By Dr. Elizabeth Christian
Former professional baseball player, Chris Singleton, will be the keynote speaker for Louisiana College’s 5th Annual Values & Ethics Series, Nov. 4-5.
Singleton, whose mother Sharonda Coleman Singleton, was murdered in the Charleston, South Carolina racially charged mass shooting at the Mother Emanuel AME Church in 2015, has been traveling the country speaking to organizations over the last few years with a message of love and forgiveness.
Singleton, a Charleston Southern University alumnus like LC President Dr. Rick Brewer, will speak virtually Nov. 5 at 11 a.m. as the final speaker in this year’s series: “The Gospel Response to Racism in the 21st Century.”
“Each speaker brings a unique perspective to this program, which annually offers a biblical approach to key issues of our life and times,” Brewer said. “Singleton has turned a terrible tragedy into an amazing testimony of God’s love and forgiveness.”
Singleton inspired his city and the nation by forgiving the man who murdered his mother. Now Chris’s mission in life is simple: Help others overcome the unthinkable adversity and spread unity in every environment he can.
“I am quite excited about our values and ethics series this year,” said Dr. Joshua Joy Dara, Associate Vice President for Engagement and Enrichment. “The gospel response to racism in the 21st century is a very timely subject matter. Racism is not a skin problem. It is a sin problem, and that is why the gospel is the main tool to fix it. I strongly believe there will be no racial reconciliation apart from the gospel of Jesus Christ. Racial reconciliation is the vision of God, it is the work of God, and we cannot accomplish it without the help of God.”
The Values & Ethics Series will begin Wednesday evening, Nov. 4 at 6 p.m. in Guinn Auditorium with guest speakers, Louisiana Sen., Katrina Jackson and Alexandria physician, Dr. Greg Bevels.
Jackson, a Monroe native, earned her Juris Doctorate from Southern University in Baton Rouge in 2004. She first ran for the 16th State Seat in the House of Representatives and served until she ran for and was elected to District 34 of the State Senate.
Bevels, a family medicine specialist in Alexandria, has been in practice two decades and is active in the CENLA community.
Bevels and Jackson will speak in person on Wednesday. Social distancing and masks will be required of attendees. Thursday, Singleton will appear virtually.
“I am grateful to the leadership of our college for being so bold to step to the frontline and put our faith on display about the issues of our times,” Dara said. “I appreciate Dr. Brewer’s heart on the question of race relations. I hope that our values and ethics series this year will set a different tone and create a divine reset on the matter. Our nation has tried political reset, social reset, and economic reset. What we need is a kingdom reset, which will come from the gospel of Jesus Christ.”
The link to watch virtually will be available via LC social media and lacollege.edu prior to the event.
