Neal pursued graduate studies in Political Science at the University of Michigan, and later returned to Kentucky to begin his legal career.

[citation needed] Beginning his career at the Legal Aid Society and the Neighborhood Youth Corps before 1974, Neal committed to social justice and community empowerment.

[citation needed] Neal lost the 8th ward Democratic aldermanic primary in April 1977 but soon after that, he was elected to the school board steering committee in July 1977.

[citation needed] In April 1988, Neal won election to the Kentucky Senate from the 33rd district, a position he continues to hold.

His tenure has been marked by his involvement in significant initiatives, including his role as a member of Task Force 2000, which addressed the merger of Jefferson County and Louisville.

[citation needed] Neal was appointed Senior Fellow of Public Policy and adjunct professor in the College of Arts & Sciences, at the University of Louisville, where he taught and continues to teach courses in History, State and Local Government, Health and Welfare Policy, Civil Rights & the Law(including voter, housing, employment, education, and criminal justice).

He served five terms as chair of the Louisville-Jefferson County Metropolitan Sewer District, where he increased the transparency of the agency, opening it to public scrutiny and involvement.

He sponsored laws that required the identification of the special needs of the minority elderly population and created the African American Heritage Commission.

"[11] Senator Neal has received many honors and commendations for his distinguished service to community, the legal profession, and as a Kentucky State Legislator.