Metro Atlanta
Metro Atlanta

Civil rights leader Xernona Clayton gets street, park designation in downtown Atlanta

Xernona Clayton (center) is applauded by Ted Turner (left), Mayor Shirley Franklin (right) and attendees to the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame event at the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site on Aug. 26, 2005. Clayton is the creator of the Walk of Fame, a display of footprints of "foot soldiers" for human rights.

Credit: Mikki K. Harris

Credit: Mikki K. Harris

Xernona Clayton (center) is applauded by Ted Turner (left), Mayor Shirley Franklin (right) and attendees to the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame event at the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site on Aug. 26, 2005. Clayton is the creator of the Walk of Fame, a display of footprints of "foot soldiers" for human rights.
By Jeremiah Mcwilliams
Sept 20, 2011

Atlanta is honoring civil rights activist and broadcasting executive Xernona Clayton with the dedication of a street and park plaza at the intersection of Peachtree Street and Baker Street in downtown Atlanta. Clayton becomes the second woman to be honored with a street and plaza designation in Atlanta. “Gone With the Wind” author Margaret Mitchell is the other. On Tuesday morning, city officials unveiled a plaque in Hardy Ivy Park commemorating Clayton’s civil rights and broadcast careers.

ExploreWho is Xernona Clayton? Much more than a matchmaker

About the Author

Jeremiah Mcwilliams
More Stories

Keep Reading

Melvin Cooksey was 57 when he was killed in his Newton County home. (Courtesy of Cooksey family)

Credit: Family photo

Newton man’s pacemaker helped solve his murder. His killer gets life in prison.

Melvin Cooksey’s pacemaker led authorities to his remains and ultimately his killer, caregiver Danetta Knoblauch. She faces sentencing after her murder conviction.

1h ago

Man accused of shooting Tifton officers dies after jail incident, officials say

A man charged with shooting two Tifton police officers has died following an “isolated incident” at the Coffee County Jail, officials confirmed.

Police seek suspect after teen critically injured in South Fulton shooting

Police say a 15-year-old is in critical condition after being shot at a South Fulton apartment complex. A day after the violent incident, the search continues for a suspect.

2h ago

The Latest

Melvin Cooksey was 57 when he was killed in his Newton County home. (Courtesy of Cooksey family)

Credit: Family photo

Newton man’s pacemaker helped solve his murder. His killer gets life in prison.

1h ago

Police seek suspect after teen critically injured in South Fulton shooting

2h ago

From in-house to in court: Ex-Home Depot attorney joins King & Spalding

Featured

Democrat Eric Gisler celebrated his Tuesday election victory at the Trappeze Pub in Athens, Ga. (AP)

Credit: AP

POLITICALLY GEORGIA

How Georgia Democrats pulled off a special election stunner

Democrat Eric Gisler won in a district designed to favor Republicans. Now, GOP leaders are sounding the alarm ahead of the 2026 midterms.

Developer scales back UGA President’s House hotel plan after opposition

A developer has scaled back his proposed hotel on the site of the University of Georgia's historic 'President's House' after Athens residents opposed construction.

Newton man’s pacemaker helped solve his murder. His killer gets life in prison.

Melvin Cooksey’s pacemaker led authorities to his remains and ultimately his killer, caregiver Danetta Knoblauch. She faces sentencing after her murder conviction.

1h ago