From Single Mom's Strength to STEM Ph.D. Candidate: Radiah Pinckney's Journey to Leadership
Radiah Pinckney, a native New Englander from Hartford County, CT, is currently a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering at Nortth Carolina A & T, having completed her master’s and undergraduate studies there as well. She is a Chancellor’s Distinguished Fellow.
Her professional experiences focus on quality, process improvement, employee communications/development and operations/project management. She has worked for GE, American Express, PepsiCo, Frito-Lay, Inc. as well as the United Way of Greater Greensboro. She is a two-time Aggie honor graduate (Cum Laude and Distinction), and has received the PepsiCo Operations Leadership Award and the Earth Share NC Employee Giving Campaign Coordinator of the Year. She has served as the President and VP for Alpha Pi Mu Industrial Engineering Honor Society, and is a member of National Society of Black Engineers, Society of Women Engineers, and Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers. She also served as a Graduate Teaching Assistant with the College of Engineering.
What key moments in your life led you to where you are today?
Growing up in a divorced, single parent home, my mother instilled in me the importance of hard work and perseverance when I was very young. She worked up to three jobs to make sure our basic needs were met. I was afforded tutoring, transportation to and from extracurricular activities, meals, sports equipment, etc. I have often been told the story of being a toddler and going to my pre-K program carrying a bag with a special dress that I loved to wear and often would sing and dance in. I would always return from school where my grandmother would pick me up with that very bag with my special dress in hand. As I matriculated through grade school, junior high and high school, other talents and skills were uncovered. I was determined, committed, and a high achiever who was a team player in both academics and extracurricular activities. My mother’s desire and drive are an innate part of my DNA and is still alive and well.
Being proficient in both math and science, one of my high school math teachers, who was also my volleyball coach, encouraged and challenged me to stay the course and never give up. Although daunting at times, I sought help after hours through tutoring and even working with my peers to make sure I understood the material. With grit and tenacity, I forged through and was successful in completing my classes with excellence and academic honors.
It’s no coincidence that I chose North Carolina A&T State University as my preferred choice of higher education. While my mother was employed at the University of Connecticut, she encountered a student pursuing his MBA degree. He had completed his undergraduate degree at North Carolina A&T State University and spoke very highly of his experience. Being from the northeast, historically black colleges and universities were rarely stressed or even discussed regarding college options/opportunities. But this young man’s experience piqued our interest. My mother and I decided to go on a college tour to explore the black colleges and universities we had only heard about. Upon our visit to North Carolina A&T State University, there was a feeling of peace, serenity, family, and a future for me. And given that it is a top producer of African American engineers helped to solidify the decision for both of us that this would be the university I would attend.
I would be remiss if I didn’t pay homage to my grandmother. She was a pillar of strength, a quiet yet mighty force to be reckoned with. Her wisdom, encouragement, positive attitude, and uplifting spirit was and is a source of motivation for my mother and me. She would always tell me two things which I carry in my heart to this day. The first is, ‘What’s for you, you’ll get. This implies if you do what you can; do your best; all will work out in your favor, almost effortlessly. The second thing she would say often is, time waits on no man.’ In other words, time is of the essence, seize it and make it count.
Where does your passion to serve come from?
My grandmother married and moved to the north from South Carolina and never forgot her family and the community where she was raised. The eldest of 10 and a widow raising my mother and her siblings, she always gave back to her large family. For her, family also included neighbors and friends. Whether it was sharing food, providing shelter and clothing, or even a good word of advice, she shared her resources and whatever she had whenever it was needed.
I’ve held several leadership roles for recruiting employees and volunteers at various Fortune 500 companies. I also served and volunteered on nonprofit boards membership, including working for a well-known nonprofit, United Way of Greater Greensboro in various capacities spanning early child development, mentoring, health, education, food insecurity, and poverty to name a few. I have remained an active alumna, serving as the inaugural chair for the Young Alumni Council and have volunteered for arts/theatre and STEM related activities.
My philosophy is that I didn’t become who I am and arrive at this current place in time by myself. Be it family, a friend, mentor, teacher, or someone else, others gave unselfishly of themselves and of their time. This has become an invaluable reminder to me that despite the obstacles, challenges, hardships, triumphs, and successes that I have encountered, others have poured into me and I need to do the same. This is what service can do. Whether it was an act of kindness or a word of encouragement, both were used to fuel me and provided me with what I needed to develop, grow and flourish as the responsible human being I am today. Therefore, I want to be the fuel for others to make that same positive difference.
What does success look like to you, on your own terms?
At its core, it is achieving balance with the five pillars that I center my life around: emotional, financial, mental, physical, and spiritual. Each provides me with a true and holistic approach to how I live my life. Having balance within these pillars creates happiness, health and wellness, and the ability to impact the society I live and work in positively. This balance has helped me to achieve many things both personally and professionally.
How can GlobalMindED help you reach your goals?
Being a part of the First Gen Student Leadership Program, I have the honor of building a new network with other like-minded colleagues and professionals. The exchange of new ideas, career advice, and connections are invaluable. It has allowed me to expand my network for both personal and professional growth. The exposure to influential role models and mentorships is instrumental to foster community support for myself and others. This organization thrives on inclusion, connections, resources, and diverse talent.
Tell us about your experience at the conference: What would you like for students to know.
I was overwhelmed with the wealth of information shared by a diverse population ranging from students to corporate level executives, CEOs, entrepreneurs, educators and the like. The many topics and sessions offered thought-provoking and real-world issues for dialogue with an effort to educate, impact and empower those in the room. They also challenged us to make a difference in our lives as well as the lives of others and in the world through advocacy, invoking systematic change, and leadership.
During the last day of the conference, I participated in a segment that allowed students to share their conference experience and/or place a charge or challenge to the audience as a takeaway. I left a charge to all ‘Aspire to inspire before you expire.’ This is to encourage all of us to do what we can, while we can when the opportunity exists. And if an opportunity doesn’t exist, you can be bold and create one. We have to be the change we want to see.
So, mark your calendars for June 16-18, 2025 to be in Denver and have a seat at the table to learn and join the conversation to make an impactful change on our society and the world.
| 
