Earl Martin Phalen, a former U.S. Senate exploratory candidate in Massachusetts and founder of one of the largest charter school systems in North America, has released a children's book titled Aim High Dream Big. The book, illustrated with 21 images, aims to inspire children facing adversity by sharing Phalen's own journey from foster care to success.
Phalen spent only 29 minutes in his mother's arms before entering the foster care system, where 70% of his African American peers would eventually end up in jail. Despite early trauma and anxiety, he was adopted by a large Irish Catholic family in Norwood, Massachusetts. He graduated from Yale University and Harvard Law School, later founding organizations such as Great Jobs KC, KC Scholars, and Skilled US, which have granted $100 million in scholarships and created jobs for low-income families.
Phalen's programs serve 10,000 at-risk children across 23 schools nationwide. He also helped 50,000 children through Summer Advantage USA. His work has been recognized by First Ladies Michelle Obama and Jill Biden, and he received the Presidential Service Award from Bill Clinton in 1997. In 2024, he was interviewed by Good Morning America about his programs' success.
Last year, Phalen launched a U.S. Senate exploratory campaign but decided to return to focus on his educational initiatives. 'I was overwhelmed by the support from across the nation, but felt called to return to my 10,000 children,' he said. His book, Aim High Dream Big, has been continually sold out on Amazon since its release. Dr. Mousson Berrouet, a family physician in Maryland, described it as 'an inspiring story for schools, families, and communities that champion the greatness within their children.'
Phalen hopes the book will help children overcome self-doubt. 'I wrote this for kids who are still figuring themselves out, who may feel unsure of where they fit or what they're capable of. My hope is that my story reminds children that no matter what challenge they face, that greatness is already within them.' The book is available on Amazon and Ingram Spark.
