May 19, 2026 3p
(WGTD)---A 2019 statistical analysis of racial disparities showing that Racine was one of the worst places to live if you're African-American rattled some members of the community. So much so that the Johnson Foundation at Wingspread—led by Marcus White—launched an initiative based on the research.
"What was interesting to us in there were really different reactions," said White on WGTD's Morning Show. "You would hear from people in the community saying, well, 'Tell us something we don't already know.' And then you would hear from others in the community saying 'Well that's not the Racine I know.'"
In the end, the Foundation decided that the community couldn’t afford to ignore the statistics.
With the help of several dozen non-profits and the input of hundreds of residents, a lengthy investigation led to the formation of the Safety and Well-Being Collaborative.
With the aim of coming up with practical, make-a-real-difference answers, the group focused on four main issues: Jobs and economic stability, food access, parenting support and reentry support for recently-released prison inmates.
The Collaborative’s blueprint is available here.
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