Award-winning photo-journalist/producer /author Miki Turner (journey to the woman i’ve come to love, tomorrow) has been working in the communications industry for more than 29 years, specializing in print, television, radio and new media. Before completing her first book, journey to the woman i’ve come to love, Turner held positions at the NFL Network, Jet magazine, ESPN, MSNBC.com, AOL.com, BET, and several newspapers. Additionally, her work has appeared in Ebony, Essence, Upscale and Arise magazines. She is currently teaching photojournalism and the history of journalism at the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School of Communication and Journalism.
Turner’s journalism career began at the Cincinnati Enquirer, writing breaking news and features for the Kentucky bureau. From there she moved into sports, becoming the first black female sportswriter in the state of Virginia. In 1989, after having served as PR director for the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association, Turner became the first regularly featured black female sports columnist in the country at the Oakland Tribune in Oakland, Calif. She moved to Southern California in 1992, covering the NBA and pro tennis for the Orange County Register; and entertainment for Satellite Orbit/Satellite Direct magazines.
At the turn of the century, Turner accepted a position as the L.A-based pop culture critic for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, covering the film, television and music industries. After three years, Turner was recruited to help launch ESPN.com’s Page 3, which focused on the correlation between entertainment and sports. Three years later she was hired as a producer for a new ESPN TV series called ESPN Hollywood hosted by Mario Lopez and Thea Andrews.
In 2006 Turner began focusing her efforts on new media as an on-air host and producer for AOL Black Voices, covering the entertainment industry. She held similar positions at MSNBC.com, BET.com, the Chicago Tribune RedEye and Jet magazine. Her bestselling book, journey to the woman i’ve come to love, features portraits of celebrities and other women from all walks of life; and their responses to the question: at what point did you fall in love with yourself? She currently freelances for theroot.com, Upscale and Arise magazines.
Turner donates her time to various causes and enjoys working with at-risk children and abused women. This year she was honored at Wiley College with the Women of Excellence in Journalism Award. Additionally, she has won numerous journalism and photography awards; and in 1991, one very special award for her commitment to mentoring children when she was honored with the U.S. Girl Scouts DAISY Award (Distinguished Achievement in Inspiring and Serving Youth). She has also helped raise money for the Jenesse Center, an organization that works to rehabilitate abused women and children; and Turner and her friend, actress Laurel Holloman, raised nearly $50,000 for the Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust. The funds went toward education and health care for women. She is currently raising money for the Ethiopia Health Aid organization by donating partial proceeds from her latest book, tomorrow.
Turner, who has lived in Oakland, Calif., Boston, New York, Washington, D.C. and Hampton, Va., was born and reared in Cincinnati, Ohio. She attended Wyoming High School, where she was a marginally talented musician before getting kicked out of band camp; and played basketball, softball, field hockey and ran track. Turner received her B.A. degree in mass media arts from Hampton University and an M.S. in journalism from Boston University. In 1989, she was selected as one of 16 fellows at the Maynard Institute for Journalism Education at UC-Berkeley.
Among her career honors are a 1982 CIAA Sportswriter of the Year Award, 1995 National Association of Black Journalists award, two Kodak International Snapshot Awards and two Miller Lite Sports Journalism Awards.
In her spare time Turner, who resides in Los Angeles, enjoys traveling, photographing lively children, watching classic movies, spa days, fine red wines and playing tennis and golf.