WM. La’Keisha Butts

WM. La’Keisha Butts brings steady leadership and a servant’s heart to every space she enters. Born in Louisiana, she spent 30+ years in the Baltimore area before making Durham, NC her home in 2019. A proud member of Nehemiah Church of God in Christ under the leadership of Bishop Herbert Davis, she lives her values daily—showing up, pitching in, and lifting others.

A lifelong learner, La’Keisha is both a full-time student and employee at the illustrious North Carolina Central University, where she provides administrative support to Campus Enterprises. Her work strengthens student experiences, campus operations, and partnerships that keep Eagles soaring. Before higher education, she built a distinguished career in public service, retiring from the Federal Government in 2019.

La’Keisha’s commitment to community runs deep. Within the Order of the Eastern Star, Modern Free Jurisdiction, she serves as Worthy Matron—mentoring, organizing, and modeling excellence. Her passion for justice is personal: in 2005 she wrote to the Innocence Project on behalf of her father, Rickey Johnson, who had been wrongfully convicted. That outreach helped open the door to DNA testing; in 2009, following his exoneration, La’Keisha appeared on the Tom Joyner Morning Show to share her family’s journey.

When she isn’t working or serving, you’ll likely find La’Keisha recharging at the beach, traveling, getting a good lift in at the gym, visiting her parents, or practicing safely at the range. La’Keisha is a wife of 26 years and mother to two adult children and two beloved “furbabies”.

Above all, La’Keisha believes that small, consistent acts of care can transform communities. She shows up with humility, follow-through, and an open hand—ready to do the work and bring others along. Her story continues to inspire compassionate action.