In this final episode, Ms. Clayton’s infectious sense of humor shines through in her conversation with Michelle Miller. Touching on a handful of topics ranging from their shared histories to present day social injustices to helping stem school drop-outs in California. “Before I leave here, I’m going to make Dr. King’s wish for us—to learn how to live together—come true, says 93-year-old Ms. Clayton, referring to her vision of ‘Xernona’s Village,’ a multiracial, multicultural community where everyone lives in harmony. “If I can change one attitude, then I can change another, and another.” This ethos also applies to The International Civil Rights Walk of Fame in Atlanta. Conceived by Ms. Clayton in 2004, the city landmark made from imprints from the actual shoes of men and women who “walked in the path of ingenuity and helped others,” such as President Johnson and Sidney Poitier. “There’s a treasure in these footprints,” says the woman who also created the “one-minute Black History lesson” so the world would know about the community’s important accomplishments and contributions. “My part is little, but you can add a little to the little and it eventually becomes big.”

For more, don’t miss Xernona Clayton: A Life in Black & White, airing on Brown Sugar, featuring the largest catalog of classic Black cinema. Go to brownsugar.com.

:: DROPPING EVERY TUESDAY SUMMER 2023 ::

“I don’t plan for mistakes. I plan for perfection,” says Ms. Clayton, referring to her life and the creation of The Trumpet Awards, the celebrated program she conceived that honors the achievements of Black Americans. From a doctor in Chicago who made it possible to store blood donations to Cedric the Entertainer, the cultural contributions and successes of the community are many. “The trumpet has a glare. It has strength. You hear it loudly. My message is that we are beautiful,” says Ms. Clayton, who celebrated the 28th Annual Bounce Trumpet Awards this year. “We educate black people as much as we educate white people.”

In this penultimate episode, we also hear about Ms. Clayton’s involvement with the National Urban League and her early workplace activism at Marshall Field department store. Her energy and positivity shines through every anecdote and history lesson. For more, don’t miss Xernona Clayton: A Life in Black & White, airing on Brown Sugar, featuring the largest catalog of classic Black cinema. Go to brownsugar.com.

:: DROPPING EVERY TUESDAY SUMMER 2023 ::

In this episode, we meet Xernona Clayton, the Atlanta change-agent connector. At first reluctant, Ms. Clayton shares how she embraced life as a local leader for Civil Rights and the disenfranchised. Hear first-hand how met and socialized with other activists like Andrew Young and John Lewis. She took it upon himself to orchestrate a matchmaking meeting with the learned and enigmatic Lillian, who ultimately became Mrs. John Lewis. Through her humor-inflected stories and conversations, it’s clear that Ms. Clayton has been a lifelong advocate for good. For more, don’t miss Xernona Clayton: A Life in Black & White, airing on Brown Sugar, featuring the largest catalog of classic Black cinema. Go to brownsugar.com.