Tanya Turton
Bachelors in Social Work | Certified Facilitator | Award Winning Entrepreneur | Published Storyteller
Using storytelling, safe space and education, Tanya has created safer spaces for Black women, LGBTQ community and youth to feel heard, seen and witnessed. Tanya is a change maker in community with personal experience facilitating thousands or workshops across North America, and developing programs for various organizations.
Wellness and mental health became close to her heart when her older sister, who she describes as a beauty pageant socialite, died by suicide. This event forever changed her life and her investment in community healing. In 2012, she graduated from Ryerson University with a Bachelors of Social Work degree. She later went on to complete the George Brown Entrepreneurship program in 2014.
With a background in facilitation and workshop development stemming as far back to 2008, Tanya has had an opportunity to weave arts and education together. Her work has provided her the opportunity to expand the conversation across North America. In her own arts practice Tanya built an interest in the relationship between adornment, storytelling and healing. She has used adornment and photography to witness and affirm Black women and their stories. Tanya works at using her social enterprise NiaZamar to create safer spaces for holistic wellness and healing. Members are everyone from activist, artist, students, professors, executive directors, marketing associates and managerial consultants. Each seeking a space for spiritual renewal and reprieve. Her vision is to build collective care spaces that remind people there is no need to simply survive, we can thrive.