Board of Directors
Guiding Our Legacy - Leadership Rooted in History, Truth, and Restoration
Committed to the Future
President/Founder & Director of Historical Research
Karen Stewart (Ross)
As a third great-granddaughter of Lee Cathey and Frances "Fannie" Shelton, Karen Stewart-Ross is dedicated and passionate about preserving her family’s rich history and honoring her ancestors. A family historian, avid researcher, and a contributing author to Slavery’s Descendants: Shared Legacies of Race and Reconciliation (Rutgers, 2019), Karen has spent many years researching and reconnecting her family's history and descendants as well as advocating for the acknowledgement of Shelton family history at Possum Trot in Rome, Georgia. Click to explore Karen’s work and commitment to safeguarding African American history.
Vice-President/Director
Beatrice Johnson
As the second great-granddaughter of Pinkney and Laura Shelton Franklin, Beatrice Johnson brings over 24 years of experience in community service, nonprofit management, and professional expertise. Her leadership and passion for genealogy are central to preserving the Shelton family’s rich history. Click to learn how Beatrice's dedication and skills are advancing the mission of the Shelton Heritage Society and ensuring her ancestors' legacy continues for future generations.
Regina Fletcher Russell
Interim Secretary/Director
Regina’s lifelong passion for uncovering her family’s rich history started with an unexpected inspiration. From her impressive career in management to her deep connection to the Shelton family legacy, Regina’s story is one of discovery, dedication, and creativity. Click to learn how she blends her professional expertise with her love for genealogy and the important role she plays in preserving the past for future generations.
Wanika Rhymes
Treasurer/Director
As a descendant of Lee and Frances "Fannie" Shelton Cathey, Wanika combines her strong family heritage with over nine years of professional expertise in healthcare IT. Her role as an EPIC Certified Trainer, along with her contributions as treasurer of our nonprofit, showcases her dedication to both her profession and her family’s legacy. Click to learn more about Wanika’s impressive career and her commitment to preserving the Shelton family history.
Director
George Ricks
With decades of civic leadership, educational advocacy, and community engagement in Chattanooga, George Ricks has devoted his life to uplifting others. A respected former school board chair and longtime volunteer, George also served as curator of the Chattanooga African-American Heritage Museum, where he helped preserve and share local African American history. Bringing a wealth of expertise to the board, George supports the work of the Shelton Heritage Society and is the husband of board member and Shelton descendant Maria Ricks.
NFL Hall of Famer Drew Pearson & Reca Shabazz
Maria Ricks
Director
Maria Ricks is a lifelong advocate and community leader in Chattanooga, Tennessee. As the great-granddaughter of Peter and Mary Shelton Powell—both buried in the Shelton Family Cemetery at Possum Trot—Maria brings a deep ancestral connection to the work of the Shelton Heritage Society. With more than 50 years of service supporting African American youth and local schools, she continues to honor her family’s legacy through education, advocacy, and historical preservation. Maria is the husband of fellow board member George Ricks, a longtime community advocate.
Joel Richards
Director
A man of deep faith and commitment, Joel proudly carries the legacy of the Shelton, Cathey and Adams families as the second great-grandson of James Wallace and Lula Shelton Cathey and the great-grandson of Milton Horace and Mattie Adams Cathey. He is also exploring his rich connections to Africatown, where his heritage runs deep. Well-respected for his dedication to history, family, and community and deeply inspired by his mother, the late Vivian Richards Talley, Joel is a natural leader with a powerful story to tell. Click to discover more about his journey and the legacy he works tirelessly to preserve.
NFL Hall of Famer Drew Pearson & Reca Shabazz
Reca Shabazz
Past Secretary - In Memoriam
Remembering Descendant Reca Shabazz: A Legacy of Family, Faith, and Trailblazing Achievements
Reca Shabazz, a fourth great-granddaughter of Jonas and Delse Rhine Cathey and Hardy and Mary Shelton, lived a life deeply rooted in family and legacy. As the wife of iconic Arkansas athlete Basil Shabazz and the daughter of NFL Hall of Famer and Rice University sports legend and activist Rodrigo Barnes, Reca was no stranger to breaking barriers. Her journey as a pioneering African American female sports broadcaster and devoted member of the Shelton and Cathey families is a story of resilience and inspiration. Click to learn more about her remarkable life and contributions.