Earl Martin Phalen, a former U.S. Senate exploratory candidate in Massachusetts, has released a children's book titled Aim High Dream Big, drawing from his personal journey from foster care to success. The book aims to inspire children who face obstacles, showing them that greatness lies within.
Phalen's early life was marked by trauma: he spent only 29 minutes with his birth mother before entering the foster care system, where 70% of his African American peers end up incarcerated. Adopted by George and Veronica Phalen, he struggled with anxiety and self-doubt, feeling different from his Irish Catholic family and peers. Despite these challenges, he graduated from Yale University and Harvard Law School.
Phalen went on to create one of the largest charter school systems in North America, serving 10,000 at-risk children across 23 schools. He also founded Great Jobs KC, KC Scholars, and Skilled US, granting $100 million in scholarships and creating jobs for low-income families. Additionally, Summer Advantage USA helped boost the academic growth of 50,000 children. His 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, Phalen was interviewed by Good Morning America about his programs. He then launched a U.S. Senate exploratory campaign, but decided to return to his work with children. 'I was overwhelmed by the support from across the nation, but felt called to return to my 10,000 children,' he said.
His first children's book, Aim High Dream Big, features 21 illustrations and conveys that children can overcome any obstacle. '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,' Phalen shared. Since its release, the book has been consistently sold out on Amazon.
Dr. Mousson Berrouet, a family physician in Maryland, praised the book: '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.
