Ray Curry facts for kids
Ray Curry is an American leader who used to work for a group called the United Autoworkers (UAW). This union helps people who build cars and trucks. From 2021 to 2023, Ray Curry was the President of the UAW. He was the second African-American president of this important union.
Leading the United Autoworkers
Ray Curry became the President of the UAW in July 2021. He was chosen by the union's main leadership group, the UAW International Executive Board. He took over from Rory Gamble, who was the first African-American president of the union.
In 2023, Ray Curry ran for re-election. This was the first time UAW members directly voted for their president. He lost the election to another candidate named Shawn Fain by a small number of votes. Before becoming president, Curry served as the union's Secretary-Treasurer from 2018 to 2021. This role involves managing the union's money and records.
Early Life and Education
Ray Curry studied business and finance at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree. Later, he continued his education at the University of Alabama, where he received a Master of Business Administration degree.
Curry first joined the UAW when he worked at Freightliner Trucks in Mount Holly, North Carolina. He was an assembler, meaning he helped put together trucks. In 2004, the union hired him directly as a staffer. This means he worked for the union to help organize new members and support existing ones.