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Chris Singleton

Chris Singleton (born July 5, 1996) is an American author, motivational speaker, and former player best known for his advocacy of forgiveness, resilience, and combating racism in the wake of his mother's murder during the 2015 . Born and raised in , Singleton was an 18-year-old freshman at pursuing a career when tragedy struck on June 17, 2015. His mother, Sharonda Coleman-Singleton, a pastor at the , was one of nine Black parishioners killed by white supremacist during a study session in a racially motivated . The following day, Singleton publicly forgave Roof during a televised news conference, becoming the first family member of a to do so and drawing national attention for his stance on love over hate. Prior to the shooting, Singleton had been a standout athlete, playing for Charleston Southern University as a freshman in 2015. In 2017, he was selected by the Chicago Cubs in the 19th round of the MLB Draft (585th overall pick) and played professionally in their minor league system, including stints with the and , before being released in 2019. Following his baseball career, Singleton transformed his personal loss into a platform for inspiration, speaking annually to over 100 organizations and 50,000 students on themes of overcoming adversity, , and racial . He has authored several , including the award-winning children's Different: A Story About Loving Your Neighbor (2021), which has been translated into over 20 languages and endorsed by The , Baseball Around the World (2022), and Love Your Neighbor (2025), all receiving starred reviews for their messages of and unity. A devoted family man, he is married to his high school sweetheart Mariana and is father to three children, continuing to reside in where he promotes and anti-hate initiatives.

Early life and education

Family background

Chris Singleton was born on July 5, 1996, in the United States, and grew up in the Charleston, South Carolina, area. As the oldest of three siblings, he was raised primarily by his single mother, Sharonda Coleman-Singleton, alongside his younger sister Camryn and brother Caleb. His father struggled with alcoholism and was frequently absent due to incarceration, though Singleton has described him as supportive and a "good dad" during the times he was present. Sharonda Coleman-Singleton, born on September 24, 1969, in , relocated to after high school graduation in 1987, seeking better opportunities; she earned a in speech pathology and from and later a master's from . A dedicated , she worked multiple roles to support her family, including as a speech-language pathologist in public schools, a girls' coach at Goose Creek High School from 2008 to 2015, and a youth pastor at Emanuel AME Church, while also taking on freelance jobs. Her Newark roots endowed her with "street smarts," which she drew upon to navigate challenges and provide for her children despite the demands of her professions. Sharonda instilled strict academic standards in her children, famously declaring "no C's allowed" to emphasize excellence and high achievement. She promoted values of hard work, faith, resilience, and unity across racial lines through her community leadership and church involvement, often mentoring youth and fostering interracial connections in her roles. Her unwavering dedication shaped Singleton's upbringing, encouraging him to excel in school and athletics while prioritizing family bonds and moral fortitude.

Academic and athletic development

Singleton attended Goose Creek High School in , where he graduated in 2014. His mother, Sharonda Coleman-Singleton, a speech pathologist and girls' track coach at the school, instilled high academic expectations, prohibiting grades below a B and emphasizing discipline in both studies and athletics. This influence fostered a strong , as she held her children to rigorous standards while balancing multiple jobs to support the family. Early in his youth, Singleton participated in various sports, including track, where his mother's background as a former 400-meter hurdler at provided direct coaching and inspiration. However, he soon shifted his primary focus to , becoming a standout in the sport alongside at Goose Creek. As a senior in 2014, he earned All-State honors in , batting .417 and leading his team in hits and RBIs, while also securing two-time All-Region selections in both and during his junior and senior years. These achievements highlighted his athletic versatility and dedication, shaped by family values of perseverance. Singleton continued his education and athletics at , a private Christian institution in . Receiving an , he balanced rigorous coursework with Division I demands, maintaining strong academic performance in line with his mother's expectations. Singleton completed his from in May 2025. His pre-tragedy aspirations centered on a career, driven by a deep Christian faith—rooted in family teachings—and a commitment to excellence.

