endorsements

“This highly informative book was written by a very special father-son team, Arthur and Calvin Affleck .Inspired by the honest conversations they had on the best path for Calvin's education, they urge all young people to talk openly with the adults in their lives about which of the many ways to obtain an education is the best one for them. College is one of many paths to becoming an educated person. If a college education is one's chosen path, the Affleck 's advise students to select one that meets their academic, budget, and location preferences, and has a demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, accessibility and inclusion.”

“If you are a young person or you know a young person who is planning for college or who is in college, then CONVERSATIONS: About Education, Careers and Life, is a must read for them and you. This book provides important insights and a road map for moving from high school to college and beyond, with intention and a commitment to overcome obstacles in pursuit of a life of productivity, meaning and happiness. Having led a university and a national organization dedicated to developing leaders, promoting brotherhood and academic excellence, I highly recommend this important book.”

“This book is filled with practical and very sound advice about how to select, get into, pay for and make the most of college. CONVERSATIONS: About Education, Careers and Life, also provides inspiration and information for those young people seeking other ways to develop career and life skills. Importantly, Arthur and his son also offer insights and viable options beyond college and for lifelong learning and training.  As the CEO of a culturally-sensitive and inclusive organization that is dedicated to providing proven systems to support young males of color who embark upon and complete post-secondary education, I enthusiastically recommend this book.”

“CONVERSATIONS: About Education, Careers and Life lifts up a critically important dialogue that young adults and their advocates should be having about the best post-secondary pathway for them. When and how to pursue education beyond high school with minimal debt should be individualized and connect to the young adult’s passion, purpose and sense of place. As the director of an organization dedicated to supporting young adults who will be among the first in their families to get into college, graduate from college and go far in life, I recommend this book. 

     “It’s rare that ranking academics put their cards on the table. This up-front and candid father and son conversation about real life challenges makes it clear not-every college-bound high schooler wants or needs to enter and graduate from a four-year college to succeed in life. There are numerous hurdles and opportunities in growing up, both acknowledge. 

     The father, who was born into poverty, successfully defeated and cleared the barriers to academic success, and his son, born with a `silver spoon’ and the road to achievement clearly mapped out, talk about why their father-son partnership reached a fork in the road. They talk of  how they made peace with their very different decisions about living as adults.

     For sure, the college sales pitch is as strong as ever. So is the pitch for accepting and respecting the other routes of opportunity and responsibilities of adult life. These conversations make you think of life’s countless challenges and boundless options, regardless of what hurdles appear. This book makes it clear, there are no clear answer in life’s road, regardless of generation. Success is up to you and how you define it.”