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Work/Projects

Work/Projects
Photo by FlyD / Unsplash
Watch Dr. Turman’s Keynote: CENTRALIZING BLACK WOMEN IN PURSUIT OF A BLACK FUTURE

Current Projects

Legacy Weaver's Lab: Legacy Weaver’s Lab is a digital learning platform and community dedicated to exploring Afrofuturism, Black speculative fiction, and liberatory praxis. Through self-paced courses, workshops, and curated resources, it fosters critical inquiry, creative expression, and deep reflection. Rooted in the belief that storytelling and cultural traditions are tools for empowerment, Legacy Weaver’s Lab provides accessible and transformative learning experiences for scholars, educators, and lifelong learners alike.

As the founder, I design and lead offerings that bridge the past, present, and speculative futures—inviting participants to envision liberation, build knowledge, and create meaningful change. Current courses include explorations of Afrofuturism’s foundations, the BaKongo Cosmogram, and Black speculative fiction’s power to reimagine history and identity.

Zora Neale Hurston Summit: The inaugural Zora Neale Hurston Summit, set for January 2025 at Barnard College, celebrates the life, legacy, and enduring influence of one of the Harlem Renaissance’s most iconic figures. As a member of the steering committee, I contribute to strategic planning and content development, including creating audio narrations that bring Zora’s story to life through innovative QR code-linked experiences. This summit invites scholars, artists, and the public to explore Hurston’s impact on literature, culture, and Black womanhood.

Past Work

Curriculum co-writer for Crip Camp, the Oscar-nominated and Peabody Award-winning documentary film, merging historical narratives with modern-day activism to inspire educators and students alike.

Audio Drama Projects
As a member of the Bondfire Radio Theater Ensemble, I co-wrote and voice-acted in The Weeksville Project and served as the narrator for The Comet, two audio dramas that blend history, storytelling, and Afrofuturism.

The Weeksville Project is a three-part series inspired by the historic free Black community of Weeksville, Brooklyn. Through extensive historical research, the series reimagines life in this vibrant 19th-century town, weaving together themes of resilience, community, and speculative possibilities rooted in history.

The Comet, adapted from W.E.B. Du Bois’ seminal short story, explores themes of race, survival, and cosmic isolation. As the sole narrator, I brought this Afrofuturist vision to life, examining humanity’s potential for connection amidst global catastrophe.

These projects merge historical inquiry with speculative imagination, using audio storytelling as a medium to reclaim narratives and envision Black futures.

The Black Girl Project
Founded in 2010, The Black Girl Project is a transformative program designed to empower Black women and girls through education, storytelling, and community building. Originally launched as a documentary exploring the complexities of Black girlhood, the project evolved into a platform offering workshops, retreats, and resources that center healing, self-discovery, and collective liberation.

As the founder and visionary behind The Black Girl Project, I sought to create spaces where young Black women could explore their identities, share their stories, and build a foundation for their futures. Looking ahead to 2025, I’m working to revamp the project to address the needs of adult Black women while maintaining its focus on collective growth and empowerment.

For more information, visit blackgirlproject.org.

Speaking & Consulting

I have presented or given talks at host of institutions and organizations including, but not limited to: National Women's Studies Association, Northeast Modern Language Association, Allied Media conference, Mosaic Literary Conference, Bethune-Cookman University, NY Metropolitan American Studies Conference, Lehman College, The Society of Nineteenth-Century Americanists Conference, and American Literature Association Conference.

A Snapshot of Some of My Work

A Final Note

Several years ago, Dr. Turman had the opportunity to tell part of her and her family's story via a Story Corps special project. That story has now been archived and she is delighted to share it here with you.

Dr. Turman’s initial foray into public storytelling occurred a little over 13 years ago when she produced and directed the independent documentary feature The Black Girl Project. This led to the decade-long social action project of the same name, which ended in 2019. Here’s an interview with her ahead of the premiere.