This ceiling-shattering broadcaster and civil rights leader had an Atlanta street named in her honor...
Xernona Clayton
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Xernona 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, CBS affiliate in Atlanta.
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 liaison between Turner Broadcasting 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. 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. Ms. Clayton also traveled extensively with Mrs. Coretta Scott King on her nationwide concert tours. |
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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 honor 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. As founding President, Chair, and Chief Executive Officer, she dedicated herself to providing local, national and international programs that have trained tens of thousands of people in Dr. King’s philosophy and methods; she guided the creation and housing of the largest archives of documents from the Civil Rights Movement. Source: National Women's History Museum |
Xernona Clayton, who was a special assistant to Martin Luther King, Jr., looks at a model of the Stone of Hope, the centerpiece of the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial Project.
JACQUELYN MARTIN / AP PHOTO
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Xernona Clayton on 'Atlanta & Company' (2019)
How & Where to Connect
The best way to connect with Mrs. Clayton is to visit the honorary street and park plaza that were named in her honor. Instructions for getting there are provided below.
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On September 20, 2011 civil rights activist and broadcasting pioneer Xernona Clayton was recognized for a lifetime of contributions to community and humanity with the dedication of an honorary street and park plaza. Baker Street between Piedmont Avenue and Centennial Olympic Park Drive was named Xernona Clayton Way; and the plaza at Hardy Ivy Park was named Xernona Clayton Plaza. Members of the Atlanta City Council approved the designation of these landmarks to honor Ms. Clayton’s invaluable service to the community upon the recommendation of a city commission and countless residents and community leaders.
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Getting there...You will want to make your way to the NW corner of Baker and Peachtree Streets. You can see what this looks like by using the 360-interactive Google Street Map above.
Xernona Clayton Way & Plaza are three-blocks from the Peachtree Center MARTA station. As you walk north on Peachtree Street, you will cross Xernona Clayton Way (Baker St). The plaza (Hardy Ivy Park) is on the NW section of that intersection. The Carnegie Education Pavilion is located here. |
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