Dr. Charles L. Shannon III sees himself as a man on a divine mission.

That’s why the 60-year-old Richmond resident, pastor and nonprofit CEO says he is honored to chair the state and local committees organizing the 20th anniversary commemoration of the Million Man March.

The march will take place Oct. 10 on the National Mall in Washington.

“I chose to become involved because I wanted to continue pursuing my divine destiny of being an agent of love and light for black people’s achievement of freedom, justice and equality in the now,” says Dr. Shannon.

His latest volunteer role dovetails his everyday duties. He serves as pastor of Mount Level Baptist Church in Amelia County and is CEO of the Richmond-based Faith Leaders Moving Forward, a nonprofit dedicated to fostering economic self-determination for African-Americans and other minority groups.

The 20th anniversary commemorative event is themed “Justice or Else” and is designed to build on the original Million Man March that was held Oct. 16, 1995, in Washington.

More than a million black men gathered to declare their right to justice, to “atone for their failure as men and to accept responsibility as the family head,” Dr. Shannon explains.

“We’re returning to Washington to divinely and strategically demand justice, our God-given birthright,” he adds. “This is a movement. We want justice. We want equal justice under law. We want justice applied equally regardless to creed, class or color.”

Dr. Shannon says he accepted the dual leadership positions for the anniversary march after hearing Minister Louis Farrakhan, leader of the Nation of Islam, who organized the original march and is leading the anniversary event.

He said Minister Tracy Muhammad of Muhammad Mosque #24 in Richmond invited him to the June 1 meeting with Minister Farrakhan that was attended by about 250 other people of “diverse cultures.”

The Washington event will occur on Dr. Shannon’s birthday, “which is additional evidence for me that our Creator sent me to earth for this assignment as well,” he said.

Here’s a look at this week’s Personality, Dr. Charles L. Shannon III:

Date and place of birth: Oct. 10 in Richmond.

Alma maters: Virginia Union University, bachelor’s degree in business administration; Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union, master’s of divinity, doctorate of ministry.

Family: Wife, Shirley Burton Shannon; son, Ronald James Shannon.

Meaning of the theme of the 20th anniversary commemoration of the Million Man March: The Bible and Quran forewarns of a Day of Judgment coming because the wicked have denied the people that divine principle of justice. Jesus said it perfectly, “God is not mocked. Whatsoever a man soweth, the same shall he also reap.” Obadiah the Prophet says, “As thou hast done, so shall it be done unto you.” Therefore, if the U.S. government does not give us justice, then God Almighty will step in and render justice, just as He did for Moses and the children of Israel.

Committee’s objective: In light of the $1.3 trillion of buying power that black people have, one of the ways for us to obtain justice is to collectively participate in an economic withdrawal, starting on Black Friday through the end of this year. As Minister Farrakhan says, “Why should we make the merchants rich by their wicked manipulation and exploitation of the emotions of children, parents, families and those we love, with their pagan practices that have nothing to do with the celebration and observance of the righteous servant of God, Jesus?”

How I plan to meet it: We have standing committees in which our volunteers tactically share the workload. We have had five town hall meetings throughout the city, press conferences, radio and TV interviews to generate additional support.

How to get involved: Go to our national website: justiceorelse.com. We ask that you register and/or make a donation to defray the cost of our movement. You can follow us on Facebook: S.O.C. of Virginia United For “JusticeorElse” 10.10.15 M.M.M.; on Twitter: @VAJusticeOrElse; or we can be reached at justiceorelseva@hotmail.com. You also are invited to join us in our local organizing committee meetings 7 p.m. Thursdays at New Life Deliverance Tabernacle, 900 Decatur St., on South Side.

Memories of the Million Man March in 1995: I have good memories. Brothers from various faiths assembled in spiritual unity. It was a glimpse of heaven on Earth. There were more than a million black men being respectful to one another. There was no violence, no drinking of alcoholic beverages, no drugs, and the Mall was left as clean as it was when we arrived. Recalling our genuine pledge to be better husbands, fathers, grandfathers, brothers and sons continues to provide inspiration for me.

What progress has been made in the last 20 years: Black men made a commitment to take responsibility for self, family and community. The march produced new voters; 25,000 black children residing in foster care were adopted; a decrease in black-on-black crime; increased child support payments by black fathers; as well as increased interest in black men serving in their communities.

How can we stop the school-to-prison pipeline: It is imperative that the black faith community collectively lead the way in establishing a multidiscipline/multisystem community council with the goal of fostering healthy development of our youths; to compassionately provide divine love spiritually, mentally, emotionally and tangibly to all black youths, especially those in high-risk families and communities. The pipeline can stop by helping youths form a more positive outlook on life and equipping them to comfortably see themselves as very successful adults, in divine marital relationships and parental roles, combined with career successes that lead to healthier families, children, communities, faith organizations and black institutions.

With the unjust killings of many across the nation, does the committee plan to work with community police departments regarding sensitivity training for law enforcement professionals: Yes.

Definition of a leader: One who uses his or her divine abilities to inspire a shared vision, facilitates appropriate equipping of the team and fosters acquisition of resources to achieve it.

Justice is: “The moral arc of the universe is long but it bends toward justice. Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable … Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals,” said Dr. Martin L. King Jr. “Justice is a principle of fair dealing one with another; the law that distinguishes between right and wrong; the weapon that God will use in the Day of Judgment,” said Elijah Muhammad.

What makes me tick: As a member of the Family of Light, my deep sincere love of God, self and God’s people energizes my will to intentionally think, speak and act as God intends, in the “now.”

Prized possession: As a conscious steward of the most high God, I work at keeping the proper perspective of what is mine. All that I have been blessed to obtain belongs to God, including myself.

Definition of success: Achieving a divine vision.

Nobody knows I’m: A recovering workaholic. I have learned the vital importance of living a balanced life of work, relaxation and rest. Therefore, I’m an organic gardener and year-round fresh and saltwater fisherman.

My friends say that I: Like to dot the “I’s” and cross the “T’s” in all I do.

Perfect day: Days in which I’ve done my best for God, self and God’s people.

Perfect evening: Spending quality time with my lovely wife.

Nobody knows that I: Despise wickedness in any form or fashion.

The one thing I can’t stand: Is someone doing something wrong and they know it does not meet God’s approval.

Person who influenced me the most: My parents, grandparents and wife.

Book that influenced me the most: Three books have greatly influenced my evolution to engage in the task at hand: “64 Years to Make a Negro” by Alfred Ali, “Bringers Of The Dawn” by Barbara Marciniak and “Message to the Blackman in America” by Elijah Muhammad.

What I’m reading now: “The 5 Rules Of Thought” by Mary T. Browne.

My next goal: Is to solidify Faith Leaders Moving Forward as a pillar in our movement for freedom, justice and equality by divinely fostering socio-economic self-determination for black people through the faith community.