I’ve been a Youth Correctional Officer at the Vel R. Phillips Juvenile Justice Center for almost 2 years. When I first encountered Mr. Butler here at the center he was positive, confident and respectful coming into a setting like this. His ideas with poetry and his ability to sway a crowd was new to the youth here and they’ve been loving every bit of it. He continues to work week after week with these youth on the power of words and word play to give them a new perspective and outlook on life. I commend Mr Butler for coming to the center to do his part in changing these youth’s lives, 1 by 1.

Ajamou Butler is a gem! I have been in several professional development training sessions with Ajamou Butler and in each session you feel his vibrant energy in the room and you know you’re in for a phenomenal experience. Mr. Butler trains with humor, fun and clarity, he challenges the audience’s thought patterns and gives refreshing perspectives. He inspires and gives a series of tools that all varied backgrounds can utilize with the children and families we serve. Mr. Butler includes actionable takeaways that add value to strategic planning, perspective and outcomes. His creative approaches, knowledge and personal skills insure measured success. Mr. Butler is a leading example of living the process, experiencing it and letting it live in an authentic flow. His energy and enthusiasm for sharing his knowledge and skills during sessions is absolutely awe-inspiring. He makes it fun and enjoyable to learn and he is very motivating and encouraging! If motivation, flexibility, and a personal approach is what you’re looking for, King Ajamou is the trainer for your agency!

You spoke to me and the rest of my City Year team earlier today and I’d just like to once again thank you for your truly inspiring words. I thought that the most impactful thing that you said to us was during the break, when you chose our inspirational word to be “heartbeat”. I’ll be working in Hopkins Lloyd Community School, placed in the middle of 53206. I’ll be sure to take your messages to heart when working with these students, and remember to pass along the important values that you have learned through your time living in the Milwaukee area.

I met Ajamou at a state-wide leadership conference several years ago (2018). In a panel discussion of notable leaders, Mr. Butler stood shoulders above the rest. Not because he was the most credentialed or had more than the others to say, but because he used his platform to talk about the programs and people to whom he had been assigned instead of centering himself. That’s what exceptional leaders do. Exceptional leaders do not measure their success by
trophies or accolades. They measure their success by the number of leaders for whom they can serve, support, and mentor in real-time. That’s the kind of servant leader Mr. Butler has proven himself to be in my life and the lives of countless others.

In the time I’ve known you, you’ve shown me a lot. Not only did you help me to realize my true potential, but also tap into that potential and grow as a man. You’ve shown me that I am not limited to the hood.
Seeing you work and constantly grow, knowing you grew up in the hood as well, shows me that my circumstances and surroundings do not define me as a man nor as a person. My circumstances and surroundings do not determine my future and they do not pick the path I choose to walk. I am now more determined than ever to make it out the hood, only to return and help #HealTheHood.