roles, various councils, boards, taskforces, committees, etc.  I have taken on the challenge to work towards justice for the Englewood residents being displaced by Norfolk Southern Railroad.  I have taken on the challenge to be a sound voice coming from a neighborhood that most take advantage of....All of these efforts are to empower the powerless and connect the unconnected!

These challenges have been stepping stones to thinking strategically, learning the art of empowerment, becoming a master of organizing structures, people and processes.  As you know folks always want you to fit in a box, so of course I have been labeled as this “community organizer” (so boring in my opinion), or better yet a “community activist” (really? what am I really fighting for?)

Now, there is one label that I take with great pride in hearing and that's "Community Leader!" When I looked up the definition of Leader, it read: 1.  a person or thing that leads. (simple enough) 2. a guiding or directing head, as of an army, movement, or political group.

I am particularly like the 2nd definition....A guiding head of a movement!  Honestly, being coined as a "Leader" in any context works for me, because this is a role that few can master…As I am creating a pathway for rebranding and revitalizing the image and culture of Greater Englewood, I see why so many attempts have failed or why vital projects remain idle.


The leadership of Englewood has its own internal power struggles in addition to the some of the challenges our elected officials have with one another, which has truly prevented some real progress.  Very few groups, agencies, elected officials, etc. is practicing the art of empowerment.  I find that giving individual tools to express themselves and become leaders in their own right is the key to being a GREAT leader. As I do this work I am learning the true dynamics of this difficult challenge...People fail because they are not grasping the fact that true leadership has absolutely nothing to do with POWER and all to do with the ability to EMPOWER!


That is why I am utterly in love with the Resident Association of Greater Englewood...infamously known as R.A.G.E…We respect, trust and empower one another. We compliment and recognize our gifts within and then share those gifts with the community at large…How empowering is that? Just recently, our Education & Youth Development Workgroup connected with the students of Wentworth Elementary for a Docs & Dialogue session then a town hall that focused on safety, learning environments and bullying.  Our economic development work group is finding ways to support some of the businesses in the community in order to establish better resident/business connections.  So as we build this Englewood Enterprise, or Empire if you will…These are the type of leaders we need to carry out the task! 

As residents, we have to reclaim our community and think of its current state as an almost an emergency site that needs our immediate attention....It's like we had our own Hurricane Katrina that has wipe us out and now we are like a designated disaster zone that needs strong collaborative support from all key stakeholders.  We have to be our own RED CROSS or EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM...So, for all my blog readers and for the folks who work, live, eat, breathe and sleep here we need to respond accordingly to the SOS call to REBUILD & INVEST IN THE ENGLEWOOD NEIGHBORHOOD…It's a CODE-RED for real!

Over the last month as things continue to heat up, we are finding that more folks have RAGE! Now we are faced with "proposed" School Actions (Guggenheim slated to be closed, and Stagg slated to go through a “turnaround”process...Really?)  Side note: If we want to speak on a turnaround, we need to look at the entire Education System of the nation, then locally at CPS!  I will reframe from saying anything else on that topic, however, you have to check out the video below which was captured during the last Board of Education Meeting....It was Occupy Chicago -  The Board of Education Edition!! And honestly, I am not upset with this rebellious cause because we do need to REBUILD OUR SCHOOLS! FOR THE BETTERMENT OF OUR STUDENTS! In my opinion, it would be better if more parents and community members could "Occupy our Schools" before these actions are even proposed. That way if students are under performing, we can work to develop our own community driven "turnaround" plan that does not require any outside contracts!

A few weeks ago the Englewood Community Action scheduled a special meeting and I must say it was exciting to hear and see folks committed to collaborate around these educational issues in Englewood.  We are working on solidifying an effective action plan that will support these families, teachers and staff through this crisis and beyond...Stay tuned for more details about these efforts!



