By Kelly White
Former professional athlete and current inspirational speaker and best-selling author, Chris Singleton brought his message of unity and racial reconciliation to students Tuesday at Independence Jr. High.
While Singleton met in person with sixth- to eighth-graders at the Palos Heights junior high, his talk was live streamed to fifth-graders at Navajo Heights Elementary School in Palos Heights.
“Chris is incredibly relatable as a speaker, as his background and life experiences allow him to make authentic connections with his audience,” District 128 Supt. Merryl Brownlow said. “I believe his message of love being greater than hate, with an emphasis on unity and kindness, along with his ability to persevere through life’s challenges is one that will resonate with our students, particularly as they are navigating their experiences as adolescents.”
Singleton was the district’s keynote speaker at their opening Institute Day for staff members in the fall. After he received a standing ovation, there were multiple requests by staff to bring his message to the district’s students, according to district officials.
“This presentation supports the Portrait of a Learner the district developed as a strategic planning framework, particularly supporting the competencies of perseverance, communication and citizenship,” Brownlow said.
Singleton’s presentation also tied into the district’s focus on kindness during the month of February.
A 19th round pick by the Cubs in the 2017 draft, Singleton spent two seasons playing in the organization’s minor league system reaching as high as Class-A last season. Overall, in 146 minor league games, Singleton hit .222 with 6 homers, 44 RBI and 23 stolen bases.
However, his name was widely recognized prior to the start of his baseball career in 2015 when his mother Sharonda Coleman-Singleton was shot and killed in a racially motivated mass shooting at Mother Emanuel AME church on June 17.
The day following the tragedy, Singleton stood on the field at Charleston Southern, where he had just finished his freshman year as an outfielder for the Buccaneers and said he had forgiven the shooter because love is stronger than hate.
“We cannot control what people do but we can control our response to it,” Singleton said. “I cannot bring my mom back but what I can do is bring people closer together.”
Since then, Singleton has been sharing his message with others, including his belief that God can guide you through any of life’s obstacles. He has shared his message of unity and racial reconciliation with NFL and NBA teams and multiple Fortune 500 companies across the country. He continues to share it with over 100 organizations and over 30,000 students annually.
“I’ve shared this message across the country and it hasn’t been easy, but it hasn’t been hard,” Singleton said. “You never know what someone else is going through so just be kind at all times.”
Singleton reflected on one of his own personal heroes who all shared his same mission of equality, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
“Dr. King’s mission was based on loving people, not judging people by the color of their skin, but rather on the content of their character,” Singleton said. “I often think of Dr. King growing up during segregation and how it was not easy for him to accomplish all that he did.”
King’s powerful mission rests in the Singleton’s heart as he continues on to spread his message to others.
“I want to spread the message of unity across our nation,” Singleton said.
