Thirteen television luminaries are now members of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Southeast Chapter ‘s (NATAS SE) prestigious Gold and Silver Circles. Ten television professionals were inducted into the Silver Circle and three honorees entered the Gold Circle. Former Atlanta mayor and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Andrew Young joined the nearly two hundred television professionals who gathered at Atlanta’s Grand Hyatt Hotel Friday night September 10 to honor the 2020 and 2021 honorees.

 “The chance to gather together—to see and hear from legendary trailblazers like Billye Suber Aaron, Xernona Clayton and the 11 other honorees –was such a blessing to everyone in attendance. During these difficult times, these honorees reminded us that we have overcome in the past—and we will continue to overcome in the future. We just have to follow their examples of selfless dedication to our profession and to the public whom we serve,” said NATAS SE Chapter President Evelyn Mims.

The Gold Circle is a distinction reserved for those who have dedicated 50 or more years pioneering, advancing and serving the industry and the public. This year’s Gold circle inductees are Billye Aaron (TV Pioneer), Xernona Clayton (TV Pioneer), and Eric Land (ABC33/40.) The Gold Circle honorees included legendary station manager Eric Land who began his career at age 13 cleaning weatherboards and Billye Suber Aaron and Xernona Clayton, the first two Black women featured on-air in the Southeast in the late 60’s. Clayton described those early days in television and what they meant to other and to those who followed.

 “I didn’t even seek the opportunity to go on television, I was busy fighting the dragons of prejudice and bigotry…we made such great strides because we helped other people come into the industry.”

 The 2020-21 Silver Circle represents news and television professionals with 25 or more years of experience leading and innovating in service of their communities. The Silver Circle honorees are Alvin Bryant (WSB-TV), Ray Carter (WSB-TV), Gianncarlo Cifuentes (Univision), Deborah Collura (WGCL-TV), Chris Holcomb (WXIA-TV), Karen Minton (WSB-TV), Vicki Montet (CNN Newsource), Jon Nelson (GPB), Tai Takahashi (WJTV/WHLT), Bill Walsh (WCSC-TV)