Ok in other areas of the "Englewood Disaster Zone"....We got Norfolk Railroad still harassing residents to sell their properties and knocking down the homes for some intermodal freight yard, there is a remapping war that can potential decrease the number of black wards which could ultimately decrease the wards in Greater Englewood, this is reflective of the lost of black population in Chicago...Side note again: Englewood still doesn’t have that “satellite ward office” which we were promised during election time back in February, but let’s move on….

Another trend I am observing is all the homes being knocked down left and right specifically in my block radius, which I have mixed emotions about..I am wondering to myself...
Is this the set-up for others to rebuild? Or is this an opportunity to start on a clean slate for some new developments?  It’s quite interesting to see these changes happening, so I am sitting tight and just observing the process...As I continue to plan with my dream team of residents and stakeholders, we are hard at work, researching and learning as much as we can in order to create our own vision of what we would like to see in the Greater Englewood neighborhood…If we don't this designated "disaster" area will be rescued by the wrong folks who I am sure does not have the best interest of the community at hand....

Huge vacant lot at 65th & Union

Instead of complaining about Englewood problems we have to start having those discussions about what it can be or we will loose this valuable landscape of the city...I envision my neighborhood becoming GREAT, which inspires me to keep pressing on to make the necessary adjustments to see Englewood vibrant again...We just have to be patience and continue on our pathway of small victories block by block! As long as we keep focused and dedicated, I am confident that 2012 will be the year of connecting true leaders with common goals to REBRAND, REBUILD, and REVITALIZE this GREAT neighborhood...I'll leave it at that for now...

Until next time, TAKE ACTION to CREATE the COMMUNITY you wish to see and truly desire!! Happy Holidays and stay tuned for more exciting & positive news coming from Englewood in the New Year...2012 will be Englewood's year to shine bright, watch & see!!

Generation X, Y, & Z - Community Leaders of the New School?

If anyone is really reading this blog, you might start to see an increase of my entries...Yes, I have a facebook, twitter, linkedin, youtube channel, and of course my beloved blog, but because we have so many mediums of social media it's really becoming like the physical world...Whereas you adjust your personality depending on the situation...For example when I am dealing with my daughter school, my personality turns to "Engaged Parent"...At work I am that "Dependable Co-Worker", in the community I am the "Community Leader/Organizer"...This kinda rings true for the all these different social networking sites...On each site, you may get a different side of Aysha, Ay-Sha or Asiaha Butler depending on how we are connected...But as far as my personal blog you will get all of ME!!

This is a space that I feel is more of an open dumping ground that I can free my thoughts and let loose although millions (yet right) can read this! I guess I decided to be a open book in some aspects...At least when it come to my neighborhood and community activities! And yes I proudly say my neighborhood, because I was deliberate in my intentions when I said I want to created an sense of neighborhood in Englewood that would revealed the intelligent, funny, creative, determined individuals who also has a different vision on what Greater Englewood can become...A few years I was exploring the community, meeting people and building relationships.  I was confident that it was some folks in Greater Englewood with similar perspectives, who are dedicated to building community, case in point RAGE.

Now, what I didn't prepare for was all the dynamic projects and opportunities that will come from building community...Everyone has a passion, a mission if you will that is all tied into one single and simple concept, building community.  I don't want to deter my 55+ blog followers (yeah right, like they follow me) but I think I am seeing a shift in the age range of community leaders...We are in our 20's, 30's and 40's and a bit aggressive when we are passionate about an important cause...You must remember this is a generation who grew up on MTV, Hip Hop, Reality Shows, etc....So yes our approach is a little in your face!

So to my generation and younger, RAGE is just a cool name while our older generation may see it as too much or too bold...Oh well, I was raised on Hip Hop...That's my excuse!! We are a bold, edgy, direct, smart, dedicated, professional generation and we move a little differently from our elders before us. 

I say this because I am seeing a generational gap when it comes to many of our community leaders and seeing why some things are moving at a certain pace...The upside to the concept is that Gen Y, X, Z are now stepping up to table and ready to work for change!  We have the "Occupy the Hood" movement growing, and I am noticing more movements developing throughout many of our communities not just Englewood...

