In 1966, Clayton coordinated the Doctors' Committee for Implementation, a group of African American physicians who worked for and achieved the desegregation of all Atlanta hospitals. The Doctors' Committee served as a model for nationwide hospital desegregation, and was honored by the National Medical Association.[6][9]
Clayton then headed the Atlanta Model Cities program, a federally funded group dedicated to improving the quality of desegregated neighborhoods. Clayton met Calvin Craig, the Grand Dragon of the Georgia Ku Klux Klan, through the Model Cities program, as Craig served in a policy position with the organization. Craig cited Clayton's influence when he decided to denounce the Klan in April 1968.[7]
In 1967, Clayton became the first Southern African American to host a daily prime timetalk show.[8] The show was broadcast on WAGA-TV in Atlanta and was renamed, The Xernona Clayton Show.[8] Clayton joined Turner Broadcasting in 1979 as a producer of documentary specials.[10] In the 1980s, she served as director of public relations for Turner Broadcasting.[11] In 1988, Turner Broadcasting promoted Clayton to corporate vice president for urban affairs, assigning her to direct Turner projects and serve as a liaison between Turner Broadcasting and civic groups in Atlanta and throughout the country.[6] Clayton retired from Turner Broadcasting in 1997, choosing to call the retirement a "professional transition".[10]
Clayton serves on the board of directors of the King Center for Nonviolent Social Change.[8] She served on the Board of Review for the state of Georgia's Department of Labor.[11] In 1991, she published an autobiography, I've Been Marching All The Time, a title inspired by King.[5] The book focused on her life and her views of the Civil Rights Movement.[12]
In 1993, Clayton, with Turner Broadcasting, created the Trumpet Awards to honor achievements of African Americans.[6][13] She serves as the chair, president, and CEO of the Trumpet Awards Foundation that was formed in late 2004.[6][14] In early 2004, Clayton created the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame.[15]
Clayton was married to Ed Clayton (who also worked with Dr. King)[6] from 1957 until his death in 1966. She co-authored a revised edition of her late husband's biography of Martin Luther King Jr. that is titled The Peaceful Warrior.
Following her first husband's death, Clayton married Paul L. Brady, the first African American to be appointed as a Federal Administrative Law Judge,[16] in 1974.[12] Brady and Clayton have two children from Brady's previous marriage,[13] Laura and Paul Jr.
Xernona Clayton has been honored worldwide for her contributions to humanity, which includes: Bronze Women of the Year for Human Relations, 1969; Communications Woman of Achievement Award by the Atlanta Chapter of American Women in Radio and Television, 1984–85; Superior Television Programming Award by Iota Phi Lambda sorority, 1971; being named one of Georgia's Most Influential Women 1984 and Black Georgian of the Year 1984; being included in Leadership Atlanta, Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, 1971; named Bethune-Tubman Woman of the Year Award, Chicago, 1985; named Woman of the Year by Black Women Hall of Fame foundation, 1985; The Kizzy Award 1979; Humanitarian Award, Hillside International Truth Center, 1986; First Black woman to receive The Trailblazer Award by the Greater Atlanta Club Business and Professional Woman; named one of the nation's Top 100 Black Business and Professional Women by Dollars and Sense Magazine, 1985; being one of Seven Atlanta honorees for Black Achievers Award by the Equitable, 1986; being inducted into the Academy of Women Achievers by the YWCA, 1986; Communications Award by the OICs of America, 1986; American Spirit Award by the United States Air Force Recruiting Service, 1987; and receiving the President's Award by the National Conference of Mayors, 1983.[21]
On International Women's Day in 2023, the City of Atlanta unveiled a statue of Clayton in the plaza also named in her honor on West Peachtree Street. The location in downtown Atlanta was symbolic for Clayton, as she had been "thrown out of a hotel"[22] on the street during the Civil Rights Movement.[23]
