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, drawing from 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 end up incarcerated. After being adopted into a large Irish Catholic family in Norwood, Massachusetts, he struggled with anxiety and self-doubt. 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 granted $100 million in scholarships and created jobs for low-income families through Great Jobs KC, KC Scholars, and Skilled US. Additionally, he helped 50,000 children through Summer Advantage USA.
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, he was interviewed by Good Morning America regarding his programs' success. Last year, he was a U.S. Senate Exploratory Candidate in Massachusetts but chose to return to his work with children.
Aim High Dream Big features 21 illustrations showing children how to overcome obstacles. Dr. Mousson Berrouet, a family physician in Maryland, called the book "an inspiring story for schools, families, and communities that champion the greatness within their children." Since its release, the book has been continually sold out on Amazon and Ingram Spark.
