to the Crossing Over Press Kit!

PUBLISHING Presents
A Tribute to Don Raymond
by Glenn A. Singleton
New Orleans, LA-April-2011 – CROSSING OVER, A tribute to
Don Raymond a new book written by author Glenn Singleton,
published by Morganhill Publishing, is the extraordinary tale of
the life and memory of Don Raymond, Louisiana’s first AfricanAmerican high school athlete to become a four sport letterman
and be selected to the Louisiana all-state high school football
team. At the age of 14, he became the first black student athlete
to integrate St. Charles Parish School System Athletic Department.
The foreword is written by George Taliaferro, the first African-American
Football Player Drafted into the National Football League (NFL), when asked about
his contribution to CROSSING OVER, he states, “Can you imagine what a monumental task Don Raymond
undertook as a teenager and achieved before the sixteenth year of his life? Mr. Glenn Singleton has painstakingly
researched and documented this epic achievement in glorious detail. I am honored to write the Foreword. I have
been there.”
Don Raymond attended Hahnville High School in St. Charles Parish. Tragically, he died at the age of 16.
CROSSING OVER documents his epic account of how his tenacity to achieve athletic and academic perfection
has paved the way for some of the greatest athletes to arise out of Louisiana. Ed Reed, Free Safety for the
Baltimore Ravens and graduate of Destrehan High School stated, “The possibility of our success is due
in part to the selfless acts of others. CROSSING OVER has introduced me to one of those giants on whose
shoulders I stand.”
CROSSING OVER captures the hearts of its readers as you journey through the historic accounts and details of
the desegregation of Hahnville High School athletics through the power of one. “The 1960’s were times of racial
tension and frequent violence in schools across the nation. Locally, no one person had a greater effect toward
accomplishing peaceful segregation then the sixteen-year old athlete, Don Raymond.” Harry T. Lemmon,
Justice, Supreme Court of Louisiana, Retired
In an age in which “first” are still being documented in America; and Louisiana has been recognized as the home
of sports world champions, CROSSING OVER is timely and relevant! “Whether an athlete or not, CROSSING
OVER is a must read for the enrichment of our own humanity. There is a lesson for us all in the poignant story of
Don Raymond.” Laron Byrd, Wide Receiver, University of Miami and graduate of Destrehan High School.
CROSSING OVER, A Tribute to Don Raymond will be released on May 28 at an official book signing in
Luling, Louisiana. The entire community and surrounding parishes are invited to attend. Proceeds from the sale
of CROSSING OVER, A TRIBUTE TO DON RAYMOND, go to benefit Crossing Over Youth Foundation
(COYF), a non-profit organization that strives to provide financial scholarships to help underprivileged youth
with dreams of pursuing careers in the athletic industry.
CROSSING OVER is published in paperback (ISBN 978-0-9826471-1-0) and will be available for an e-book
download. CROSSING OVER cost $15.00. For more information about purchasing CROSSING OVER, please
visit www.Morganhillpublishing.com or contact Jessica Blount at 504.484.9032.
Praise for
George Taliferro
First African American Football Player
Drafted into the National Football League (NFL)
“Can you imagine what a monumental task Don Raymond undertook as a
teenager and achieved before the sixteenth year of his life? Mr. Glenn Singleton
has painstakingly researched and documented this epic achievement in glorious
detail.I am honored to write the Foreword. I have been there.”
Dione Morgan, CEO & Publisher, Morganhill
“Crossing Over is the fascinating tale of tenacity and perservearance in the face of
adversity. It’s the ‘not-forgotten’, legendary journey of a life destined to change
the face of history and set the platform for future and greater achievements
of race relations in America. It’s the story of triump through tragedy and we
[Morganhill] are privileged to help Glenn Singleton bring Don Raymond’s story
to the world.”
Judge Edward A. Dufresne, Jr.
Chief Judge, Fifth Circuit Court of Appeal, Louisiana
“During the mid-sixties, I filmed the Hahnville High School football games for the coaches.
I remember Don Raymond being a stand-out player for the Hahnville Tigers and a true
gentleman at school. To be remembered by his classmates and friends after all these years
shows the respect his classmates and teammates had for him.”
Harry T. Lemmon, Justice, Supreme Court of Louisiana, Retired
“The 1960’s were times of racial tension and frequent violence in schools across the nation.
Locally, no one person had a greater effect toward accomplishing peaceful segregation
then the sixteen-year old athlete, Don Raymond. During my early years as an attorney
in St. Charles Parish in the 1960’s I had the privelage of representing Alfred and Vera
Raymond on some minor matters. While I knew several of the Raymond children, I only
knew Don by his athletic achievements. But the combined athletic achievements and the
outstanding character of this young man had a phenominal significance on easing racial
tension in the community. Don’s untimely death made his legacy even more unforgettable.
