Rev. Dr. Charles Butler is a native of Pittsburgh, PA. Dr. Butler is employed by Harlem Congregations for Community Improvement, Inc. (HCCI) as the Vice President of the Equitable Development Department since 2003. He has assisted over 3500 individuals and families to become first-time homeowners. He has created and established the Small Business Workshop Initiative and has assisted over 30 entrepreneurs in achieving their goal of starting their own business. He is now in the process of developing the department’s third initiative by starting a program to teach the Fundamentals of Financial Investments.
Rev. Butler also serves as Pastor at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in Harlem. In this capacity, he provides spiritual guidance to the congregation. He teaches new member orientation and Bible study classes. He is actively involved with the youth ministry and the evangelism ministry.
Rev. Butler enjoys working with the youth in the Harlem community. He coached over 15 years with the Harlem Little League, the Harlem Athletic Baseball Association, and the Harlem Soccer League. He still maintains contact with many of his players.
Dr. Butler is also an accomplished musician. He plays the bass violin and the bass
guitar and leads a gospel/jazz band. He can be found gigging around the city with various musicians. Recently Rev. Butler discovered a new passion, as television host and producer of a local cable station talk show called “Illumination” which can be seen on the Manhattan Neighborhood Network stations. The program highlights ordinary people doing extraordinary work for the enrichment of those living on the margins of society.
He recent produced his first short film documentary called ‘Beneath the Radar,’ which highlights the staggering statistics of maternal morbidity among African American women in New York City. The film can be viewed on Youtube – IlluminationTV. He is now making his second documentary film titled “Religion: Beliefs, Attitudes and Myths.” This film will explore the changing social, cultural and moral attitudes associated with society’s worldview towards worshipping and serving the God of creation.
He is married to Carol Butler and they have 2 sons Charles Roberts Butler and
Clement James Butler. But most importantly Chuck is a child of God. He loves the Lord, and leading others to Christ.
As we go into 2026, The Harlem Times celebrates Rev. Butler for his unique and forthright contributions to Harlem. We will continue to highlight special individuals in our community who go above and beyond the call to enrich our community, and nation.
If you know of an exemplary individual in Harlem or greater NYC, please email our team at harlemtimes@gmail.com, or pjackson@theharlemtimes.com.