Carlotta Maria Shinn Russell, mother, is a resident of the State of Alabama; she makes her home in the city of Mobile. She has a Masters of Business Administration and a Masters of Art in Communication. She is presently a Business and Communication Instructor at Faulkner University. She is a lecturer, speaker, storyteller, debate trainer, and author of nine books. She is the 2014 Dahlonega, Georgia Southern Regional Literary competition winner in the Civil Rights Category with her book: I lived on the Other Side of the Line: The 1960's Civil Rights era through the Eyes of a Child. In 2017, her book and book Trailer Simone': Tuscany the Saga Began and Continues, were presented in the Frankfurt International Book Festival and the book at AJC National Book Festival. She is a Member of Toastmasters International with an ACB; The American Association of University Women (AAUW) and President of Mobile Branch; a Stanford Who's who among Business Professionals; and community service worker in other organizations.