TANYA TURTON, BSW, MSW
Tanya Turton is an award-winning entrepreneur, author, speaker, and known for her powerful storytelling and dedication to mental health advocacy. With a passion for amplifying intersectional stories, Tanya creates spaces where Black and queer communities feel heard, seen, and validated.
Her remarkable contributions have earned her the RBC Black Diamond Award for community leadership and entrepreneurship, as well as the Afropolitan Women of Diversity Entrepreneurship Award. Tanya holds a Bachelor of Social Work from Toronto Metropolitan University and a Master of Social Work from Dalhousie University, grounding her work in exploring the intricate relationship between narrative, mental wellness, and care.
Tanya is the author of Jade Is a Twisted Green, a compelling coming-of-age novel that delves into Jamaican Canadian identity, love, passion, grief, chosen family, and the rediscovery of life’s pleasures after loss. Her writing extends to the academic sphere, with a chapter in the textbook Reframing Trauma Through Social Justice titled Collective Care for Collective Trauma, which examines the impact of narrative therapy and collective care on marginalized communities. Her work has also been featured in Shameless Magazine and AllLitUp.com. Turton’s writing has been described as “luscious, earthed, as if the text was breathing”.
As a dynamic speaker and educator, Tanya captivates audiences with insightful talks and compelling narratives. Described as "transformative" and "deeply resonant," her presentations have inspired and moved audiences across North America.
Tanya is the founder and Executive Director of Adornment Stories Collective, a grassroots mental health nonprofit that empowers Black women, femmes, queer, trans, and non-binary communities to share their stories through creative expression while building capacity. Additionally, she is the Lead Educator and founder of NiaZamar, an intersectional education platform offering equity consulting, collective care workshops, and mindful leadership coaching.
Driven by the belief that storytelling is a powerful tool for healing, Tanya is committed to creating spaces where narratives become a source of strength and connection.
When not writing or speaking, Tanya enjoys taking long walks with her partner, laughing with friends, and connecting with readers and audiences around the globe.
To learn more about Tanya’s upcoming projects or to invite her to speak at your next event, visit tanyaturton.com.
Author | speaker | Founder
World Building at the intersection of narrative and care.
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“Tanya did such an amazing job creating space and levity around the topic of mental health. She was incredible. And she was definitely the best dressed, by far.”
““As a facilitator, Tanya accesses individuals in a way that leaves an impression that lasts a life time. She is a leader in her community sharing with us through humor, pop culture, and self-knowledge. Through attending her workshops, I have learned to make wigs, felt empowered to start a business and/or understand how sacred my labour is, and be kinder to myself as a being on this earth. I strongly believe there is no one better in Toronto to lead an aesthetically empowering resource for Black femme identified people.””
“In the time that I have known Tanya, she has exhibited exceptional commitment and passion to the organization and community development and engagement in general. Participants of the program have praised her for her work. I am extremely impressed with her dedication and work ethic to this project and to the organization.”
JADE IS A TWISTED GREEN
NiaZamar: Redefining Beauty
Adornment Stories