Leadership Racine History

The initial founding of Leadership Racine can be traced to an October 23, 1996 meeting.  Various community leaders noted that night that Racine did not have a leadership program and needed one. Racine Area Manufacturers and Commerce President Roger Caron noted the interest and took that message back to his board of directors.  Through research and meetings with key people, the initial Leadership Racine concept was formed.  In the spring of 1997, the RAMAC Board approved a budget of $36,000.  On the advice of Charles Bray (retired president of The Johnson Foundation at Wingspread),  RAMAC sought out United Way of Racine County and Racine Community Foundation as partners to broaden their community outreach.  RAMAC developed major corporate donors and in April of 1998, RAMAC hired a part-time coordinator.  The first Leadership Racine class started in September 1998.