Michael Phillips
Social entrepreneur and COO focused on education and economic mobility
Dallas, Texas
Summary
Education equity advocate — Phillips has focused much of his public work on education access and reform, serving on the Maryland State Board of Education, chairing the 50CAN board, speaking about education inequities (TEDx talk) and partnering to bring schools and educational programs into community settings. washingtonpost+3
Social entrepreneur and operator — In his role as COO of T.D. Jakes Enterprises he leads initiatives that combine content, capital and community supports to advance economic mobility for entrepreneurs of color (notably the Good Soil Movement and a national seed-capital pitch competition). dallasinnovates+2
Faith leader and community revitalizer — Former senior pastor who built congregational outreach and community programs in West Baltimore (including bringing Green Street Academy onto the church campus) and who frames his advocacy through faith-based service and local revitalization work. baltimoresun+2
Author and storyteller focused on disrupting the school-to-prison pipeline — Through his memoir and essays, Phillips uses personal narrative plus policy and program recommendations to advocate for systemic change affecting youth and communities. penguinrandomhouse+2
Work
Education
Projects
Writing
Wrong Lanes Have Right Turns: A Pardoned Man's Escape from the School-to-Prison Pipeline and What We Can Do to Dismantle It
January 1, 2022Memoir and call-to-action that recounts the author's experience escaping the school-to-prison pipeline, his reinvention as a pastor and education advocate, and policy and community approaches to interrupting those pathways for youth.
The Spirit of Justice (essay)
January 1, 2020A letter/essay addressing racial injustice and the role of the Church in hearing, healing and pursuing justice; emphasizes empathy, anti-bias and communal responsibility.
21 Trillion Dollar Blind Spot: The High Price of Building Highways to Nowhere
Essay connecting historic infrastructure decisions (e.g., Baltimore's 'Highway to Nowhere') to broader economic exclusion and the economic cost of discrimination; advocates investment and impact approaches to unlock economic potential.