2008 Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient

The Links, Incorporated Lifetime Achievement Award was present to Ms. Xernona Clayton, founder, president and CEO of the Trumpet Awards Foundation, Inc. In addition, she is the creator and executive producer of the Foundation’s Trumpet Awards – 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.

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. She 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 (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.

Clayton’s autobiography, “I’ve Been Marching All the Time,” was published in 1991.