The true worth of a race must be measuredby the character of its womanhood . . .

Mary McLeod Bethune

Paying it Forward

Billye S. Aaronby Jacquee Minor

It is a long way from hard times in a rural Texasfarming community to the grand lifestyle of a cele-brated benefactor. Billye S. Aaron has made the

journey fabulously, with a good measure of classand style.

The memories of childhood ever-present, Aaron con-jures up images of poverty and deprivation. Herfather died when she was only 12 years old, leavingher mother to raise eight children on her own. Shetells of a time when they made clothes from the print-ed fabric of sacks that were used in those days topackage cooking flour, passed on from a neighborlady. And Aaron recalls dreaming of one day beingable to buy “as many clothes as I can hang up.”

The former teacher, television talk show host, UnitedNegro College Fund executive and fund-raiser extra-ordinaire, Aaron, who is married to baseball greatHank Aaron, can afford just about anything shewants these days. And while she does love a goodsale, giving is more her style.

“To whom much is given, much is required,” Aaronsays earnestly. “That is imbedded in me. I feel thatGod has blessed me tremendously, and itis required.”

Aaron, who remains grateful to the people whohelped her family when they needed it, takes satis-faction in paying it forward. She co-founded, withher husband, the Hank Aaron Chasing the DreamFoundation, to provide grants for children with spe-cial talents. Her years as a development executivewith UNCF brought in significant dollars, anddespite retiring more than ten years ago, she contin-ues to chair its annual fund-raising campaign. Infact, her fund-raising prowess is often called on toattract donors as generous as the Aarons.

This year, she was asked to co-chair the SchomburgCenter for Research in Black Culture Museum’s 80thanniversary celebration gala at Lincoln Center inNew York, honoring the likes of Maya Angelou,Harry Belafonte, John Hope Franklin and Ruby Dee.Marveling at the opportunity, Aaron says, “If you’rea southern girl from Palestine, Texas, and somebodyasks you serve in this capacity, you’re gonnasay yes.”

Just don’t call her a philanthropist. Aaron, famouslygenerous, is offended by the term that she thinksshould be reserved for folks like the Rockefellers,(Warren) Buffets and (Bill) Gates of the world.

“I don’t call it philanthropy,” she insists. “I just wantto do God’s will. It is incumbent upon me to do whatI can.”

Education at a black college got her out of her smalltown life, and Aaron believes it can deliver today’syouth from their own Palestine. That is why she givesso generously in support of black colleges. “I feel itis my responsibility to do what I can to help otherAfrican-American young people coming behind meto have opportunities as well.”

In a milestone year for Aaron, turning 70 years old,she is celebrating the joys of a life well lived. Therehave been no further signs of breast cancer, diag-nosed six years ago. The experiences of a charmedadult life are enough to soften those of the earlydays. “I’ve had an unbelievable life,” she says inawe. “People I’ve met, places I’ve been. Sometimes,I think this is too good to be true.”

Celebrating African-American Achievements

Who’s Who in Black Atlanta® | The 2007 Edition 3Photo by Denise Gray Photography

The Woman Changing Her World

Xernona Claytonby Jacquee Minor

Xernona Clayton has enjoyed an excitingcareer. She has always worked in positions ofgreat influence, with high profile people,

under exceptional circumstances. In 1967 she wasthe first black person in the South to have her owntelevision show. She spent 31 years as a high rank-ing corporate executive with Turner BroadcastingSystems. As creator and executive producer of thefamed Trumpet Awards, Clayton has crafted a signa-ture event. With such a rich pedigree, no one couldever challenge her place in history. She is, in thesimplest terms, an icon.

So when Time Warner acquired TurnerBroadcasting System’s fleet of companies, it seemedlike a good time for the media maven to retire. Thenew company, after all, did not always share hervision of how the Trumpet Awards should be pre-sented. She was weighing the option until the mostamazing turn of events.

Turner Broadcasting offered her a five-year, $5million deal, giving her complete creative controlof her program. It is not the kind of thing that hap-pens every day, unless you’re Xernona Clayton,founder, president and CEO of the TrumpetAwards Foundation.

Clayton tells young people to prepare for raremoments. “It’s important to go to school to becomewell trained, so that when opportunity presents itself,you can be ready to respond.”

“I didn’t go to school to meet Martin King (or wifeCoretta) and become his confidant. I didn’t go toschool to meet Ted Turner. Now, I’m tied to him inspirit forever,” she says.

