In her lifetime, Hayward had the opportunity to sit down and interview extraordinary people including, Maya Angelou, Luciano Pavarotti, and First Lady Nancy Reagan.

[3] During Black History Month, she did segments such as "Nine Who Care" to honor volunteers in the community, and "Nine Amazing Kids" to highlight local children.

[10] In 2013, Hayward was named in a lawsuit as one of five people who helped create for-profit companies that were tied with Options Public Charter School.

[10][12] Hayward, being a chairwoman for Options, was paid $8,500 for attending board meetings where she signed contracts to provide funds for Exceptional Education Services, (EES).

[14] She was involved in community organizations and projects, for example she was the Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Options Public Charter School.

[3] After battling breast cancer, Hayward encouraged more African-American women to get mammograms.

In 1995, she was nominated and received the Board of Governor's Award along with another local Emmy for "truly outstanding achievement and unique accomplishment of duration and durability.

"[3] In 2000, Hayward was inducted into the Journalism Hall of Fame by the Society of Professional Journalists.

[11] In 2007, Hayward was awarded her final local Emmy in the category of Outstanding Community Affairs.