The Xernona Clayton Foundation partners with New Birth for food distribution on May 1

Civil Rights Leader Xernona Clayton and The Xernona Clayton Foundation will join New Birth Missionary Baptist Church on Saturday, May 1, at 10 a.m. during the church’s weekly food distribution at 6400 Woodrow Rd. in Stonecrest, GA.

The Xernona Clayton Foundation will donate $5k to the food donation program in recognition of Clayton’s birthday. Last year, her friends made donations in honor of her 90^thbirthday to the Xernona Clayton Foundation in support of her community outreach efforts. More than 120 well-wishers joined Clayton and her husband, Judge Paul L. Brady, during the virtual birthday celebration. Among her special guests were actors Louis Gossett, Jr., and Chris Tucker; Ambassador Andrew and his wife, Carolyn; and the Rev. Jesse Jackson, her friend for more than 60 years.

Proceeds from the Aug. 29 virtual birthday celebration will be presented to the New Birth food distribution on Saturday, May 1.

“I am so honored to bless others with funds made to my foundation in honor of my 90th birthday in 2020. The pandemic has devastated families all over the world and right here in our own community people still need the basics of food and essential items,” said Clayton. “I am so grateful that God has blessed me to be a blessing to others and that we will partner with Pastor Jamal Bryant and his church on Saturday.”

Early last year, New Birth’s ministry, The King’s Table, mobilized to help address local food insecurity faced by families in DeKalb County and surrounding areas. The effort began in January 2020 with 300 families taking advantage of free food and other in-demand household items. As the impacts of COVID-19 reached global proportions, New Birth saw a drastic spike in attendance, which now serves approximately 8,000 individuals each week.

 “The pandemic has forced ministries to step outside the four walls of the church and re-engage with the community in a new and dynamic way,” said Pastor Bryant. “Lives are being changed and families are being nourished because of the love, support and generosity of our global community. We are blessed by the tremendous partnerships that have flourished during a storm.”

Since March 11, 2020, New Birth has also partnered with several organizations including DeKalb County Government, Cigna, and Diabetes Association of Atlanta to enhance the ongoing outreach effort.

With 560,000 individuals fed through this program, the collaborative effort marks a sobering milestone for the ongoing pandemic’s impact to local families and those now facing food insecurities.

About Xernona Clayton

Xernona Clayton is the Founder, President and CEO of the Trumpet Awards Foundation, Inc. and Creator and Executive Producer of the Foundation’s Trumpet Awards. She was the first black person in the South to have her own television show, The Xernona Clayton Show. She was employed at Turner Broadcasting for nearly 30 years where she served as a corporate executive.  Her autobiography I’ve been Marching All the Time was published in 1991. The Atlanta Association of Black Journalists named its scholarship in her honor and annually presents the Xernona Clayton Scholarship to a student pursuing a career in communications. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.