Joel Richards, a dedicated director of our nonprofit and a family historian, is a proud second great-grandson of James Wallace and Lula Shelton Cathey, daughter of Hardy and Mary Bearden Shelton. He is also an Africatown descendant, actively researching his deep connections to that historic community. Joel is a man of faith with a profound love for his family and community. Known for his selflessness, he can often be found helping others and serving his community with grace and humility.

Joel’s commitment to service is inspired by his mother, Vivian Richards Talley, a fierce activist and keeper of family history. Vivian was a well-respected librarian with a love for knowledge and a huge jazz collection. She participated in the historic 1987 Forsyth County, Georgia protests, led by Civil Rights Activist Hosea Williams. The protest drew national attention to Forsyth's history of racial bias and resulted in the indictment of two Klan organizations. Following her death, Vivian’s beloved jazz collection, the Vivian R. Talley Jazz Collection, was donated to the McCallie School in Chattanooga, Tennessee in her honor.

Joel has continued his mother’s legacy of activism and service. As a boys club staff counselor, he was instrumental in forming an outreach program to encourage boys who had lost interest to rejoin. He has also volunteered with the Jobs for Life program, mentoring ex-offenders and assisting them with job applications, mock interviews, and regaining their footing in society. Joel’s belief in truth and justice, inspired by his mother, led him to provide testimony that helped secure justice for two young women who had been unfairly targeted due to racial bias.

As a keeper of family history, Joel has strong ties to St. Elmo’s Missionary Baptist Church in Chattanooga, where his faith plays a central role. He is well-respected within the community and is known for his approachable, authentic, and loyal nature—qualities that make him a vital part of both his family’s story and the broader community.