Xernona Clayton with George Weech, former Member of Parliament for Bimini and the Berry Islands (left) and Consul General to Atlanta, Randy E. Rolle (right) during her birthday celebrations in The Bahamas.

BIMINI, Bahamas - Xernona Clayton, founder of the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame celebrated her 84th birthday on the Bahamas island where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. penned a portion of his “I Have A Dream” speech. One of the more notable Atlanta-based female civil rights leader, Xernona Clayton Brady and her twin sister were born August 30, 1930 in Muskogee, Oklahoma.

The broadcasting executive who founded the Trumpet Awards was joined by over 70 friends and family members on the island of Bimini, which lies just sixty miles off the coast of Florida. 

Among the guests was former Member of Parliament for Bimini and the Berry Islands, Hon. George Weech. Bishop Neil C. Ellis, who was the third Bahamian inducted onto the International Civil Rights Hall of Fame in Atlanta and his wife, Patrice also joined in the festivities, with the clergyman bringing remarks as a friend of the birthday lady. Bahamas Consul General to Atlanta, Randy E. Rolle, a native of Bimini was also on hand to bring remarks and gave visitors a true island experience, before inviting them to return for their special events.

“Xernona Clayton is truly a friend to The Commonwealth of The Bahamas,” Rolle said. “It is an absolute honor to be here to pay tribute to a woman who has been such a big part of our Consulate in Atlanta.  There are many from Atlanta who have chosen The Bahamas as the place to make their memories. This year we’ve been proud to have provided assistance to Think Like a Man producer Will Packer with his birthday bash and Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and his wife with their engagement. So we are excited when The Bahamas is the setting for such momentous occasions.”