Xernona Clayton is the Founder, President, and CEO of the Trumpet Awards Foundation, Inc. and Creator of the Foundation’s 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 and distributed internationally to over 185 countries around the world.

She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Tennessee State University and received a scholarship from the University of Chicago for graduate studies.

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, a 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.

Xernona moved to Atlanta in 1965 where she accepted a position with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) and worked closely with the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. She 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. 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.

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. She is also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.

In recognition of Xernona’s contribution to broadcasting, the American Intercultural Student Exchange (AISE) has created a scholarship in her honor. Each year, since 1987, Xernona 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.

She has received Honorary Doctorate of Letters Degrees from Clark Atlanta University, Tennessee State University, and Alcorn State University. A school was recently named in her honor in Ghana, West Africa.

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. The Atlanta City Council honored her by naming a street (Xernona Clayton Way) and a park (Xernona Clayton Plaza) in downtown Atlanta.