Philadelphia is limelight for its rich American history, from the site of the Declaration of Independence to the iconic liberty bell. The city, unfortunately, received a negative limelight attention with its gun violence rates, especially during the pandemic. The city had the highest per capita gun rate out of the ten largest US cities, the most in the last few decades, according to the FBI Supplementary Homicide Report (2022-2023), as reported by NBC News in September 2024.
Community organizations such as The Charles Foundation, Inc., Cease Fire Philadelphia, and EMIR Healing Center are some of the many organizations addressing the city’s gun violence and making an impact on at-risk youth, as they’re working to reduce the city’s already declining homicide rate.
One individual who’s making an impact in the lives of youth is Khadijah Butler, the visionary behind the Craig D. Butler (CDB) Scholarship Foundation, Inc. This distinctive foundation, created to honor her father, Craig D. Butler, stands out as an annual merit-based program that supports underserved high school seniors of African American descent with a 3.0 GPA or higher in Pennsylvania and Camden County, New Jersey, in their pursuit of higher education. The one-time awards of $1,000 are stepping-stones for financial relief for high school seniors who are entering to attend a two- or four-year college.
According to the foundation’s website, the scholarship fosters philanthropic values in ambitious, driven, and goal-oriented individuals. The CDB Foundation also advocates for gun reform and promotes education initiatives.
THE BEGINNING OF THE START – 20/20 VISION
For Butler, the pandemic was the pivotal moment, which served as an opportunity for self- reflection and purposeful action.
The 2020 pandemic lockdown spurred many individuals to enter the small business sector, channeling their 20/20 vision of conceived ideas and creativity to launch ventures amid uncertainty. According to the US Census Bureau/Business Formation Statistics (BFS), the pandemic led to 4.4 million business start-ups in 2020, a 24% increase from 3.5 million in 2019.
Butler acknowledged the critical need for scholarships for African American seniors in underrepresented populations in communities overshadowed by many societal issues, such as crime. Her connection to the cause comes for personal experience after tragically losing her father by the hand of a 14-year-old youth to gun violence on July 1,1999. This insight in addressing the need, along with her wish to honor her father’s legacy, inspired her to establish the Craig D. Butler Scholarship.
“We are the first Black female-led nonprofit organization to achieve this in the area. I recognize the importance of celebrating my father,” she shared with the Exclusive Press (EP).
She takes pride in her mission to turn her 20/20 vision into reality by giving back and inspiring the youth from underrepresented communities.
HEARTFELT PRESENCE
A star sparkle in her eyes just by the way her mind time castle to the fun-loving memories of her father. Her father, as she described, was a vivacious and loving person, who was full of energy and the life of the party.
“Till this day people around me can feel my father’s presence around me and my family. It’s something in the bloodline,” she shared, “We’re [the family] just as loving and passionate as him.”
She also shared that he was hard on her and her siblings because he wanted them to achieve greatness in life. She credits her father’s diligence for her own strong work ethic.
“I really feel that I take a lot of his values as far as integrity, generosity, being a servant, and making sure that family is first. I feel like that’s the pillars of who he was,” she shared.
In 1972, Craig D. Butler was a 1972 graduate from West Philadelphia High School. He served his country proud in the US Navy and was honorably discharged in 1977. In addition, he loved to laugh, sing, run long distances, and spend time with his family.
OVERFLOW OF THANK YOUS
When asked what her father would say to her if he was still living, seeing how much she is honoring his legacy she said that she believes that he would be proud of her generosity knowing how important it is for the community. She shared that he would be sitting next to her at the award ceremony, while noting that this is also his moment because of his charismatic energy and heartfelt presence.
Butler values the gratitude expressed by the scholarship recipients and their parents. The expressions of gratitude highlight the significant impact of the Craig D. Butler Scholarship, as the students foster the confidence essential for their next life chapter.
She remembered one scholar who won her first scholarship through the foundation, which alleviated her feelings of hopelessness of thinking that she couldn’t win. After winning a scholarship through the foundation, she went on to win eight more scholarships.
In the future, she desires to expand the scholarship to various places, like Delaware and Maryland.
YOUR WORK IS NOT IN VAIN
Butler, who works as a project manager, developing clinical trial database, while managing the nonprofit organization, shared that managing the business is one of the most challenging yet rewarding jobs.
“In Philly, we been told that bad things happen here,” she stated.
L-R: Khadijah Butler photographed while holding her book planner, CDB Scholarship Monthly Planner – College Edition; and Khadijah’s upcoming book, Laying the Foundation – Brick by Brick – Second Edition, is set to launch on May 6, 2025; Courtesy of Khadijah Butler
“It’s really important to amplify the stories of underserved populations who, despite facing [numerous] hurdles, particularly gun violence, continue to persevere,” she added.
Numerous news publications, online magazines, TV stations, and podcasts recognize Butler’s philanthropic efforts and success story. She previously served as a keynote speaker for Delco Women’s History Month at the Delaware County, PA library and was honored at the 2023 HUAMI Magazine Awards Gala. The foundation collaborates with local organizations to advance social justice initiatives.
In addition to owning a nonprofit organization, she’s also the author of the CDB Scholarship Monthly Planner—College Edition. Her upcoming edition, Laying the Foundation—Brick by Brick—Second Edition, will be available on May 6th through major bookstore sites like Barnes & Nobles, eBay, and Amazon. In her Philly girl narrative, the book provides tips in starting a scholarship foundation while chronicling her father’s memory.
THE DREAM LIVES ON
Her following God’s plan has been more of her living testament in the past five years than it has been her entire life. The business is a testament to her strength and courage to turn pain into purpose.
A friend told her, “I don’t know anyone who has endured as much as you and still gets up. I believe that’s your superpower.”
Each day she wakes up, she knows what she’s doing is a badge of honor, knowing if she’s not there to amplify those voices through her scholarship foundation, it’s just the stigma of another African American from an underserved community out there without a future – becoming another statistic.
Her perseverance keeps her doing what she’s doing: getting up each day with a mission and purpose to change lives.
Recipients interested in the scholarship can apply through the foundation’s website by April 11th. The scholarship is in partnership with Scholarships 360, where recipients can also apply there. Winners will be announced on May 15, 2025.
Thank you Tracey for the amazing write-up!