Nonprofit Leadership Podcast — Episode Summary

Podcast: Nonprofit Leadership Podcast
Host: Dr. Rob Harter
Episode: Guided by a Mission Bigger Than You
Guest: Aisha Butler, Co-Founder & CEO of the Resident Association of Greater Englewood (RAGE)
Date: March 22, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode features an inspiring conversation with Aisha Butler, the co-founder and CEO of RAGE (Resident Association of Greater Englewood). The episode explores Aisha’s journey from wanting to leave her Chicago neighborhood due to crime and neglect, to a transformational moment that inspired her to stay, connect her community, and drive remarkable grassroots change. Dr. Rob Harter and Aisha discuss what it means to lead with purpose, the critical importance of relationships in nonprofit work, community ownership, and sustaining personal wellbeing as a leader.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. A Defining Moment: Choosing Community Over Fear

• Tipping Point: Aisha recounts the powerful moment that led to her commitment to Englewood—seeing a young girl playing in a vacant, glass-strewn lot (04:52).
  • Quote: “It was a little girl playing in the dirt … and to them having a good time, but to me made me say, you know what? I have to do something on my block. This cannot be what our young people think is the norm.” — Aisha (05:28)
• She describes her initial fears, the family’s plans to leave Chicago, and how witnessing life continuing in adversity shifted her mindset.

2. Taking Small Steps, Building Grassroots Momentum

• Initial Action: Aisha began with small, tangible steps on her block—connecting with neighbors, helping young people, and volunteering in community organizations (07:15).
• Leadership Emergence: Her knack for problem-solving propelled her into leading roles in various community initiatives, culminating in forming RAGE.
  • Quote: “I’m usually the problem solver. If I see a disconnect or I see a problem, I just can't take that problem for the problem. I'm always going to figure out the solution.” — Aisha (08:19)
• Founding of RAGE: Realizing a neighborhood association was needed, Aisha helped establish RAGE as a collective space for residents to act together (09:13).

3. The Dollar Lot Fight: Power of Resident-Led Advocacy

• RAGE successfully advocated for the City of Chicago to sell vacant lots for $1 to residents, transforming blight into gardens, gathering places, and community assets (10:37).
• Impact: This initiative empowered residents, built hope, and provided direct, tangible ownership.
  • Quote: “We are the subject matter experts for our community … Over 5,000 vacant land right in our community. No one wants to see this … it has to be a solution.” — Aisha (10:56)
• Example: The very lot where the little girl played became a peaceful oasis via this initiative.

4. Community Development of the Mind: Shifting Internal Narratives

• Concept: Aisha describes “community development of the mind” as essential—transforming residents’ perceptions to instill pride and possibility (13:14).
  • Quote: “Once I shifted, once I saw that little girl, and I shifted my mindset to say, why am I fearful? … Let me look at the beauty of this community. And I went on this journey, and I started volunteering, and I met all these phenomenal people…” — Aisha (13:26)
• Advice to Leaders: Focus on building culture, relationships, the “why” and “spirit” before programs.

5. Relational Focus in a Digital Age

• RAGE’s guiding principle: Connect, Build, Take Action—in that order (16:30).
  • Quote: “We connect first. We take our time, and we do not care how long, but we do intentionally take our time to build relationships … then from those relationship building, if we see an action needs to take place … it feels different.” — Aisha (16:36)
• Porch Life: Cultural practice turned intentional relationship-building—RAGE visits members’ porches, not to run programs but simply to connect (20:04).
  • Quote: “We actually don't talk about any programs. We just meet people where they are. And so many folks are like, I love porch life.” — Aisha (20:45)
• Analog Connectivity: Despite technology, RAGE purposefully fosters human, in-person connection, celebration, and healing (18:32–22:11).

6. Economic Justice & Community Ownership

• Historical Context: The aftereffects of redlining and predatory practices have harmed Englewood. RAGE seeks to “restore” what was lost, focusing on tangible and psychological ownership (23:23).
  • Quote: “A psychological shift happened with the effects of redlining. People are afraid to buy. … So we once again have to do more, really, some cultural shifting and the way people view homeownership.” — Aisha (24:49)
• Buy the Block Initiative: Encourages residents to purchase properties and land, symbolizing agency and contributing to safer, more stable blocks.

