Loved one’s Christian faith inspires high school senior, who is celebrated as ‘a symbol of resilience and service.’
By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle
BRISBANE, Australia — Jada Electra Black has a big dream.
The Christian teen would like to serve as prime minister of Australia.
“That’s my goal,” said Black, who attends Redlands College, a K-12 school associated with Churches of Christ. “I want to study law and justice. I want to be a lawyer. But ultimately, I really want to be a politician.”
Mike Shepherd, one of the school’s top administrators, praises the 16-year-old aspiring world leader as “a symbol of resilience and service.”
He predicts a bright future for her, regardless of whether she ever lives at The Lodge in Canberra or the Kirribilli House in Sydney — the two official residences for the nation’s prime minister.
Despite losing her 40-year-old mother, Alicia, to cancer in 2021, Black has stayed active in spiritual life activities and community service projects.
“Known for her empathetic nature, she has become a beloved and influential figure, especially following the personal adversity of losing her mother,” Shepherd wrote in nominating Black for the 2024 Redlands Coast Australia Day Awards. “This experience has profoundly shaped her commitment to positively impacting those around her.”
Nikki Coker, who teaches biology at the 1,440-student school, echoes Shepherd’s assessment.
“When you meet students, sometimes straight off the bat you just see something special,” said Coker, a member of The Point Church of Christ in the Brisbane area. “When she came into the class, she was always very aware of others. And she is very kind and thoughtful.”
This story appears in the February edition of The Christian Chronicle.
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Photo by Audrey Jackson
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