Throughout her career she has been the onlywoman, and usually the woman changing the men

around her. Yet Clayton credits Turner with reveal-ing her full potential. “When people believe inyou,” she explains, “it’s amazing how far you willexpand your talents beyond the boundaries evenyou thought you had. Now I’m so rich, so expansivebecause of the opportunities that have come myway through that relationship.”

Clayton created the Trumpet Awards to herald thetremendous accomplishments and contributionsAfrican Americans have made to the world. Now inits 13th year, it is a showcase of talent, hard workand ingenuity, and a who’s who of Hollywoodcelebrities, athletes, politicians, entrepreneurs andtitans of industry.

A spectacle of remarkable good health and highenergy, Clayton, at “31” years of age, has noaches, no pains, and takes no medication.Averaging only about four hours of sleep a night,she is up and in her office by four o’clock everymorning, staying until at least six o’clock everyevening. With no exercise or diet, she weighs exact-ly 4 pounds more than she did in college.

Clayton’s petite frame possesses a bigger-than-lifepersonality, and her irreverent humor can bring thehouse down.

Even as a child growing up in Muskogee,Oklahoma, Clayton remembers always being differ-ent from the other kids. “I never wanted to go whereeveryone else was going,” she remembers. “I didn’twant to follow the crowd.” And while she never hadchildren of her own, she has nurtured many. “I feellike I’ve given life without giving birth,” she says.

Celebrating African-American Achievements

Who’s Who in Black Atlanta® | The 2007 Edition 7Photo by Denise Gray Photography

Nothing Short of Excellence

Rebecca Franklinby Jacquee Minor

An invitation from Rebecca Franklin alwayssignals something special. The founder andCEO of Women Works Publishing, Inc.,

Franklin has a reputation for putting on the Ritz.Whether she’s inviting you into her home, or to oneof her signature events, you know it’s going to be amemorable occasion.

Listed in the portfolio of the Roswell, Georgia-basedfirm is its premiere publication, Women LookingAhead News Magazine; the newly created MenLooking Ahead magazine which debuted in 2003;and Doctors Orders, a special market publication formedical professionals introduced in 2006. The com-pany also sponsors a series of annual events, includ-ing Georgia Entrepreneurs Night, the WLA 100s Listof Georgia’s Most Powerful and Influential Women,the Woman of the Year Luncheon honoring“Ordinary Women with Extraordinary Talents andMen Who Soar,” and the ever-popular WPP PowerNetworking Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

Conceived out of a desire to spotlight the achieve-ments of women of color, Franklin took inspirationfrom Essence magazine, and her cues from GeorgeFrazier’s Success Guide, to create her first publica-tion in 1993. Women Looking Ahead NewsMagazine has gone on to earn awards and acco-lades primarily because, according to Franklin, sheexpects nothing short of excellence.

“I am successful,” Franklin says matter-of-factly,“because I expect it to happen. I don’t expect to fail.”

Her business prowess, coupled with a disarmingSouthern charm, has opened many doors. On dis-play throughout her showplace home visitors seeFranklin cozying up with the rich and famous.Among the publicity shots are Franklin’s WhiteHouse meeting with Hillary Clinton, and another

mentor, Johnny Cochran. Still, it’s her daughter,Shanika Joshua, who she most wants to impress. Themother who shields and protects her daughter fromharm, even though Shanika is now a marriedwoman, takes great pride in what she calls “mybiggest production.”

A natural people broker, Franklin has won an A-listof admirers who surround her with support, both pro-fessionally and personally. With so many experi-ences to share, she sees it as her responsibility tohelp others succeed. “I’ve had so many women toteach me the ropes,” says Franklin. I want to teachother women to believe in themselves.”

Had she pursued her childhood dreams, Franklinwould be a district attorney, prosecuting criminals.Instead, she reads design books and peruses furni-ture stores, always on the look out for something tosatisfy her admitted sofa fetish.

Above all, Franklin is the consummate hostess. Eventhe printed announcement itself is a work of art.Once there, guests receive the royal treatment. Abeautifully appointed setting that’s pleasing to thesenses, a tasteful spread of delicious food, a cheer-ful smile and a good word to lift your spirit awaitthose who enter her domain. A self-describedSouthern belle from Houston, Texas, Franklin alwaysmakes her visitors feel at home.

If only she could learn to relax. So much of her timeand energy is dedicated to the business that Franklinrarely takes vacation. And when she does take timeoff, it’s usually only a few days before she’s answer-ing calls and e-mails again. It is the kind of dedica-tion that is often the curse and the catalyst of a suc-cessful entrepreneur. Franklin wouldn’t have it anyother way.

Celebrating African-American Achievements

Who’s Who in Black Atlanta® | The 2007 Edition 9Photo by Denise Gray Photography