Ferris State welcomed Chris Singleton, former minor league baseball player, to host a Five Star event last Thursday, Jan. 30 in the UC.
Singleton began the event with what he called, a unique approach. He requested that everyone in the room find someone who was “different,” from them, hug them and tell them “I love you”. Singleton does this exercise due to the early passing of many of his close family members.
As he furthered his talk, he stated that he wants to make an impact while he is young.
“I’m 23 years old, that’s my age, but I share all across this country because I know I got to make an impact right her right now. My life may be halfway over,” Singleton said.
Singletons mother Sharonda was one of nine killed in a shooting at a Charleston, South Carolina Church in June of 2015. It was a racially-motivated attack on the Emanuel African Methodist Church. Singleton, who was 18 at the time, was the oldest of three children.
After his mother’s death, Singleton did not hold it against the man who committed the crime. He started to spread the word of love rather than hate.
Taylor Funari, event coordinator for Entertainment Unlimited thinks it’s great that Singleton does these talks and spreads awareness, that you can forgive and that forgiveness is more important than hatred, regardless of race or culture.
Despite Singleton’s mother passing, his pursuit for baseball did not stop. He went on to be drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 19th round of the 2017 Major League draft. Continuing baseball for two years with the South Bend Cubs, Eugene Emeralds and the AZL Cubs, Singleton ended his career in the spring of 2019.
Singleton now spends his time speaking about his past hardships and his journey through life thus far.
“I’m looking to learn something, hear what Chris has to say and I’m open to anything he has” Senior Business Administration major, Brent Baker said. Singleton adopted the role of using his motivation to continue helping others. He lives his life by five numbers, coordinating back to the day of his mother’s death.
One for the man who walked into the church that day with anger, 70 for the amount of shots taken, 50 plus bullets entered bodies, nine people passed away and 1 of those was his mother.