Karl L. W. Singleton

Karl L. W. Singleton was born January 22, 1973, in Newark, New Jersey, the son of Bernadine R. Woodley and the late Karl Woodley. Karl’s educational path included Harrisburg High School, John Harris Campus; University of New Haven; Harrisburg Area Community College (Associate’s Degree); South Carolina State University and Clarion University (Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees). Karl was united in Christian fellowship with Turner Memorial Missionary Baptist Church in Steelton, PA. Karl`s commitment to supporting and advancing the needs of communities while enhancing mutually beneficial relationships remained at the forefront of his professional endeavors. These relationships were established upon understanding the responsibility of serving communities in need of viable resources while simultaneously ensuring tasks were accomplished with fidelity. Since January 3, 2023, he served in a second mayoral administration’s cabinet. Karl served as the Chief Equity and Compliance Officer for the Capital City of Pennsylvania. Karl considered it a distinct honor to be entrusted with cultivating professional environments among community partners and diverse stakeholders for over two decades. Remaining a tireless, proactive voice for intentional inclusivity focused on underrepresented populations, he exemplified stellar integrity in challenging environments. Karl was a sought-after professional throughout the Commonwealth, addressing equity in education, housing, workforce development, and economic development, which was his core focus. During his first appointment to Harrisburg City Government as Senior Advisor to the Mayor from 2014-2018, he championed the 21st Century Policing Recommendations locally driven by President Obama’s My Brother’s Keeper Initiative. Amongst other high points, Karl convened a Regional Disproportionate Minority Contact Committee that assembled Chiefs of Police (from nine municipalities), the District Attorney, and Educators to address the need for healthy and safe communities. His focus on advancing the needs of communities was well-known through his service on various Boards of Directors, including The Boys and Girls Club, The PROGRAM for Female Offenders, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Harrisburg (President), Founding Member of Impact Harrisburg and Founding Member of the Pennsylvania Diversity Coalition. Karl served as Co-Director of Clarion University’s Race Relations Program, Building Bridges, creating forums for open, honest dialogue that encompassed various topics related to cultural awareness and diversity. His experience as an educator was extensive, serving as an Administrator at the Sylvan Heights Science Charter School in Harrisburg for almost a decade. Formerly a Reading Specialist in the Central Dauphin School District, he also served as a Reading Specialist and Behavior Intervention Specialist at Ronald H. Brown Charter School. As a consultant for the Harrisburg City School District, Karl led ongoing proactive student behavior model training for staff as a part of the Schoolwide Positive Behavior Intervention Supports (SW-PBIS) framework, and he was a founder of the Premier Arts and Science Charter School. While at his home in Harrisburg, PA, on Friday, March 14, 2025, Karl departed this life at fifty-two years of age, leaving his family and his community to deeply mourn his loss. Karl was preceded in death by his beloved grandmother, Mary Singleton-Wright; grandfathers, Patsy Wright, Eddie Singleton Sr., and Issac J. Woodley; maternal aunt and uncles, Rose Singleton, Eddie Singleton Jr., and Jeffery Singleton Sr.; and paternal aunts, Barbara Woodley and Linda Woodley. Karl Singleton leaves to honor his outstanding and accomplished legacy: his mother, Bernadine R. Woodley; father-in-love, Stephen K. Holmes; his daughters, Kar`Meisha Singleton, Alexis Singleton-Robinson (Michael), Ashlee Finley; his only son, Karl L. W. Singleton III; sisters, Karsheya Singleton (Henry), Jerrica Woodley, Jessica Eaton (Shanon), Wanda Johnson, Jessica S. Simmons; brother, Stephen Khalil Holmes; grandson, Zion Walker; granddaughter, Zara Fletcher; aunts, Sherry Chandler, Patricia Singleton, Rachelle McRae; uncles, Roger Singleton (Beverly), Pat Singleton; great-uncle, James Shannon; great-aunts, Rosa Moody (Lewis), Bernice Williams; companion, Gina Finley; nephews, Kani Moore Singleton, Ka`Seemh Singleton-Brown, Ka`Mereh Singleton-Brown, Asher Eaton; nieces, Ki`Airah T. Singleton-Green, Ka’Mayah Singleton-Brown, Joy Eaton, JaKadrien Townsend, Katherlyn Stevens; and a host of other family members, associates and friends. FAMILY AND FRIENDS ARE ENCOURAGED TO CLICK ON THE SHARE A MEMORY TAB TO POST VIDEOS, SHARE MEMORIES, CONDOLENCES, REFLECTIONS OR SIMPLY LEAVE YOUR NAME. Memorial gifts in Karl’s honor may be sent to P. O. Box 60382, Harrisburg, PA 17106.

Tributes

Karl L. W. Singleton

January 22, 1973 - March 14, 2025