Emanuel AME church shooting

The 2015 incident

On June 17, 2015, a occurred at the Mother Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in , during a weekly study session. The perpetrator, 21-year-old , a self-avowed white supremacist, entered the church and opened fire on the group of approximately 12 African American parishioners, killing nine and injuring one in a racially motivated . Among the victims was Sharonda Coleman-Singleton, a 45-year-old assistant pastor at the church, who was a longtime member and actively participated in the study that evening. The Emanuel AME Church, commonly known as Mother Emanuel, holds significant historical importance as one of the oldest black congregations in the United States, with roots tracing back to 1791 when enslaved and free first organized for worship. Established formally in 1816 as part of the African Methodist denomination, it became a central hub for the black community in the , enduring challenges including the slave rebellion plot in 1822, which led to its temporary closure, and serving as a symbol of resilience during the Civil Rights era. The 2015 shooting drew widespread national media attention, highlighting ongoing issues of racial violence and prompting discussions on and hate crimes. Roof was arrested the following day in after a and confessed to the FBI, admitting his intent to ignite a race war. In federal court, he was convicted in 2016 on 33 charges, including hate crimes and obstruction of religious exercise by force, and sentenced to death on , 2017; he pleaded guilty in state court in April 2017, resulting in nine consecutive life sentences. These convictions and sentences have been upheld on appeal, including by the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in August 2025. The incident's immediate aftermath included enhanced security measures at houses of worship nationwide and contributed to the removal of the Confederate flag from the grounds. At the time of the shooting, Chris Singleton, then an 18-year-old freshman at , was not present at the ; his , Sharonda Coleman-Singleton, had been attending the Bible study as part of her pastoral duties.

Immediate personal impact

On June 17, 2015, Chris Singleton, then an 18-year-old freshman at , received a phone call shortly after a baseball game informing him of a at Emanuel AME , prompting him to rush to the scene. Upon arrival, a woman from the told him his , Rev. Sharonda Coleman-Singleton, had been shot, and he initially hoped it was a minor injury, stating, "Maybe she got shot in her hand or her leg. But there’s no way in the world someone took my away from me." It was soon confirmed that she was among the nine victims killed in the racially motivated attack. As the oldest sibling, Singleton bore the immediate responsibility of notifying his younger sister , aged 15, and brother , aged 12, of their mother's , a task that deepened the family's collective shock. In the ensuing days, the siblings spent nights crying together, grappling with the sudden void left by their mother, who had been both a and a high track coach. Singleton helped coordinate funeral arrangements, with his mother's service held on June 25, 2015, at Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church in North , amid intense scrutiny that thrust the family into the national spotlight. The emotional toll manifested in profound initial struggles, including anger over his inability to protect his —he later reflected, "I’d give anything to have been able to protect her the way she protected me"—and overwhelming that caused him to lose 10 pounds in the first week from forgetting to eat. This disruption extended to his college and athletic life, as he briefly paused activities and considered quitting the sport entirely to remain close to his siblings, though he returned to play just 13 days later. Amid the personal devastation, Singleton and his family received an early outpouring of condolences from the Emanuel AME Church community, , and national figures, including President , which provided initial emotional scaffolding and foreshadowed his emerging narrative of resilience.

Response to tragedy

Public forgiveness

Just days after the June 17, 2015, Emanuel AME Church shooting in , Chris Singleton, then 18 years old, made his first public statement on during an interview with local affiliate WCBD at Southern University's baseball field. He explicitly stated that he would forgive , the shooter who killed his mother, Rev. Sharonda Coleman-Singleton, along with eight others, emphasizing, "Love is always stronger than hate" and adding, "If we just love the way my Mom would, the hate won’t be anywhere close to what love is." This declaration, delivered less than 24 hours after the tragedy, positioned Singleton as a voice of resilience amid profound loss. Singleton's words drew immediate national media attention, portraying him as the first family member of a victim to publicly forgive Roof, in contrast to the varied responses from other families, some of whom expressed forgiveness during Roof's bond hearing the following day while others focused on justice and grief. His interview was featured on CNN the next day, June 19, 2015, where anchor Brianna Keilar highlighted Singleton's poise and the loss of his mother, amplifying his message of love over hate across broadcasts. Coverage in outlets like The New York Times soon followed, framing the collective acts of forgiveness from families like Singleton's as a profound response rooted in faith, though his early, personal expression stood out for its immediacy and youthfulness. The motivations behind Singleton's forgiveness were deeply tied to his Christian and the teachings of his , who had instilled in him values of and as a and educator. In early interviews, he reflected on these influences. He shared that his 's emphasis on loving others regardless of differences shaped his resolve not to let hate define his life or response to the tragedy. This public act of rapidly elevated Singleton's profile, leading to invitations to address local vigils and memorial events in in the ensuing weeks, where he reiterated his message of healing through love and marked the inception of his role as an inspirational figure. His statements resonated widely, fostering discussions on reconciliation and positioning him as a symbol of grace in the face of racial violence.

