Beyond the Title: 12 Questions with Ajamou Butler
Ajamou Butler
Founder, Heal the Hood Worldwide
Born and raised in Milwaukee's notorious 53206 zip code, Brother Ajamou Butler has always turned his pain into progress. Growing up amid poverty, his experiences shaped his outlook on life. In 2012, he founded Heal the Hood MKE, a nonprofit dedicated to combating social injustice and rewriting Milwaukee's inner-city narrative. The organization has two main initiatives: Annual Block Parties/Outreach Fairs and the “We are Not Poets, We Are Messengers!” workshop series. Ajamou combines his life as a Black man, spirituality, and spoken word ministry to create unique workshops. An international educator, 7-time self-published author, father, community activist, and believer, he lives by the motto, “Heal the Hearts, Heal the Homes, Heal the Hoods!”
01Built to Last starts with a strong foundation. What is the foundation your leadership is built on, and how do you return to it when things get shaky?
The foundation of my leadership style is built on authenticity, collaboration and meeting the community exactly where they are at. When things get shaky and start heating hard, we hit back and we hit harder. When things get shaky, we lean on our Community partners to help navigate difficulties. When things get shaky, we empower/educate/equip community members to be the problem solvers.
02Where do you come from, and how do your roots keep you steady when leadership gets hard?
I come from the trenches of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, born and raised. There is a certain level of creativity and skills necessary in order to surviving Milwaukee's streets. Being from Milwaukee has bred in me the ability to make a way when there seems to be no way. It has given me a sense of grit and fire in my belly to keep pushing forward when times get hard. Jay-Z once rapped about hustling out of hopelessness and desperation, out of having nothing left to lose. That line has always stuck with me: I offer the game my life.
03What's a piece of advice that has stood the test of time for you, the kind you still come back to years later?
“No one person can do everything but everyone can do something.
A good leader is a great follower.”
04What's a book, quote, lyric, or scripture that has stayed with you and shaped how you lead or live?
Revolutionary Suicide by Huey P. Newton.
Why Should White Guys Have All the Fun by Reginald Lewis.
The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander.
These are three out of many literatures that have helped to shape my leadership style.
05What's something you've had to rebuild after it broke or fell apart, and what did that teach you about building things that last?
My confidence, my identity and my courage are things that I've had to rebuild, multiple times, after things in my life fell apart. What the process of continual rebuilding has taught me is that God has never forgotten or forsaken me, my family is my everything and Milwaukee, WI really does LOVE, value and support Ajamou Butler, not just love, value and support Brotha Heal the Hood.
06What's one question every leader should ask if they want to build something that outlasts them, and why?
“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
Every leader should ask themselves, “Am I trying to go fast or far?!”
07Who are you actively preparing to carry this work forward, and what are you doing to set them up to succeed without you?
Jessica Butler, Jamila Carney, Tomira White, Ashley Harrell and Stephanie Ortiz. Together, we all make up the new and improved Heal the Hood MKE / Heal the Hood Worldwide. Through hands-on leadership training and cultivating a culture of boots-on-the-ground activation, prayerfully the above mentioned names will take this movement further than I ever could have.
We are also looking to launch a Heal the Hood Youth Council in 2027. That will also help us build systems and build individuals who can carry the work forward.
08When leadership feels heavy, what do you turn to (music, travel, culture, faith) that restores you and keeps you feeling like yourself?
Music, working out, martial arts, napping and more napping (lol). I'm also learning to do better at delegating responsibilities to the team so that I'm not so overwhelmed.
09When you think about the legacy you want to leave, what do you hope still stands long after you've moved on?
I pray the world never forgets the motto: Heal the Hearts, Heal the Homes, Heal the Hoods! Along with never forgetting our 3-step value system, I pray that people never forget the sincerity of my heart and the hard work of my hands! This year, we celebrated 14 years in operation. I pray that this thing lasts for more than 140 years after I am dead and gone.
10What's a small daily habit or discipline that has compounded into something meaningful over time?
My workout routine has helped me tremendously with navigating mental health challenges. Intentionally thanking God throughout the day has been a great habit as well. I've also developed, and I am working to continuously develop, a habit of listening to podcasts, documentaries, lectures and sermons while I am in the car instead of listening to music.
11What's a moment in your life where the music playing in the background ended up meaning more than you expected, a song that showed up right when you needed it, or made an ordinary moment stick with you?
I can't necessarily pick one particular moment, but on my journey to navigate and overcome my mental health challenges, music is a huge tool I use consistently to help me express myself, to help me find the clarity on what I am feeling, and to feed me some motivation.
12What's a tradition in your life or family that you hope lasts for generations?
Prayer.
Laughing with my family until our stomachs hurt.
Three-way phone calls with my only siblings (one older sister and one younger sister) that last 60+ minutes.