Gerald Neal credits his parents' commitment to the community as laying the foundation for his career in politics.

Neal advocates for economic development, education, health, welfare, and safe communities. He is a powerful voice for those who need it most. In his five years as Kentucky state senator of Louisville's 33rd district, Neal has been included in the Kentucky Civil Rights Hall of Fame and received both the Clarence Mitchell Award from the NAACP and an Anderson Laureate Award.

Neal was awarded the 2005 Nelson Mandela Lifetime Achievement Award and served as a United Nations observer monitor in South Africa for their historic all-race elections. He holds several significant degrees, including a J.D. from the University of Louisville, and is a practicing attorney at Gerald Neal and Associates, LLC.