Transition to public speaking

Following his public expression of forgiveness in the wake of the 2015 Emanuel AME Church shooting, Chris Singleton chose to channel his grief into a mission of inspiration, determined not to allow the tragedy to derail his life or future aspirations. Influenced deeply by his Christian faith and the example of his mother, Rev. Sharonda Coleman-Singleton, he began viewing his personal story as a tool for encouraging others to embrace unity and resilience. This mindset shift was further shaped by motivational figures like , a former player turned speaker, whose videos Singleton watched and credited with inspiring him to pursue as a way to transform pain into purpose. Singleton's early speaking opportunities emerged organically in late 2015 and 2016, primarily through unpaid or low-key events at local churches, school assemblies, and community forums in and surrounding areas, where he shared his experiences to foster dialogue on and racial . By age 19, around 2016, he secured his first paid engagements, often at youth-focused gatherings, as demand grew from organizations seeking his perspective on overcoming adversity. These initial talks allowed him to test and refine his narrative, drawing on the immediate aftermath of to connect with audiences on an emotional level. As Singleton honed his skills largely through self-taught trial and error—preparing notes for structure but relying on authentic, heartfelt delivery—he began incorporating recurring themes such as "love is always stronger than hate," which became a cornerstone of his message and resonated widely in early audiences. His foundational approach remained rooted in personal vulnerability rather than polished performance. Concurrently, he balanced these nascent speaking commitments with his obligations at , using athletic analogies—like comparing resilience to enduring a tough —to make his insights relatable and bridge his dual worlds of sports and advocacy.

Baseball career

College years

Singleton enrolled at in 2014, where he joined the Buccaneers team as a . During his freshman season in 2015, he appeared in 50 games, batting .245 with 39 hits, 13 RBIs, and 17 runs scored, contributing to the team's outfield defense while adapting to collegiate play. The Emanuel AME church shooting in June 2015, which claimed his mother's life, profoundly affected Singleton just after his freshman year. Supported by his family, he returned to in the fall of 2015 as a coping mechanism, using the sport to process his and maintain focus. In his sophomore season of 2016, he emerged as a key contributor, starting in 52 games and batting .332 with 64 hits, 34 RBIs, 28 runs, and 8 stolen bases, helping lead to improved offensive performance. As a junior in 2017, Singleton solidified his role as a , starting all 51 games in center field and batting .276 with 56 hits, 21 RBIs, 38 runs scored, and a team-high 18 stolen bases. His consistent production and speed on the bases that year positioned him for opportunities, culminating in his selection by the Chicago Cubs in the 19th round (585th overall) of the 2017 MLB Draft.

Professional playing and post-playing roles

Following his successful college career at , Singleton was selected by the Chicago Cubs in the 19th round (585th overall) of the 2017 MLB June Amateur Draft. He signed with the organization for a $100,000 bonus and began his professional career that summer. Singleton's minor league tenure spanned two seasons across Cubs affiliates, primarily as an outfielder. In 2017, he debuted with the rookie-level Arizona League Cubs (AZL Cubs), where he batted .304 in 12 games, before advancing to the short-season Class A , posting a .185 over 27 games. The following year, 2018, he spent the full season with the Class A , appearing in 107 games with a .223 , four home runs, 28 RBIs, and 12 stolen bases. Overall, in 146 minor league games, Singleton hit .222 with six home runs, 44 RBIs, and 23 stolen bases, reaching but not advancing beyond full-season Class A. Singleton faced increasing challenges in the competitive system, including the demands of balancing his emerging commitments with obligations, which contributed to his decision to step away after being released by the Cubs organization on March 23, 2019. In a video announcement, he confirmed the end of his , expressing for the while prioritizing his inspirational work. Transitioning seamlessly from the field, Singleton joined the —Cubs' Class A affiliate at the time of his draft—as Director of Community Outreach in April 2019, serving in the role until 2024. In this role, he led youth programs, organized community events such as the "Read Around the Bases" initiative with local schools, and partnered with churches to promote attendance and unity, often incorporating his message of resilience and forgiveness from the 2015 Emanuel AME church shooting. His efforts included hosting Play Ball events at historic sites like Mother Emanuel AME Church, fostering community healing through .

