Shelton T. Hayes “came into the world driven,” his mother Rhonda Gore said.
He was a marketing professional who also spent time working in the entertainment industry. And, at the time of his death, on March 15, 2018 — three days after turning 39 — he was in the process of getting his men’s clothing business off the ground.
Fueling all of his hard work was the goal of providing for his family, especially for his mother, who has a chronic illness.
“He was very business minded, but he was also family-oriented,” Rhonda said. “Family meant everything. Everything he was doing was so I could stop working. That was always the premise of his desires.”
Shelton was born March 12, 1979 in Philadelphia to Rhonda, a preacher, and Danny Hayes, a deacon. Fourteen years later they had a daughter, Chanta’, who shared a tight bond with Shelton.
Shelton with his daughters Kendi and NyAsha
He graduated from Bodine High School in 1997, and earned his bachelor’s degree in marketing form Morgan State University in Baltimore in 2001.
Shelton had a passion for marketing and could come up with a slogan or an idea for a commercial right off the cuff, Rhonda said. During his career Shelton served as assistant marketing director at Viacom in Los Angeles as well as the A&R director at Universal Music Group, among other positions.
Fashion always interested him, too. When he ran into an issue with his shirts, he came up with a solution and, as a result, a new business idea.
He would roll his sleeves up during the day, but in the evenings he would often go out to cocktail parties or happy hours for work and the sleeves would be wrinkled. He came up a shirt that had three-quarter French cuff sleeves that also had a button or latch to prevent the shirt from becoming untucked.
Shelton had been in talks with Nordstrom to carry his shirts, and he was considering trying to pitch his idea to the investors on the television show “Shark Tank.”
Shelton’s faith-based upbringing gave him a strong belief in himself and his dreams, and he was determined to make this a success.
“We taught him to value life and always do what’s in your heart to do, and to thine own self be true,” Rhonda said. “Shelton understood that to mean to follow your heart, follow your dreams. We taught our children that there’s no such word as C-A-N apostrophe T.”
Now, Rhonda is taking the reins.
“I’m trying to carry on his company,” she said. “It was really important to him.”
While Shelton was serious when it came to his career, he also knew how to have fun.
His group of male cousins were his best friends. They got together three or four times a week, and twice a year they took a cousins trip to places like Las Vegas, Cancun and Jamaica.
Shelton and his sister Chanta’
“Anyone would tell you that Shelton was that guy you wanted to hang out with,” she said. “He always had you laughing. He was always doing something silly. Always putting on a comedy show for you.”
Shelton celebrated his 39th birthday with a trip to Miami. Three days later, he was shot and killed in the living room of the house he shared with Rhonda in Overbrook while she was upstairs. No arrests have been made.
Rhonda misses Shelton getting on her nerves, she said with a laugh. Also, their date nights, when they’d set aside time to try a new restaurant, go to a jazz club or see a movie.
“I miss Shelton more than words can ever, ever, ever explain,” she said.
Shelton’s funeral took place at the Kingdom of Life Church in Olney. He was cremated.
In addition to his parents, he is also survived by his two daughters, Kendi and NyAsha, his sister Chanta’, his extended family and countless friends.
A reward of up to $20,000 if available to anyone that comes forward with information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the persons responsible for Shelton’s murder. Anonymous calls can be submitted by calling the Citizens Crime Commission at 215-546-TIPS.
A portrait of Shelton is included in the latest exhibition of Souls Shot: Portraits of Gun Violence.
Date: 2018-03-15
Location: 7700 Overbrook Av, Philadelphia, PA
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