Now of course Englewood is my foundation so I want to build here then branch into other communities and build with other young, vibrant community leaders...We probably have a much greater challenge in re-branding Greater Englewood and honestly I may not see huge changes in my lifetime, but I am determined that my grandchildren will!  They will be the ones who will organize and get a street or school name after me...So I am in this fight for the long haul...and why not? I was raised here, live here now and see how my passion for RE-BRANDING Englewood can be utilized to the fullest potential!


This past month, has been busier than most, conference calls almost daily and even Sundays are not off limits! But they are all for the greater good of the community...Its either related to Education, Economic Development, Civic Empowerment, cultural activities with the youth and so on...Then on top of that new issues popping up through Englewood, like I wrote about on my previous post...The Norfolk Rail yard expansion which is basically a project that will be turning a pocket of Englewood to a complete DEAD ZONE! Now some may argue, Englewood is already a dead zone, but I beg to differ....It is very LIVELY and there is never a dull moment in this neighborhood!! Even if there may be a pocket that will be just a freight yard there are still residents living and breathing the life of Englewood everyday...Folks who are the products of Englewood, are strong, fiesty and refused to be pushed over!! Check out this design that my husband created for t-shirts, hoodies, etc.!! Only the STRONG survive and that's real!!

Here are two videos about the Norfolk expansion I did with Marc Sims explaining more about the project:












Anyway as you can see things are happening and happening rather quickly, Englewood residents was recently given a survey about the use of the post office and how the two post offices in Englewood may be close for any retail activity....There was a "public meeting" about 75-100 attendees that listen to the staff of the Post Office explain to us that the revenue is down due to the advancement of technology...Ok I get that, but there is a only about 40% of the individuals who live here has access to the Internet...The seniors use many of the services at the post offices and they are not handling their business online like my generation, so of course that was some garbage...

Then we hear from the City of Chicago that our libraries may closed and staff/hours will be reduced...Oh yeah let's not forget that the recent guidelines from CPS was just release which means we may also have some schools closing soon....Come on now?!? 

Kelly Library Courtesy of Chicago Public Library

One a positive note, there are some exciting things happening like the Green Healthy Land Use initiative with CMAP and the city...Stay tuned for more info regarding this! 

Don't get me wrong the community has RAGE, but because there is so MUCH happening these issues demand an alliance or coalition to handle them more efficiently...If folks can't put down their egos and work together to strategically address these issues, we will never achieve CHANGE...You can Occupy the Hood, the southside or wherever else but you must join forces with others to tackle many of these things...

RAGE is definitely an action oriented group but we are also professionals who have day jobs...So we can't handle EVERYTHING...It is definitely enough population left in Greater Englewood to build a strong and mighty alliance...But where do we start when everyone wants to be the leader...Do we create a super team of community leaders!  Folks with true intentions, humble enough to take direction, and able to lead as an expert in their own field of expertise...

Like one of my close team mates said to me the another day...True leaders are not measure by how many followers they have, they are measure by how many leaders that can create...I love that because that is all I every wanted....I didn't want to be the token resident leader who is pulled in 50,000 different directions...I wanted to identify other leaders to recruit and handle this load.

Thankfully I am seeing this happen with RAGE...Residents are able to identify their expertise and lead in that capacity...That is the way we can build community by having everyone contributing their expertise to one common goal...So if speaking publicly is your thing, DO THAT, if research is your passion DO THAT, if organizing is your expertise then DO THAT!!

That way no one is burned out and everyone is doing what they do best! So with that said I will continue doing what I do best and build with others especially these aggressive Gen X,Y, and Z revolutionaries that way I will have my very own personal SUPER TEAM!! Stay tuned for more GREATNESS coming from GREATER ENGLEWOOD, until next time, as always TAKE ACTION to CREATE the life you truly desire!! Peace Aysha~