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a cooperative association of Black farmers, landowners, and cooperatives
Office of Communications
CONTACT
Tandelyn Daniel
Director of Communications and Member Relations
tandelyndaniel@federation.coop | 404-765-0991
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Xernona Clayton
Recipient of the
22nd Annual Estelle Witherspoon Lifetime Achievement Award
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EAST POINT, GA. -
The Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund proudly announces that Ms. Xernona Clayton has been selected as our 22nd Estelle Witherspoon Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient.
The Federation will present the Lifetime Achievement Award in memory of Estelle Witherspoon, whose dedication to the advancement of her community and to all humanity epitomizes the true spirit of community and cooperation on Thursday, August 17th, 2023, at the Sheraton in Birmingham. Ms. Clayton fought for equality during the Civil Rights Movement. The Civil Rights Movement in the US helped pave the way for the cooperative development movement in the US.
Xernona Clayton is the Founder and President of the Trumpet Awards Foundation, Inc. and creator of the Trumpet Awards. The Trumpet Awards is a prestigious event highlighting African American accomplishments and contributions. Initiated in 1993 by Turner Broadcasting, the Trumpet Awards has been televised annually.
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Ms. Clayton is the creator of the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame located by the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church and the African American Museum in Atlanta, Georgia. | |
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Civil Rights Walk of Fame (Atlanta, GA)
Photo by Jonathan Schilling
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She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Tennessee State University and received a scholarship from the University of Chicago for graduate studies.
Ms. Clayton began her television career in 1967 and became the South’s first Black person to have her own television show. The Xernona Clayton Show was a regular feature on WAGA-TV, a CBS affiliate in Atlanta for several years.
Xernona Clayton was employed at Turner Broadcasting for nearly 30 years where she served as a corporate executive. In 1988, Xernona Clayton was appointed Corporate Vice President for Urban Affairs with Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. In this capacity, she directed internal and external projects for the Corporation and served as a liaison between Turner Broadcasting (TBS SuperStation, CNN, Headline News, TNT, Atlanta Braves, and Atlanta Hawks) and civic groups in Atlanta and across the country. As a corporate executive, Ms. Clayton was one of the highest-ranking female employees in Turner Broadcasting System.
Upon the announcement of Xernona’s appointment as the first Black female corporate executive, Ted Turner said, “Xernona has an impressive record of accomplishments and we are proud to recognize her commitment to bettering human relations with this promotion.”
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Xernona moved to Atlanta in 1965 where she accepted a position with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and worked closely with the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Clayton also traveled extensively with Mrs. Coretta Scott King on her nationwide concert tours.
Dedicated to promoting racial understanding, Xernona Clayton has been a leader in civic projects and civil rights activities for several years. In 1966, she coordinated the activities of Atlanta’s Black doctors in a project called Doctors’ Committee for Implementation, which resulted in the desegregation of all hospital facilities in Atlanta. This project served as a model and a pilot for other states throughout the country and received national honors from the National Medical Association for its impact.
Her persistent fight against the dragons of prejudice and bigotry was never more apparent than in 1968 when the Grand Dragon of the Ku Klux Klan denounced the Klan and credited Xernona’s influence with his change.
Ms. Clayton’s dedication to the community is reflected in the many hours she spends promoting human relations through bi-racial groups devoted to improving racial understanding.
A recipient of numerous media awards, Xernona has been widely honored for her contributions to humanity. She is included in various editions of some very impressive biographical publications.
“The Peaceful Warrior” a biography of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. authored by her late husband Ed Clayton and co-authored by Xernona in the revised editions, has been published in several languages.
Xernona Clayton’s autobiography, “I’ve Been Marching All the Time”, was published in 1991.
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In recognition of Xernona’s contribution to broadcasting, her community, and the nation, the American Intercultural Student Exchange (AISE) has created a scholarship in her honor. Each year, since 1987, Ms. Clayton chooses an outstanding minority high school student to spend a year living abroad with a European family, all expenses paid. The Xernona Clayton Scholarship is dedicated to increasing open relationships, internationally, through a global high school student exchange program. Additionally, the Atlanta Association of Black Journalists named its scholarship in her honor and annually presents the Xernona Clayton Scholarship to a student pursuing a career in communications.
NAMIC (the National Association of Minorities in Cable) presented, to Ms. Clayton, its highest award, the Mickey Leland Award, which honors the late United States Congressman. Xernona, along with former Congressman Kweisi Mfume and the late Commerce Secretary Ronald Brown, was awarded the 1996 Distinguished Leadership Award by NAFEO (The National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education) at impressive ceremonies in Washington, D.C. She also received NAFEO’s 2003 Corporate Award. She has received Honorary Doctorate of Letters Degrees from Clark Atlanta University, Tennessee State University, Alcorn State University, and Kentucky State University. A school was named in her honor in Ghana, West Africa.
She was additionally honored in 2004 with two very impressive awards. Spelman College presented Ms. Clayton the first Local Community Service Award, for her continued dedication to leadership in the community. The State of Georgia Commission on Equal Opportunity presented her with the Leadership and Dedication in Civil Rights Award.
Along with her other honors, she has received the first Coretta Scott King Award from the SCLC (Southern Christian Leadership Conference) the Madam C. J. Walker Award from EBONY’S Outstanding Women in Marketing and Communications, and the Outstanding Corporate Professional Award from the PowerNetworking Family.
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In March of 2023, Xernona Clayton became the first female and only Black woman recognized with a full-size statue in downtown Atlanta, Georgia.
Photo Courtesy of Mami Hampton-Kisner
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In private life, she is married to Judge Paul L. Brady. She is a member of Ebenezer Baptist Church, formerly co-pastored by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Dr. Martin Luther King, Sr., and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. | |
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The Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund is a 56-year-old cooperative association of black farmers, landowners, and cooperatives.
Our mission is to be a catalyst for the development of self-supporting communities through cooperative economic development, land retention, and advocacy. We envision sustainable rural communities supported by a network of farmers, landowners, and cooperatives based on local control and ownership.
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