A Dedicated Life

David Lawrence Jr., among the country’s best known journalists, subsequently became a leading national advocate for children, especially in the crucial early learning years. The retired publisher of the Miami Herald and the Detroit Free Press now chairs The Children's Movement of Florida, a citizen-led, non-partisan movement to educate political, business and civic leaders -- and parents -- about the urgent need to make the well-being of children, especially in their earliest years, the state’s highest priority. Dave Lawrence speaks all over North America averaging 30 venues a year and will be presenting his book and giving talks in 25 cities starting Fall 2018. His advocacy group has a mailing list of over 15,000 addresses and emails.

#1 New Release in Children's Studies, Educators, and Public Policy ─ Leveling the Playing Field for All Our Young ChildrenReaders of Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson will love Dave Lawrence's A Dedicated Life What are you going to do for the rest of your life? For Dave Lawrence, a brilliant newspaper editor and publisher with a distinguished, three-decade-long journalism career who retired in 1999 at the age of 56, the answer in his words was to dedicate his life to a “newly energized purposefulness: that every child have a real chance to succeed.” The Children’s Movement of Florida: Dave Lawrence, a life-long champion of children, became a leading national advocate for children and was instrumental in founding The Children’s Movement of Florida. Dave Lawrence's Movement is focused on making Florida’s children, especially in their early years, the No. 1 priority for state investment. Jeb Bush, Florida’s 43rd governor from 1999 to 2007 and 2016 presidential candidate: “This special book is the story of a good man who has lived an impressive, fascinating, full life dedicated to his family, his profession, his faith and his service to others, especially the youngest and most vulnerable among us. How he describes the passion, persistence and skills of civic engagement to accomplish these building blocks to success is worth the price of the book.” Bob Graham, Florida’s 38th governor from 1979 to 1987, U.S. senator from Florida from 1987 to 2005, and presidential candidate in 2003: "For more than 40 years, Dave was a journalist, rising from co-editor of his high school newspaper to editor or publisher of several of America’s most distinguished newspapers. At each, he inspired the highest standards of journalism built upon a deep immersion into the communities these newspapers served. But the most lasting impression you’ll have will be of a highly principled man applying his talents and values in a transitioning America."