Today we’d like to introduce you to Char’Nese Turner.
Hi Char’Nese, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My story starts before I could even tell it myself… As my mother remembers it, she was grilling on Memorial Day when her water broke, about three months before I was due.
I weighed one pound, ten ounces at birth, small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. My parents dressed me in doll clothes for the first few months of my life because nothing else fit. It was a traumatic start for all of us, but even then, I don’t think it could hold back what I was meant to do!
When I was six, my grandmother gave me a journal and told me: “whenever you’re happy, sad, or feeling in between, write it down.” That gift set everything in motion! It carried me from the South Side of Chicago all the way to the University of Missouri, where I earned both my undergraduate and graduate degrees from the best journalism school in the world.
Nine years ago, that same instinct to use my voice and to serve led me to establish Tribe Tribute, an organization dedicated to giving women and girls the resources and community to become their best selves. My passion has opened doors I never imagined — writing for major media outlets and now serving as Editorial Director at The Barack Obama Foundation. Every day, I get to do what I love: tell stories that lift up humanity, through my work and with Tribe Tribute.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Life has been an ebb and flow of blessings and lessons, and I’ve come to appreciate every part of the process because at the end of the day, it’s my story! I’ve faced systemic barriers, moments of self-doubt, internal and external pressure, and all the kinds of struggles that make us human. But I’ve learned to value the sunshine on my face just as much as the quiet moments that make me reflect on where I’ve been and where I’m going.
Through it all, I’ve learned to hold onto perspective and remember that I’m forever a student of life. I keep living—learning and unlearning—to become the best version of myself so I can give more to the world.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
What sets me apart is my intentionality. The care I bring to getting it right, not just on the page or screen, but on a soul level is real. As a journalist and storyteller, my job is to see the person first, understand them fully, and then amplify their story. That’s been my mission from day one: to show how much more connected we are than not.
Everything I do is rooted in the belief that people-centered work is the best way to serve. Whether it’s my editorial work or the annual Tribe Tribute conference, scholarship, programs, and initiatives. I’m most proud of the relationships I’ve built along the way—mentors, friends, collaborators, and the hundreds of women who’ve found community through Tribe Tribute; the stories I’ve had the honor of sharing; and the trust people place in me to uplift their truth.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
To all of the people who have supported my journey, near and far, THANK YOU!
If anything part of my story resonates, I’d love for you to stay connected! Learn more about Tribe Tribute and our community at TribeTribute.org, check out our 2026 conference recap: https://rb.gy/2fyx2k, and come visit the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://tribetribute.org
- Facebook: https://www.instagram.com/chargotit/
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/yzTVZjgfgp4?si=0hmxjBdhfwX1tSQw
Image Credits
MyReneStudios
Paper Clip Films
