Media: History

Press Release |  Facts at a Glance |  History |  Background

The concept of community leadership development originated in the United States in the late 1950s in response to a need to organize activities around the civil rights movement. Cities dealing with the growing social unrest of the 1960s also recognized that responsible, collaborative leadership was needed to build healthy communities. Building this capacity meant expanding a community’s leadership base.

This observation was tragically reinforced when a plane carrying many of Atlanta’s young leaders crashed in 1969. In the face of such a great loss, a group of citizens formed Leadership Atlanta to fill the immediate need and to ensure that there would always be a steady supply of community-minded leaders.
Since then, the Community Leadership Association has assisted in developing leadership programs throughout the United States and across Canada, and has promoted the expansion of leadership programs into other countries. There are now about 1,500 leadership programs worldwide.

Recognizing the need to develop effective community leadership, UNC Asheville and the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce developed the Leadership Asheville program in 1982. Following a period of running the program jointly, in 1991 Leadership Asheville was moved entirely under the auspices of UNC Asheville. Now, Leadership Asheville is a now an independent nonprofit organization.

Today, Leadership Asheville continues its long tradition of contributing to the development of citizen leaders.  With 1,042 graduates and a 27-year history, Leadership Asheville continues to be dedicated to building productive community leadership. Leadership Asheville’s influential graduates represent all sectors of our community and are dedicated to providing leadership that is dynamic, meaningful, and relevant.

Historically, the Asheville area has enjoyed a wealth of leaders who have stepped forward time and again to take on the challenges facing our community. These leaders, as indefatigable as they seem, realize the time is right for passing the torch. But where are we going to find that next generation of community leaders? How can we equip them to respond effectively to the issues confronting our region both now and in the future?

These are key questions for the region. And they are one of the major reasons why Leadership Asheville was created – to help identify the future leadership of our region and provide it with practical opportunities, support and experience. The issues facing the greater Asheville area are becoming increasingly complex and challenging. They are often cross-sectoral in nature. Tackling them successfully will take energetic, well-prepared, and knowledgeable women and men – people who really understand community leadership.