7. Scaling Without Losing Authenticity

• RAGE’s growth has been slow and steady, with constant resident involvement to guard against “mission drift” (27:54).
  • Quote: “Our skill up has been slow and steady. … It's been with our members and not for our members. It’s us co-creating together.” — Aisha (28:34)
• Anchoring in “people, passion, power” has helped maintain authenticity, even during high-stakes projects.

8. The Power of Storytelling in Nonprofit Work

• Documenting the Journey: Aisha urges nonprofit leaders to document and reflect regularly, not just for social media but as a tool for organizational memory and growth (31:22).
  • Quote: “Document every step of the way, not just for social media, for your own archive, and then also build in reflection about it.” — Aisha (32:05)
• Celebrating milestones and reflecting on progress has kept their story central and inspiring.

9. Leadership Style & Team Culture

• Leadership Evolution: Aisha naturally gravitated toward organizing from a young age. She leads flexibly, reflectively, and with intentional focus on wellbeing (33:55).
  • Quote: “I had to learn how to really coach and really give space for our staff to actually grow and be themselves. … Work the worker. Always be here. Take time to rest.” — Aisha (35:17)
• Wellbeing Practices: Implements JOY Grants, Fridays off, and routine reflection to cultivate resilience and stave off burnout (36:58).
  • Quote: “Rest breeds the best work. … If you don’t rest, you will have horrible work.” — Aisha (39:51)

10. Preventing Burnout and Embracing Self-Care

• Aisha describes her personal journey with burnout post-COVID and the practices she uses to replenish herself—prayer, reading, solitude, fun, and light activities (37:57–40:22).
• Advice: Integrate self-care into daily habits; continuous reflection and intentional rest are crucial for long-term sustainability in nonprofit leadership.

11. Resources & Staying In Touch

• Connect with RAGE: www.rageenglewood.org (with a single E in the URL)
• Active on all major social channels: “Rage Englewood” or “Mrs. Englewood” (41:20)
• Final Words: “If you could be filled up to the rim to help support them, do that. But if you deplete, you take that time away so that you can refill and also pour into others. And so that’s been my motto and so far, it’s worked for me. I feel good.” — Aisha (42:13)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the turning point:
  “This cannot be what our young people think is the norm.” — Aisha (05:36)

• On grassroots power:
  “We are the subject matter experts for our community.” — Aisha (10:56)

• On mindset shift:
  “Community development of the mind.” — Aisha (13:14)

• On community building:
  “We connect first … and then we take action to try to uplift this community.” — Aisha (16:36)

• On relational innovation:
  “[Porch Life] … we just meet people where they are.” — Aisha (20:45)

• On healing and analog culture:
  “…a world like this … we have just really made an attempt to be as personable, even more personable.” — Aisha (21:10)

• On leadership:
  “If you’re not having fun, you’re in the wrong business.” — Aisha (35:57)

• On self-care:
  “Rest breeds the best work.” — Aisha (39:51)

Key Timestamps

• 04:52—Aisha’s turning point and decision to stay in Englewood
• 07:15—Early steps: Volunteering and organizing
• 10:37—Resident-led advocacy: $1 vacant lot program
• 13:14—“Community development of the mind” and culture shift
• 16:30—RAGE’s relationship-first principle: Connect, Build, Take Action
• 20:04—Porch Life: Building social fabric, analog connection
• 23:23—Economic justice, redlining, and homeownership
• 27:54—Scaling RAGE without losing authenticity
• 31:22—The power of documenting and storytelling
• 33:55—Leadership style, staff care, and fun
• 37:57—Burnout, rest, and intentional self-care
• 41:20—How to connect with RAGE and Aisha

Conclusion

Aisha Butler’s journey illustrates the transformative power of one person’s decision to invest in their community despite challenges. Her relational, reflective, and steady leadership style, emphasis on culture over quick wins, and focus on community ownership offer a potent blueprint for nonprofit leaders everywhere. This episode provides tools, encouragement, and real-world examples for any leader wanting to spark sustainable change, avoid burnout, and remain rooted in mission and community.

For more about RAGE and Aisha’s work, visit www.rageenglewood.org and follow their story on social platforms.