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 his first children's book, 'Aim High Dream Big.' The book aims to inspire children facing adversity by sharing Phalen's personal journey from foster care to success.
Phalen spent only 29 minutes in his mother's arms before entering the foster care system, an environment where 70% of his African American peers would later end up in jail. Adopted into a large Irish Catholic family in Norwood, Massachusetts, he struggled with anxiety and self-doubt, feeling different from those around him. Despite these challenges, he graduated from Yale University and Harvard Law School, eventually creating a charter school system serving 10,000 at-risk children across 23 schools. His initiatives, including Summer Advantage USA, have supported academic growth for 50,000 children. Phalen also helped establish programs such as Great Jobs KC, KC Scholars, and Skilled US, which grant $100 million in scholarships and create jobs for low-income families.
Phalen's work earned recognition from 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 the success of his programs. Last year, he was a U.S. Senate Exploratory Candidate in Massachusetts. 'I was overwhelmed by the support from across the nation, but felt called to return to my 10,000 children,' he said.
'Aim High Dream Big,' featuring over 21 illustrations, shows children how to overcome obstacles. Since its release, the book has been continually sold out on Amazon. Dr. Mousson Berrouet, a family physician in Maryland, noted, 'Aim High Dream Big is an inspiring story for schools, families, and communities that champion the greatness within their children.' The book is available on Amazon and Ingram Spark.