Speaking and writing career

Key speaking themes and engagements

Chris Singleton's speaking engagements center on themes of overcoming adversity, fostering racial unity, practicing , and leading through love, often weaving in his personal experiences from the 2015 Emanuel AME church shooting alongside metaphors drawn from his baseball career to illustrate and . He emphasizes teaching love in workplaces and schools, the power of supportive teammates, and the role of faith in personal growth, delivering these messages to inspire audiences to choose unity over division. Since establishing his professional speaking career in 2018, Singleton has conducted over 100 engagements annually, reaching more than 50,000 students and educators each year through talks at schools, colleges, and non-profits. His clients include major corporations such as , , and ; sports organizations like the and Houston Texans; and various churches and educational institutions. Notable appearances include his 2022 TEDxCharleston talk, "The Story Behind The Stance," where he discussed , , and unity in the face of tragedy, viewed by thousands online. Other highlights encompass keynotes at the Conference and recommendations from the for his inspirational work. Singleton's speaking format evolved during the , shifting to virtual events in 2020 and beyond—such as a 2022 virtual series for the Discovery Education Community—to maintain global outreach, before resuming in-person deliveries. His message has extended internationally, impacting audiences in over 20 countries through both live and digital platforms. High-profile endorsements, including praise from NBA star Steph Curry who described Singleton as "young, spirit led and knows he has a higher purpose," have amplified his reach. These engagements have garnered positive feedback for promoting unity, with audiences reporting increased motivation to address racial divides and personal challenges; for instance, speaker bureaus note his 5.0 rating from clients, highlighting his ability to inspire actionable change in diverse groups. Since 2018, Singleton's talks have collectively addressed hundreds of thousands, establishing him as a leading voice on love-driven .

Published works

Chris Singleton has authored several children's books that extend his messages of unity, , and cultural appreciation, often drawing from his personal experiences and themes. His debut publication, Different: A Story About Loving Your Neighbor, released in 2020, is a aimed at young readers, emphasizing that differences in , , , and other traits are beautiful and that is stronger than hate. Dedicated to his late mother, Sharonda Coleman-Singleton, the book promotes and neighborly through a inspired by Singleton's life. Self-published under his own imprint, it achieved best-seller status in its category and received starred reviews for its heartfelt approach. The title has been translated into over 20 languages and distributed internationally, and it was recommended by the as essential reading for families discussing racial unity. In 2021, Singleton published Your Life Matters through Bushel & Peck Books, a motivational picture book for Black youth that highlights figures from Black history—such as artists, athletes, and leaders—to affirm self-worth and encourage standing against racial adversity. Illustrated by Taylor Barron, it features vignettes where historical heroes mentor contemporary children, reinforcing themes of empowerment and value amid systemic challenges. The book earned starred reviews for its affirming message and has been widely adopted in educational settings, including school readings and curricula focused on Black history and social justice. Singleton's third book, Around the World: How the World Plays the Game, co-authored with Dean Burrell and released in 2022 by Bushel & Peck Books, explores the global reach of through stories of players, customs, and cultures. Aimed at children aged 7-12, it highlights how the sport unites diverse nations, from to , while subtly weaving in lessons on and drawn from Singleton's background. The book received positive reviews, including a five-star rating from Readers' Favorite for its engaging, educational tone, and starred reviews overall. In 2023, released Black History Heroes: Chadwick Boseman: King of : A Hero On and Off the Screen as part of his Black History Heroes series published by & Peck Books, a for ages 8-10 that celebrates Boseman's life, achievements in film, and role as a for Black youth, emphasizing resilience and cultural pride. This was followed in 2024 by Black History Heroes: Mae Jemison: Shooting for the Stars: The First Black Woman in Space, another installment in the series, focusing on Jemison's groundbreaking career as an and to inspire young readers on and overcoming barriers. Singleton's most recent book, Love Your Neighbor, published in May 2025 by Bushel & Peck Books and co-written with Ryan G. Van Cleave and illustrated by Jayri , is a that reinforces themes of , , and loving others regardless of differences, building on his foundational message from Different. Singleton's writing process blends personal reflection with collaborative illustration, transitioning from his first book to partnering with Bushel & Peck for subsequent titles to broaden distribution. He often promotes his works during speaking tours, integrating readings to reinforce his core messages of forgiveness and inclusion.

