Each month, metromode's Regional
Activation Zone features someone who invests his or her time, dollars
and career savvy into making Southeast Michigan better.
Who:
Reginald Turner, 46, a partner and executive committee member of
Clark Hill law firm in Detroit, and a board member of the
United Way for Southeastern Michigan. In May he will take over as chair of the United Way board locally, and is the first African American to hold the seat.
Background: Among
other activities, Turner helped the University of Michigan state its
affirmative action case before the U.S. Supreme Court, served as an
advisor to both of Detroit's recent mayors, Kilpatrick and Archer, as
well as President Clinton; he served as a White House Fellow in 1996
and 1997 helping shape its urban economic policies.
Turner
brings his lifelong commitment to diversity and equal opportunity to
his Clark Hill professional work and civic contributions. With 18 years
of expertise in labor and employment law and government relations he
notched a listing in The Best Lawyers in America. A "hands on" leader
he motivated thousands of lawyers during his tenure as president of the
National Bar Association (2005 – 2006) to conduct pro-bono work helping
hurricane victims rebuild their lives.
Personal: Turner
grew up in the Bagley Community of northwest Detroit where his father,
Reginald Turner Sr., then Deputy Chief of the Detroit Police
Department, took an active role in schools and community. Turner, Jr.,
who graduated from the University of Michigan Law School, lives in
Detroit with his wife Marcia, Director of Retail Advertising for the
Detroit Newspaper Agency, and their two daughters. The family belongs
to the Detroit Golf Club.
Volunteer history: Turner
chooses to invest much of his free time to making southeastern Michigan
a better place. He is a 2005 winner of the Community Peacemaker award
from Wayne State University's Center for Peace & Conflict Studies,
a Michigan Lawyer of the Year for 2005, and past president of the State
Bar of Michigan. Among the listings in his public service portfolio, he
serves as vice chair of the Detroit Institute of Arts and vice chair of
the Detroit Police Foundation. He is on the board of directors for the
Hudson-Webber Foundation and formerly served on the Blue Ribbon
Commission on Michigan Gaming when casinos came to Detroit in the late
1990s.
Turner relishes his role as one of 30 board members for
the United Way, helping the leadership guide its mission toward
critical areas with measurable impact. This includes educational
preparedness, economic stability and safety net services. "I have a
passion for service to the community and I work with a wonderful team
of volunteers and a really motivated and talented staff. I think like a
lawyer but not the lawyer for the United Way."
On investing time: "I
try not to count how many hours I devote to United Way, but I believe
it is one of the best organizations to help make the city of Detroit
and our region a better place to live. Here is where you find people
with the Midwestern work ethic, people with big hearts. They are
generous with their time, their attention and with resources necessary
to make our community better."
Why he volunteers: "I
help my community because I think that is my responsibility as a
person. I have a moral and spiritual responsibility. Charitable work
can be complementary to my professional work because of the knowledge I
gain, but that is not the aim. I generally work 60 to 80 hours a week
to fit it all in."
How could others serve better on
boards? The United Way offers a series of workshops that focus on
building the capacity of current and prospective nonprofit board
members and executive staff. Each workshop is held on the campus of
Lawrence Technological University in Southfield. Future meetings deal
with how to build your board, creating an effective board team and
becoming a leader. People interested can email
lindman@ltu.edu or call (248) 204-3095.
What is the Regional Activation Zone? A place to Get inspired. Get informed. Get connected. Read about it here.
Volunteer Center:
United
Way connects individuals and groups with meaningful volunteer
opportunities throughout the region. Through Volunteer Solutions,
United Way's online matching tool, you can find an opportunity that
interests you and is close to home. Get started by
clicking here.
2-1-1:
Dial
2-1-1 to be connected to more than 7,000 health and human services in
southeast Michigan.
Whether you need assistance or want to lend a hand, 2-1-1 is there for
you. To learn more, or submit a request online, click here.
Photographs © Dave Krieger
Enjoy this story?
Sign up for free solutions-based reporting in your inbox each week.