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Education Is Freedom

The Future Is in Your Hands

Foreword by Stedman Graham
Published by Savio Republic
Distributed by Simon & Schuster

About The Book

Featured by YouTube personality MrBeast and Beast Philanthropy as part of a global campaign to provide ten $10,000 scholarships to students worldwide.

Education Is Freedom is where humanity goes to school.

Democracy across the world is at risk. With the polarization of today’s society, the foundational right to freedom of speech is now being challenged from all sides. The truth is under siege as misinformation and hostility have replaced critical thinking and civil discourse. Our freedom of self-determination has a prerequisite: an informed electorate. If that electorate is armed with false information or is influenced by outside forces, their actions and reactions can put democracy in jeopardy.

Today, more than ever, we must turn to the education, knowledge, and wisdom of each individual to discern right from wrong, truth from fiction, and success from failure. If learning is the key to success, then how can humanity advance its own cause? Our forefathers recognized that an educated populace was the very foundation of democracy. Education Is Freedom is a self-help guide for humanity that allows us to individually and collectively understand the roadmap to freedom.

Humanity must indeed go back to school.

Education Is Freedom provides the “what,” “why,” and “how” of learning. It outlines the importance of education for all mankind, the power of education to change our world, and the wisdom to unlock our personal freedom while preserving our democracy.

Education is the one common denominator that separates those who are free from those who are trapped in their own reality. “Someone can take your money, your material things, your job…but they can’t take away what you know. With knowledge you can replace anything lost, you can be free to explore the world, you are beholden to no one.” Whatever challenges or adversity you face in life, embracing a learning mentality will empower you and set you free.

Education is the future, and education is freedom!

About The Author

James W. Keyes is a global business leader, philanthropist, educator, artist, musician, commercial pilot, and modern renaissance man. He is the former CEO of two internally recognized Fortune 500 companies, 7-Eleven, Inc. and Blockbuster, Inc. His other business interests cover a broad range of industries from retail, consumer products, technology, healthcare, cyber security, new space, energy, and advanced nuclear. He sits on several public company boards and serves as a board adviser to a venture capital firm and a number of start-up companies. Keyes’s philanthropic initiatives have an equally broad focus, including serving a three-term seat on the Board of Governors for the American Red Cross, acting as the former Chairman of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, and serving on the board of directors for institutions such as UT Southwestern Medical School, Cooper Institute, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Dallas Performing Arts Center, SMU Cox School of Business, Columbia Business School, and his alma mater, College of the Holy Cross. He has had a lifelong commitment to education, serving as a founding director of the Dallas Education Foundation and is the founder of the Education Is Freedom Foundation. Keyes is a personification of the American Dream, as he comes from humble beginnings. He was inducted in 2005 as a Member of the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans.

Information on Education is Freedom Foundation (501c3 nonprofit)

The Education is Freedom Foundation was the brainchild of Jim Keyes, then President and CEO of 7-Eleven, Inc., on the simple belief that every young person deserves an opportunity to achieve their full potential. When Jim’s board of directors suggested a cost saving cut to the company philanthropic gift budget, he began looking for ways to show a return on investment on those dollars to preserve the company’s level of giving. Rather than disburse the funds across hundreds of well-intended causes, he identified rising personnel costs and the desire for a diverse workforce as the company’s biggest priorities.

What better way to show a return, but to target philanthropic dollars at public schools where the company could grow its own future store operators. He partnered with other CEO’s including August Busch IV of CEO Anheuser-Busch, Abelardo Bru, CEO of Frito Lay and Jeff Rich, CEO of Affiliated Computer Systems to create the Education is Freedom Foundation. The organization launched at Radio City Music Hall in 2002 with performances by Nelly, the Riverdance Dancers, and a special keynote message from Nelson Mandela who said, “the concept of Education is Freedom will change the world.”

In nearly twenty years since its inception, the foundation has helped nearly 500,000 students find their path to higher education. It has also helped these students raise over $300 million in scholarship money to support their higher education dreams. The first in his family to attend college, Jim was able to leverage his education to ultimately lead two Fortune 500 companies. He remains committed to helping show other less fortunate students the path. Committed to lifelong learning, Jim is an artist, a musician, an athlete, and a professional pilot. He is the embodiment of the phrase, Education is Freedom.

Product Details

  • Publisher: Savio Republic (August 14, 2024)
  • Length: 272 pages
  • ISBN13: 9798888452493

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Raves and Reviews

“Jim Keyes’ book, Education is Freedom, reinforces the idea that education is not merely a privilege but a fundamental human right, a key to unlocking doors of opportunity and a pathway to realizing one's dreams.”

– Martha Fox, Former First Lady of Mexico

“An educated electorate is an absolute prerequisite to the future of democracy. Educación es Libertad!”

– Vicente Fox, Former President of Mexico

“My 2005 Horatio Alger Classmate, Jim Keyes, is a living example of the American Dream. His roadmap to success through lifelong learning will take you to infinity and beyond!"

– Dr. Buzz Aldrin, Brigadier General, Apollo 11

"In his book, Education is Freedom, Jim Keyes has captured the essence of education as the key to unlocking opportunity for all. The book is a must read for young people, providing a roadmap to their learning journey. It is also a reminder for all of us, that lifelong learning is a path to fulfillment. Education is, indeed, a forever commitment."

– Indra Nooyi, Former Chairman & CEO, Pepsico

“My friend Jim Keyes is committed to the service of others. His book, Education is Freedom, is a self-help guide for humanity, reminding each of us of the power of education and lifelong learning to transform lives.”

– Charlie Duke, Brigadier General, Lunar Module Pilot, Apollo 16

"Education is Freedom provides a roadmap to the personal and collective growth of humanity. This book will remind you the infinite possibilities of your life. Education can be the rocket fuel that will propel you to the fulfillment of your dreams."

– Bernard A Harris, Jr., MD Astronaut

"I've always believed that learning is the key to leadership, and Education is Freedom reinforces that belief. Keyes has transformed his own C-Suite Learnings into to a roadmap for personal and professional growth. His insights are a beacon of hope for those who aspire to make a difference in the world."

– John Maxwell, Bestselling author, speaker and leadership expert

Education Is Freedom provides a roadmap for anyone to experience the American Dream. For the individual, education is the key to success. For our country, education is the key to a working democracy. For our world, education is the key to the future of mankind. May this roadmap be your inspiration for a successful flight through life.”

– Barbara Barrett, 25th Secretary of the Air Force

“The key to unlocking our human potential is now brilliantly available thanks to my friend Jim Keyes, who reveals the secrets to unlimited future freedom. Read, use, and share the eclectic wisdom in this must-read book!”

– Mark Victor Hansen, cocreator of The Chicken Soup for the Soul

“James Keyes benefitted from learning music and his instrument at a young age, and he credits music for building his character and leading to his success. But music is a lifetime of learning. I am motivated by the great composers who wrote sometimes hundreds of years ago but continue to touch millions of people and will do so forever. Music helps me explore languages, history, art and culture. Music is self-reflection and a music instrument is a lifelong friend who never betrays you. I applaud Jim’s new book for reminding us that education truly is the most important opportunity we can offer children.”

– Fabio Luisi, Music Director, Dallas Symphony Orchestra, principal conductor, Danish National Symphony Orchestra; chief conductor, NHK Symphony Orchestra

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