Founder and CEO of the Phalen Leadership Academies, Earl Martin Phalen, has been named a Treehouse Foundation 2020 Re-Envisioning Foster Care in American Champion.
Phalen, was adopted from foster care at the age of two and graduated from both Yale University and Harvard Law School. In 2013, he founded Phalen Leadership Academies (named in honor of his adoptive parents), which has quickly become the largest African American-run school turnaround network in the country.
“Earl Martin Phalen's entire career and stellar leadership has motivated me for 20 years,” said Treehouse Founder and Executive Director, Judy Cockerton. As an educator and child/youth advocate, I am particularly inspired by the transformational approach that he and his team are using with the Phalen Leadership Academies.”
The Treehouse Foundation inspires, implements and supports innovative child welfare practices to ensure children who experience foster care, find forever families and supportive communities, empowering them to lead fulfilling, productive lives. This year, they are shining a spotlight on 20 foster care alumni who are transforming the way children and youth living in foster care are supported and nurtured in America.
“Phalen is a visionary social entrepreneur and an inspiring education innovator who is changing the face of education in America,” says Cockerton.
PLA operates K-12 tuition-free schools serving nearly 10,000 scholars across the country. PLA’s primary mission is to improve the lives of children through education.
About PLA: Phalen Leadership Academies is a transformative leader in school turnaround with the primary mission to improve the lives of children through education. PLA serves nearly 10,000 scholars in 22 schools across the country. Now serving: Indiana, Ohio, Texas, Florida, and Michigan.
About Treehouse Foundation: Treehouse promotes public investment in our most vulnerable children. We inspire, implement and support innovative child welfare practices to ensure children who experience foster care find forever families and supportive communities, empowering them to lead fulfilling, productive lives.
