Michael Phillips New Book “Wrong Lanes Have Right Turns” Plans to Interrupt Tragedies and Dismantle the School-to-Prison Pipeline
Dallas, TX (Oct 22nd, 2021) — ““Wrong Lanes Have Right Turns” blends Michael’s simultaneously heart-breaking and inspiring story with ideas for education reform to turn around the lives of so many youths that are growing up as he did. His personal success story of narrowly a lengthy prison sentence and creating a future through education gives him a unique and powerful voice for dismantling the unjust school-to-prison pipeline within the national education system.
This pipeline is the process of students being pushed out of the school system and into juvenile detention centers and prison through a network of policies and practices within schools that effectively criminalize youth and set them up for failure and incarceration. This disproportionately affects students of color and low socioeconomic status. Phillips seeks to interrupt tragedies for these kids who most often carry the weight of others’ misplaced assumptions, low expectations, and revoked opportunities.
“When we acknowledge the challenges and trauma certain communities face through a lens of equity, a heart of empathy, and a willingness to act with moral courage, we can create significant change,” says Phillips. “Education is the path, but we need to start with changing the system.”
In “Wrong Lanes Have Right Turns,” Phillips’s story showcases the absolute necessity to provide a better path to life success for underprivileged students. After losing a parent, getting in a life-threatening car accident, and having his college scholarship revoked, Phillips turned to selling drugs to make ends meet.
After the police raided his house, he turned himself in, thinking he would get a lesser sentence because of no priors. However, he was facing a 30-year prison sentence if found guilty, but a judge gave him the choice to attend college instead. Phillips unhesitatingly chose college, which ultimately turned his life around. He discovered that education was the path to finding his purpose.
Though Phillips has faced many hardships in his life, advocates who had his best interest in mind have also given him resources and opportunities. The school-to-prison pipeline had been broken for him — expanding his opportunities and interrupting tragedy. In his book, he addresses how it can be interrupted for countless students across the country, no matter their zip code.
Pre-order “Wrong Lanes Have Right Turns” today at https://michaelphillips.info/preorder. The official book launches on January 25th, 2022.
To learn more about Michael Phillips, his educational initiatives, inquire about bookings, and follow his blog, please visit https://michaelphillips.info/ Follow him on Instagram and Facebook @michaelphillipsofficial. Follow him on Twitter @officialMP74.
About Michael Phillips
Michael Phillips is passionate about helping people live a better life. His determination to drive social change with lasting transformational benefits to society has led Phillips to become an innovator and thought leader in social entrepreneurship and education. He is the founder of LifePrep and currently serves as the Chief Engagement and Fulfillment Officer for the TD Jakes Foundation. As an author and inspirational speaker, Phillips has become a champion for children and families around the world. He is the Chairman of 50CAN, and serves as a board member of KuriosEd. His powerful story and message of collateral hope have transformed many lives and helped to revitalize communities. His Tedx Talk “When Kids Learn on Broken Chairs” has had over a quarter of a million views and counting. Find out more about Michael Phillips at https://michaelphillips.info/ Follow him on Instagram and Facebook @michaelphillipsofficial. Follow him on Twitter @officialMP74.
