Earl Martin Phalen
#HaveYouHerd: When you are passionate and have a vision, you will #DWYGD “Do what you gotta do” to get your vision across the finish line. That is precisely what today’s Friday Feature has done. Earl Martin Phalen is an extraordinary person who is the Founder and CEO of Phalen Leadership Academies. To learn more about him, keep reading.
Earl Martin Phalen was adopted by George and Veronica Phalen and is one of eight children. He attended and graduated from Yale University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and went on to graduate from Harvard Law School.
As a passionate advocate for education, he exemplifies the spirit of #DWYGD, Earl through Phalen Leadership Academies (PLA). PLA is a transformative leader in education, serving nearly 11,000 students in 25 schools and communities across the country including Alabama, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Texas, and Washington, DC. The ambition it takes to turn local schools into thriving pathways for success is something we commend Earl and his staff for.
When we asked Earl what #DWYGD means to him, and he said, “‘Do what you gotta do’ to me means providing all children with access to schools that have positive and loving cultures and climates; that expose children to a holistic education (including art, music, physical education, college, and career exploration); schools that help children learn about themselves and our rich history and culture; and that support children in mastering the core academic skills that will enable them to craft their futures.”
Advice that Earl has for those following in his footsteps is “Believe in yourself. Build an exceptional team. Don't stop when others say no, and work tirelessly to bring your vision to reality.” Words to live by.
Currently, Earl working on his next passion project, PLA University. Inspired by George Floyd and fueled by his desire to help families, PLA University is a free workforce development program that provides professional skills training through four credentialing tracks: health and life science, information technology, supply chain logistics, and manufacturing. PLA University provides a pathway for employment with fair and equitable wages. PLA is also preparing for the grand opening of its Cultural Arts Center, on September 30th.
Earl Martin Phalen exemplifies the essence of “doing what you gotta do.” Throughout every phase of his life, Earl has identified solutions that will lead to a better education for underperforming schools. We thank him for his vision and for all he continues to do to ensure our children and our children’s children have access to quality education. To keep up with Earl, follow him on Facebook (@PhalenLeadershipAcademies), Twitter (@AcademiesPhalen), Instagram (@phalenleadershipacademies), LinkedIn (@PhalenLeadershipAcademies), or their website: https://www.phalenacademies.org/.