Charles Lea

Charles Lea is an Assistant Professor of Social Work at Columbia University, where he is a member of the Race and Racism Scholarship Cluster. His research addresses structural racism in the criminal legal system and educational settings, with a focus on young Black men.

Education:

• B.A. in Sociology, UC Berkeley
• M.S.W., University of Michigan (with community-based initiative fellowship)
• Ph.D., UCLA

Research Interests: Dr. Lea employs qualitative methodologies to document how structural racism shapes risk, resilience, and resistance among young Black men navigating school and community systems. His work promotes culturally congruent, healing-centered interventions to divert youth from the carceral system and support successful re-entry. He advocates for community-engaged, strength-based research to inform anti-carceral policies and practices.

Grants and Projects: Currently, Dr. Lea leads a grant with the Columbia School of Social Work to develop a racial equity framework through collaboration with New York probation and minoritized youth. He also conducts a pilot study on cultural assets for HIV and substance use prevention among re-entering young Black men (in partnership with UCLA). Previously, he evaluated national reentry programs including YouthBuild USA and Houston's reentry initiatives during the pandemic.

Community Engagement: Dr. Lea prioritizes partnerships with community organizations in New York, Houston, and Oakland, emphasizing that relational components are vital for program success and youth well-being. He believes real-world impact matters more than academic recognition.