Xernona Clayton
Civil Rights Leader
African-American civil rights leader who worked closely with Martin Luther King Jr. as a member of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in the 60's. In 1967, she began hosting The Xernona Clayton Show, making her the first Southern African-American to host a prime time talk show.
She was a Music major at Tennessee State Agricultural and Industrial College.
The Xernona Clayton Barbie doll was created in her honor by Mattel in 2004.
She was married to fellow civil rights activist Ed Clayton from 1957 until his death in 1966. She later married judge Paul L. Brady.
She was close friends with Caretta Scott King, wife of Martin Luther King.