The Honorable Mayor Angelyne Butler, MPA
Angelyne Butler, MPA, a distinguished community leader, presently holds the position of the 24th mayor of Forest Park. She made history as the first person of color and the second woman to be chosen as mayor of the city. Originally from Washington State, Butler grew up at Fort Lewis Army Base in Tacoma, WA. Her late father, Command Sergeant Major Arthur Butler, Jr., played a significant role in nurturing her deep commitment to community involvement, governance, and, most importantly, public service. Throughout Mayor Butler's term, her administration has generated 3,250 job opportunities, with 1,500 more jobs expected, each offering an average salary of $55,000. At the beginning of her tenure, she inherited a debt of $14 million from acquiring Fort Gillem, which was successfully transformed into investments amounting to $1 billion. Notably, the debt from the purchase of Fort Gillem was paid in full in 2023. Mayor Butler's achievements also involve managing a $34 million operating budget, commencing construction on a new multi-million-dollar public safety facility, setting up a four-year plan for capital improvement projects, and securing a $51 million partnership and investment initiative with Truist for the city.
Mayor Butler, an active public servant, is affiliated with the African American Mayors Association and serves on various local boards such as the Downtown Development Authority, Clayton County Board of Health, and the Motherless Daughters Foundation. Recognized for her contributions, she was honored with the 2020 Mayor of the Year Awards from the Atlanta Business Chronicle and the Georgia Minority Association. Additionally, she was awarded the esteemed 2022 Civic Engagement Award by the National Association of 100 Black Women Inc.
Mayor Butler holds a bachelor's degree in political science from Spelman College, a master's degree in public administration from Troy University, and she is currently working towards a Ph.D. in theology from Restoration Theological Seminary. At the age of fourteen, she learned a crucial leadership lesson. Although Mayor Butler did not plan to become a teenage mother, she is determined to demonstrate to others in similar situations that they can defy stereotypes. She considers her daughter her greatest achievement. Despite being a teenage mother, her daughter has achieved academic success with honors in high school, undergraduate and graduate studies, served in the U.S. Air Force Reserves, won four National Rugby Championships, earned All-American status, and is now pursuing a pilot's license.
Mayor Butler always leads with faith. While being "the first" is a remarkable achievement, her top priority is to be significant and make a meaningful impact on the people she serves through her elected position.
When Mayor Butler isn't addressing constituent calls or managing city hall's daily operations, she finds joy in traveling, working out, and cherishing moments with her beloved “First Pets” - Madame Mayor and Loc
