EPISODE 8: The International Civil Rights Walk of Fame

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.