Personal life and legacy

Family and relationships

Chris Singleton married his high school sweetheart, Mariana Singleton (née De Andrade), on February 19, 2019, in a ceremony broadcast live on Lifetime Television's My Great Big Live Wedding with . The couple, who met as students at Goose Creek High School near , had been together for several years prior to their engagement, navigating significant personal challenges including the 2015 loss of Singleton's mother. Singleton is a father to three children: son Chris Jr., born in late 2017; son Kaden, born around 2021; and daughter Zariah, born on July 6, 2023. His approach to draws from the values instilled by his , Sharonda Coleman-Singleton, emphasizing , , and family unity in the face of adversity. Singleton has shared that fatherhood motivates him to model and love, lessons shaped by his own experiences of , as he seeks to provide his children with the stability he helped foster for his younger siblings after their parents' deaths. The family resides in , where Singleton balances his demanding speaking schedule—often involving extensive travel—with home life. Mariana plays a key role in managing the household during his absences, allowing Singleton to focus on his motivational work while maintaining family closeness upon return. Singleton maintains a close bond with his younger siblings, sister Camryn and brother Caleb, forged through shared grief following the loss of their mother in the 2015 Emanuel AME Church shooting and their father's subsequent death. The siblings, who grew up faster than most due to these tragedies, continue to support one another, often drawing on their mother's emphasis on to navigate personal growth and family responsibilities.

Community involvement and influence

Singleton has been actively involved in through his role in community outreach programs, particularly with the , where he organizes initiatives like Play Ball events to provide equipment and activities to underserved , fostering and in local communities. These efforts include distributing bat-and-ball sets and hosting events at significant sites, such as the Mother Emanuel AME Church parking lot in 2021, to promote racial reconciliation and peace among young participants. His work extends to via school visits and reading programs, where he shares messages of love and , drawing from his experiences to inspire children toward positive choices and community building. In activism, Singleton advocates for gun violence prevention, transforming the personal tragedy of his mother's death in the 2015 Emanuel AME Church shooting into a broader mission to combat such epidemics through public engagement and partnerships with organizations like Brady United. He promotes racial reconciliation by traveling nationwide to address racism's roots, emphasizing forgiveness and unity as antidotes to hate, as demonstrated by his support for Buffalo's Black community following the 2022 Tops supermarket shooting, where he offered empathy and spoke at local schools to encourage cross-cultural love. Singleton participated in the 10-year anniversary commemoration of the Emanuel AME shooting on June 17, 2025, reflecting publicly on its enduring lessons for eradicating racial violence and gun access issues while preaching hope amid national polarization. Among his awards and honors, Singleton has been recognized as an award-winning author, with all his books receiving starred reviews and his work Different: A Story About Loving Your Neighbor highlighted by The Obama Foundation for its global impact on promoting neighborly love. He has earned acclaim as a leading inspirational speaker, particularly in faith-based circles, including a featured appearance at the 2025 Lake Junaluska ENCOUNTER Youth Retreat, where his message of unshakeable faith and forgiveness was celebrated for guiding young audiences. Singleton's broader legacy lies in his profound influence on students and communities, having reached over 100,000 educators and youth worldwide with messages that have sparked personal transformations and policy discussions on and , though he notes a recent decline in engagements due to reduced support for such programs. His efforts are evidenced by stories of individuals adopting his ethos of , such as students embracing in diverse settings, and have contributed to heightened of racial healing in affected areas like . Central to this mission is Singleton's faith, which he credits as the guiding force behind his of the shooter—prompted by what he describes as the Holy Spirit's influence—and his ongoing commitment to love as a counter to hate. He briefly references his books and speeches as essential tools in amplifying this faith-driven impact across generations.

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