Lalah Radney

C.R. Neal Academy, authorized by Voorhees University’s Charter Institute of Learning, will be the first charter school in the United States authorized by a Historically Black College or University (HBCU). Opening in Columbia in fall 2027, the school will offer workforce-aligned Career and Technical Education pathways in healthcare and advanced manufacturing. The school is part of the national network of Rooted Schools and will grow to serve students in grades 6-12. 

Lalah Radney, founding executive director, led the school’s authorization process making C.R. Neal the first charter school in the nation authorized by an HBCU. She has since built a prospective enrollment pipeline of nearly 1,000 interested students and a coalition of 32 community, industry, and higher education partners. Radney has held college access and student success leadership roles at Louisiana State University (LSU) and the Harlem Children’s Zone. At LSU, she achieved 97.2% retention cohort scheduling among more than 300 high-need students and helped drive student engagement to nearly 100% across the freshman class. At Harlem Children’s Zone, she supported more than 5,000 K-16 students, expanded program participation by more than 800 students in a single year, and oversaw initiatives that helped graduating students secure more than $200 million in scholarships.