It is fitting that the story of this young man, but great, man be preserved in this book.”
Mary Ann Vial Lemmon
United States District Judge, Eastern District of Louisiana
“Early on in Don Raymond’s athletic days at HHS he was widely reputed to be a champion
for promoting race relation. When he died, the entire community grieved for the young
athlete, the first African American to compete in sports at Hahnville High. It is fitting
and thrilling to know his legacy is being captured in Glenn Singleton’s book.”
Ed Reed
Praise for
Free Safety, Baltimore Ravens
Destrehan High School, Louisiana
“The possibility of our success is due in part to the selfless acts of others… Crossing
Over has introduced me to one of those giants on whose shoulders I stand. Don
Raymond, thank you for your courage, compassion, and endurance.”
Maya LaGrange, Junior
Destrehan High School, Louisiana
“Crossing Over speaks to the infinite power of young people to open the minds
of the most hardened in our society. Don Raymond’s life is a shining example of
that which we should emulate to further our common goal of living peacefully
together.”
LaRon Byrd,
Wide Receiver, Univeristy of Miami
Destrehan High School, Louisiana
“Whether an athlete or not, Crossing Over is a must read for the enrichment of our own
humanity. There is a lesson for us all in the poignant story of Don Raymond.”
Darius Reynaud
Wide Receiver, New York Giants
Hahnville High School, Louisiana
“As a student at Hahnville High School I participated in the track meet named in honor of
Don Raymond. At the time, I didn’t know or understand the significance of Don Raymond,
or the path he paved for people like myself. Crossing Over, A Tribute To Don Raymond gave
me an opportunity to understand the doors that were opened for me as a track and football
althlete as well as a student at Hahnville High School. I give thanks to star athlete, Don
Raymond. He may be gone, but he is not forgotten.
Floyd Keith
Executive Director, Black Coaches and Administrators
“Glenn Singleton has captured the true meaning of struggle, perseverance and the rewards of
achievement in this extraordinary account of the inspiring life of Don Raymond in Crossing
Over, A Tribute to Don Raymond. This is a chronicle of integration and a young black male’s
willingness to overcome obstacles and leave a legacy of positive influence on the landscape
of athletics in the state of Louisiana. As the Executive Director for Black Coaches and
Administrators (BCA), the mantra of our membership and association is one of equality,
education, participation and the assurance of opportunities for youth through sport. The
BCA realizes the impact of this story on any and all readers. Don Raymond’s journey will
inspire all who read it to become the very best they can be!.”
Meet the
Author
Glenn A. Singleton
Glenn A. Singleton is a native of Ama, a small, country
town located on the outskirts of New Orleans, Louisiana.
Singleton remembers being compassionate about real life
biographies such as, Brian’s Song, The Jackie Robinson
Story and Remember the Titans. These awesome
documentaries that captured real-life heroes, were and
are the inspiration behind his twenty-year journey to
Crossing Over, A Tribute to Don Raymond. Inspired to
take on the daunting task of documenting the tale of
his big brother’s best friend, Don Raymond, Singleton
has accurately detailed the tale of a legend. Glenn A.
Singleton is a graduate of Hahnville High School. In
1980, Singleton experienced a terrible house fire and lost
most of his possessions, including his Don Raymond
keepsakes. Since 1980, Singleton has been journaling
the memories of Don Raymond. What was orginally
intended to be a journal of memories for his brother
Larry, has now become Crossing Over.
Singleton has been recognized by Muhammad Ali as his
“best” fan and takes pride in his state of the art Muhammad
Ali Museum he has built in Ama, Louisiana. He also enjoys
giving time to St. Mark’s Perpetual Adoration Chapel and
he spends most of his time with family at home in Ama.
Proceeds from the sale of Crossing Over:
A Tribute to Don Raymond, go to benefit
Crossing Over Youth Foundation
(COYF), a non-profit organization that
strives to provide financial scholarships to help
underprivileged youth with dreams of pursuing careers in
the athletic industry. Through donations, we provide the opportunity for the community
to invest in the health, success and lives of youth that need help to pursue their athletic
dreams. In addition, we provide grant opportunities to further programming of
organizations with missions akin to that of COYF. We believe children’s athletic dreams
should not be hindered due to financial reasons.
Morganhill is on a mission to help people, companies and organizations
make their dreams become reality. We combine great service with
*unbeatable* dedication to ensure quality products at affordable prices.
We specialize in services that help individuals turn ordinary projects
into extraordinary masterpieces through the use of graphic design,
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“It’s your call! Let us help you make it unforgettable...
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For More information or to Pre-order your copy of Crossing Over, visit www.MorganhillPME.com