Born into foster care, author Earl Martin Phalen is a nationally recognized social entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of Phalen Leadership Academies, one of the largest charter school systems in North America with 24 schools serving more than 10,000 students in five states.
Earlier in his career, Earl founded BELL, which grew from a Harvard Law School tutoring project into a national nonprofit serving over 15,000 children annually.
In 2020, Earl created Skilled US, a workforce initiative that connects families to high-demand credentials and living-wage careers with salaries up to $125,000 annually. Skilled US has served thousands of adults across the United States. In 2022, Earl was named CEO of Great Jobs KC, a nonprofit that has awarded $100M in scholarships and provided jobs and workforce training for thousands of families.
His recent children’s book, “Aim High Dream Big” teaches lessons of perseverance, resilience and mentions Yale as the place where a “young Earl” learned to love himself. Learn more about Earl Martin Phalen.
Below, he reflects on his love for Jonathan Edwards and shares how his time at Yale gave him the confidence to start organizations focused on expanding access to high-quality education for children, a college access and completion program for young adults, and a workforce development program.
Why Yale?
As funny as it may sound, I was actually disappointed when I got into Yale. I had my heart set on Georgetown because I wanted to be in Washington, D.C., and even after getting into Brown, Dartmouth, Penn, and others, I still thought I could convince my parents that Georgetown was the right choice.
But when Yale came through, I knew that was where I was meant to be. Looking back, I laugh at my youthful ignorance. Yale was exactly where I needed to be—one of the most transformative experiences of my life.
What is your most enduring memory of your time at Yale?
The friendships I built at Yale are lasting and incredibly meaningful. But one moment stands out. On my first Sunday on campus, I was rallying people to play basketball, and they looked at me like I was crazy—they were headed to the library.
That moment changed me. I had always competed in sports and knew how to train to win, but academically, I had mostly done just enough to get by. That night showed me that people competed academically, too—that excellence in the classroom required the same discipline and drive.
It fundamentally shifted my mindset, played a major role in my success at Yale, and ultimately helped me earn admission into multiple law schools.
What is the biggest lesson you learned during your time at Yale and how does that shape who you are today?
Coming from public schools in a blue-collar town outside of Boston, I arrived at Yale unsure if I could compete academically with peers from elite boarding and private schools.
That changed after a Psychology 101 exam. The professor announced that only three students earned a 97.6—and I was one of them. Walking back with friends, comparing scores, that moment hit me: I could compete with anyone.
That confidence changed everything. It carried me through Yale, helped me succeed at Harvard Law School, and ultimately gave me the belief to start organizations focused on expanding access to high-quality education for children in grades K-12, a college access and completion program for young adults, and a workforce development program that leads to better-paying jobs for adults.
How did your time at Yale shape your identity?
Yale shaped my identity through the people, the questions, and the experiences. I was fortunate to build a diverse group of friends and to play on the basketball team—both of which challenged and grounded me in different ways.
What stood out most, though, were the constant questions from friends about purpose. For the first time, I had to seriously wrestle with why I was here and what I was meant to do—and I didn’t have an easy answer. That pushed me to seek deeper self-understanding.
An organizational behavior course with Professor James Herbert was especially transformative. It challenged me to examine my beliefs, values, and identity. That experience sparked a deeper exploration of my racial identity and a growing appreciation for the contributions of African Americans, which strengthened my confidence and sense of purpose as I moved forward.
I discovered that part of my purpose is to educate and empower marginalized children. I recently wrote a children's book called “Aim High Dream Big” which teaches lessons of perseverance, resilience, and self confidence. In the book, I wrote about finding my identity at Yale, and that Yale was the place where I learned to love myself.
What does belonging mean to you and how did you find a sense of belonging at Yale and after?
Belonging, to me, is feeling seen, supported, and part of something bigger than yourself. I absolutely found that at Yale.
From living on Old Campus to being part of Jonathan Edwards, the shared meals, residential life, and even something as simple as our touch football team—where we went on a 23-game win streak—all of it created a deep sense of community. I still remember our dean closing the office to come out and support us at our championship games.
That sense of belonging was fostered by both Yale’s structure and the people—classmates who were thoughtful, empathetic, and deeply supportive. It’s a standard of community I’ve carried with me ever since.
How have you stayed engaged with the Yale community since graduating?
I’ve stayed closely connected to Yale over the years. I’ve returned for several reunions, including basketball reunions, which have been especially meaningful—reconnecting with teammates and reliving those great memories.
Some of my closest friendships today were formed at Yale, and those relationships have endured over time. I was also honored to be nominated by Yale for the NCAA Silver Anniversary Award, which I was fortunate to receive, and it meant a great deal to represent Yale in that recognition.
What advice do you wish you heard during your time at Yale?
The importance of networking—especially authentic, long-term relationship building. I heard it at the time, but I didn’t fully appreciate it. I tended to think, “If we’re friends, we’re friends—and if not, that’s okay. I will be kind to you when I see you, of course, but I may not stay connected if our paths don't cross.”
Looking back, I wish I had stayed more intentionally connected to a broader group of classmates. Many have gone on to do extraordinary things across sectors—from Wall Street to public service—and those relationships matter, not just professionally but in advancing meaningful work.
In my world, where fundraising is critical to serving more people, I now see how powerful those networks can be. I would tell my younger self: invest in relationships early and keep them strong—they matter more than you realize.
What aspects of Yale do you feel like you talk about most often to people who didn’t go to school here? Why?
First and foremost, I talk about the people. My classmates came from incredibly diverse backgrounds and perspectives, but what stood out was their thoughtfulness and respect. Even our late-night debates and disagreements came from a place of curiosity, care, and a genuine desire to understand one another.
I also often talk about the professors and the classes. I remember a sociology course that deeply impacted me—it challenged me to confront systemic inequities and better understand how they persist. At the same time, it exposed me to ideas and models from other communities and countries working to build more equitable systems, which helped shape my sense of purpose and possibility.
And I also talk about my first love and my first heartbreak, which, in many ways, deeply shaped me—mostly for the better. Those experiences were part of the broader personal growth that made Yale such a formative chapter in my life.
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