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Douglas Everett Turner

@turnerdouglas

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writer, curator, creator of the black femme residency, events extraordinaire, on a geneology research journey.

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Many of my closest know I’ve been on a journey uncovering truths, settling confusions, and yesterday I finally made my sojourn to Great Barrington to visit the graves of my family. Many people visit Mahaiwe Cemetery where Dubois and his family are buried, but if you take the path you will find his elders who he so often wrote about, my fourth great grandparents Harlow A. Burghardt Sr. of Great Barrington (1803-1874) and Althea King Burghardt of Sharon, CT. (1806-1875) The plot is also the final resting place for my 3rd Great grandaunt and uncle William Piper (1842-1891) and Martha A. (Burghardt) Piper (1848-1910).

My day in Great Barrington began with a visit to The Du Bois Freedom Center @duboisfreedomgb to discuss our family history. Executive Director John Lloyd and historian, Marcus Smith, have been fantastic and nothing but welcoming. Marcus is a PhD at UMASS Amherst. They maintain the Burghardt Du Bois archives.

This leg of the journey has officially launched! taken in Great Barrington, Massachusetts by @turnerdouglas

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6 months ago

Ok so here we go... I'm kicking off Journey of the Black Burghardts! Happy Birthday Helen Adele (Freeman) Turner. The truth is I have an understanding about her silence, family stories never shared... But why would I start with the answers?? Follow along for the journey!

I'll also be sharing research tips for everyone BUT especially useful research tips for the Black Diaspora! Keep an eye out for more stories that I've pieced together and maybe someone out there will help solve some of the mysteries and untitled family photos!

#webdubois
#blackhistory
#greatbarrington
#journeyoftheblackburghardts
#albanyny taken in Albany, NY by @turnerdouglas

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4 months ago

Celebrating the completion of another year! Despite health challenges, state of the world, and longing, it felt richer, more intentional, more purposeful. You have to be strong in challenging times, and I am grateful that my body is rebounding.

Pretty straight forward this year, and the year ahead. Resting will still be my love language, however, taking it easy day in and day out gets boring for anyone, and especially for us Virgos. Stopping the dominoes from careening out of control, has been more than a year long journey. We at the Team Turner Health Initiative (Dr Latoya Freeman-Bemen, my Rheumatologist + Dr Freddie Verzosa, and a host of specialists), have been working diligently to restore my immune system and my physical strength. Having any disease or illness stinks, and a debilitating disease like (subcutaneous) Lupus for this bright light seems unfair. How I feel about it changes daily, and I am grateful for the friends who get it, but never let me fall to despair. You’ve been my hosts, dinner dates, coffee talks, FaceTimes, and late night phone callers. You’ve been my buddy, my old lady neighbor, or the barista up the street.

In my outright refusal to succumb, I’ve had a fantastic year of treating myself. I’m especially encouraged by the genealogy bug that finally bit me so good that I live for its serum and have made some pretty amazing discoveries about my family’s unique history in this Northeastern region. Which I fully intend to write about.

Every day is a blessing and I am celebrating this life in all its foibles and nuances. So much continued anticipation for the sense of renewal and adventure that washes over me.

“Comfortable in my skin
Cozy with who I am
Comfortable in my skin (cozy, cozy)
Comfortable in my skin
Feet up above your sins
I love myself, goddamn (cozy, cozy)…
Been down, been up, been broke, broke down, bounced back. Been off, been on, been back, what you know about that? Been the light, been dark, been the truth, been that King Doug energy” — Bey

📸 @themaxwellwhyte by @turnerdouglas

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2 months ago

To the best of releases, and the brightest rebirthings 💗 taken in New York, New York by @turnerdouglas

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7 months ago

📯📯📯
My thoughts are scattered when I reflect back on 2025. Good things are happening (more on that in ‘26), but also my health has been low-key disastrous since March after finally addressing much needed oral surgery (Lupus). Surgery was fantastic but the body couldn’t deal (also Lupus). So thankful that hospital stays were not a part of the mix. But I’ve been poked and prodded, and put back on a special little pill (HCQ -month 4- if you know, you know). And now here I am writing this, sick as all-get-out with some shit that’s like Covid and like Flu, but testing negative. Scattered because I’m also grateful for where I’ve placed my efforts; finding out just how rigged our health insurance system is with first hand experiences, it’s frightening. I am insured and STILL have medical debt. Thanking myself for choices I’ve made... I can wipe that debt clear in time. My heart goes out to my fellow Lupus Warriors who can’t afford the level of care I am being provided.

I am also holding up POC Medical Practioners to the light they deserve. My new Rheumatologist Dr Latoya Freeman-Beman is on my side... has the time for questions, and doesn’t talk down.

My recovery process would not be happening without the kindness and love of family, friends, and coworkers. And to my own fortitude and resilience. Lupus lays heavy an emotional toll, and manifests in unpleasant ways. Thank you to everyone who “couldn’t imagine,” yet somehow knew exactly what I needed. Thank you for being so giving and understanding. Healing takes time, half way to metamorphosis.

I can’t wait to take on 2026, I’ve got so much good news to share. Everywhere I turn, I’m handed a new opportunity to be of service to our most vulnerable New Yorkers. My steadfast, if not obsessive, impulse to uncover my paternal lineage. 150 years of mystery comes to an end! Or am I just getting started?

Let's all put our efforts to ending global regimes and cults who believe Genocide is OK if the victims have brown skin! 🍉

🎉Happy New Year 🎉 taken in New York, New York by @turnerdouglas

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10 months ago

One bar of service. Leave a message after the tone. taken in Dutchess County by @turnerdouglas

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a year ago

@youthjustice_network (formerly Friends of the Island Academy) Celebrated 35 Years of being a life line for thousands of Young Adults across all boroughs.

We are the M Spencer Foundation on an inspiring mission to support nonprofits like YJN! We are united with YJN’s actions to “promote equity and dignity in the justice system - One Youth, One Decision, One Policy, One Law at a time.” We are proud to have been a “Reformer” Sponsor ensuring six Young Adults could attend the evening’s festivities, in their honor.

Formalities included proclamations by Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, dialogues between past YJN young adults and community leaders, as well as powerful words by Chief of Staff for Latrice M. Walker, IsIs McIntosh Green, Brooklyn Org president Jocelynne Rainey and artist, poet, teacher, actor Liza Jessie Peterson. With music provided by Music on the Inside (MOTI connects youth and adults impacted by incarceration with professional musicians as teachers and mentors to bring hope and healing.) It was a great time for a great cause! taken in Columbus Circle by @turnerdouglas

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a year ago

Weekend Report taken in Not Here by @turnerdouglas

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a year ago

Joyful, colorful. You know I had to see for myself how Jordan Casteel's upstate garden manifests in her work.
And to see black women taking up space upstate ... Very specific.

Come to think of it, zooming in seems to be a must for me with Jordan's portraits and landscapes. And hands, I love how she paints hands. I see life, history, care and compassion. My first garden in Schenectady, New York was saturated with love and reverence for my Mother, Fannie Bell.

Covering The Holes In Our Walls With Sunflowers @jordanmcasteel @caseykaplangallery taken in Casey Kaplan by @turnerdouglas

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a year ago

#mamdani by @turnerdouglas

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a year ago

#mamdani by @turnerdouglas

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a year ago

Mark 38 Minutes. Race Called. #mamdani by @turnerdouglas

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a year ago