Charles H. Lea III

Dr. Lea’s research and scholarship investigate the intersectionality of race/ethnicity, class, and gender in educational, correctional, and neighborhood contexts, and the impact these issues have on the health and well-being of young Black men and boys at risk and involved in the juvenile and criminal punishment systems. The overarching aims of this work is to develop knowledge and build theory that informs policies, practices, and interventions that can promote resilience and healthy development among young Black men and boys’, as well as lessen their risk for health-compromising behaviors, arrest, incarceration, and recidivism.

Dr. Lea’s research is informed by his practice experience with racial/ethnic minority youth and young adults in community, educational and correctional settings; prior research on prisoner reentry, school reform, and workforce and youth development; and training in qualitative methodology and community-based participatory research. Dr. Lea received his Ph.D. from the University of California, Los Angeles, MSW from the University of Michigan, and a B.A. in sociology from the University of California, Berkeley.

Research Interests

adolescent / young adult developmental transitions
adolescents/youth
adulthood
built environment
discrimination
education/schools
gender
harm reduction
health
health inequities
HIV prevention
inequality
inequality/disparity
LGBT populations
neighborhoods
place-based interventions
policy (policies)
poverty
practices
programs
racism
sexually transmitted infections
social determinants
social policy
social stratification
social support
stigma
toxic stress
trauma informed care
urban equity
urban health