Media-Speaking
It is my intention to use the combination of the wisdom of my life experiences and the fresh eyes of the twins from my first novel, The Other Twin, as they are starting their adult life to inspire countless people to learn, grow, and heal together.
The Other Twin book and my talks, workshops, and interviews cover many of the challenges and triumphs that young adults and their friends and families are facing today.
Although The Other Twin is a coming-of-age story of African-American twins as they embark on adulthood, it is a book about life lessons suitable for all people.
Readers of all ages, genders, and ethnicities have fallen in love with the twins, their family, and their circle of friends.
The Other Twin has been invited into families, friendships, book clubs, sister circles, sororities, youth programs and schools as the intergenerational bridge to challenging conversations.
I’m available to discuss any of the topics below on podcasts, media outlets, at schools and universities, and for nonprofits and other organizations that support our next generation.
Discussion Topics:
● Academic Achievement
● Dating, Love, and Sex
● Relationships & Situationships
● Imposter Syndrome
● Mental Health and Well-Being
● Peer Pressure
● Race Bias
● Self-Acceptance
● Sibling Rivalry
● Social Justice
● Spirituality
● Substance Abuse
● And more...
Author Showcases
Karen was a highlighted author at Planet Word Museum’s Juneteenth Black Author Book Festival. The event celebrated the words and works of successful Black writers and novelists from the Washington, DC metropolitan area.
Karen was one of only 8 authors selected to participate the 2023 Southern Region Delta Authors on Tour showcase, hosted by the Memphis Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. This signature event was developed by the Sorority's National Arts and Letters Commission to promote the literary talent of Delta authors within its sisterhood.
Karen and The Other Twin Book were featured in the Annual Arts & Letters Authors Showcase presented by the Washington DC Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.
Karen and The Other Twin Book were featured in the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority - Red Carpet Showcase for Emerging Authors sponsored by the Prince Williams County Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.
Karen was the guest for the inaugural “Author’s Corner” hosted by the Women of Global Change - Las Vegas Chapter. More than 70 people registered for this event, which included a discussion of some of the book's more powerful themes, Karen’s process for breathing life into her imagination, and her vision for sharing the book with more young people.
Book Clubs
Karen was the guest author at the book club hosted by the Prince George’s County Chapter of Jack and Jill, Incorporated. The club hosted the event to discuss the selected book - The Other Twin - and Karen’s journey from lawyer to author.
Image used with permission from Avis Kinard McAllister
The Delta Sigma Theta Sorority’s Murrieta-Temecula Area Alumnae Chapter’s Arts and Letters Committee featured The Other Twin for their Delta Reads Book Club and invited Karen to join them virtually for an engaging discussion about the book.
Makings Connections (Colleges and Young Adults)
The District of Columbia Department of Employment Services Office of Youth Programs (“OYP”) has partnered with Karen to use The Other Twin in OYP’s upcoming workforce development programs for high school students and graduates.
Academia
Dr. Monica Bickerstaff selected The Other Twin for her Freshman English Class at the College of Southern Nevada: The Sankofa Initiative: The Harlem Renaissance. Dr. Bickerstaff included this book in her curriculum to highlight the contributions of African-American female writers to the emerging literary genre of new adult fiction. Karen joined the class for a book discussion with the students.
Undergraduate Psychology students were assigned chapters from the Other Twin each week as simulate therapy sessions with Ebony, the main character. Based on the book, they prepared progress notes, developed treatment plans, and applied theoretical approaches used in therapy by counseling psychologists, which they shared with Karen in their final class.
During the first week of March 2021, in observance of Bison Book Day, a spin-off of World Book Day, Howard University featured The Other Twin among its showcase of books by alumni, faculty, student and staff authors, nearly all of which focused on Black youth development from kindergarten to college.
Advocacy
Karen has been an avid partner in the fight to conquer brain tumors since her diagnosis with Stage IV Glioblastoma in 2011. Through her active participation in legislative advocacy efforts and use of her own public and social media platforms, Karen works to raise awareness about brain cancer and brain tumors and provide support to patients and caregivers. Karen has led a top fundraising team in the annual Race for Hope DC for more than a decade. To date, her team - Team Incredibles - has raised more than $135,000 for brain cancer research. In 2022, Karen was awarded the Rabbi Weinberg Triumph of the Spirit Award for her contributions to the Race. In 2023, Karen was appointed to the Board of the National Brain Tumor Society where she hopes to use her voice to champion issues surrounding health care equity and quality of life.
Making Lemonade Out of Lemons
Karen Roberts Turner is on a mission to help inspire others to believe beyond your circumstances.
