Turquoise LeJeune Parker is a proud graduate of the greatest Historically Black College and University, North Carolina Central University.
Turquoise is the Teacher of Mrs. Parker’s Professors in Durham, N.C. She is a teacher who shares with the world her creativity and all the wonderful things her Professors are accomplishing through social media outlets. On June 15, 2016, Turquoise along with 13 other North Carolina Public School teachers (one of those 13 being her husband) participated in civil disobedience because she believes strongly that her children and all children deserve more.
On Wednesday May 16, 2018, educators all across North Carolina put in a personal day and converged on the NC capital to demand accountability from lawmakers for their decade long divestment from and attack on public schools. Over 40 school districts had to close due to shortage of labor. Over 30,000 educators, students, parents and community members from all corners of the state marched demanding better resources for their students including an increase in per-student spending and the expansion of Medicaid. Turquoise LeJuene Parker was a key organizer both in the state’s Organize 2020 caucus—the strategic force behind the mobilization–and in Durham county—the first local to organize and inspire other locals to join the mobilization. In this particular moment, her work focused on raising the visibility of the cause and the strategic framing of the issues for mass media while working closely with other on-the-ground organizers to plan and implement the logistics for the day itself. She has taken on a variety of leadership roles promoting, training, speaking and organizing for the strategic approach toward winning racial and social justice in our schools and communities.
Starting as a small project to help feed the students in Mrs. Parker’s classroom in 2015, the Mrs. Parker’s Professors Foodraiser today has raised more than $100,000 by Mrs. Parker and generous donors from all over the country. This Foodraiser serves over 5,000 students in Durham Public Schools who receive free or reduced-price lunch.
Turquoise has spoken at Thee North Carolina Central University, The Harvard Law School twice, Democracy Alliance Conference, Boston Teachers Union, Staff Development for Educators National Conference, Guest lecturer at several Universities, the Washington Post, featured on CNN, Good Morning America and ABC World News Tonight with David Muir as Person of the Week.
She is a member of several organizations such as Durham Association of Educators (Vice President), a Board Member of the North Carolina Association of Educators and the National Education Association Director for North Carolina (NEA Director), and many other organizations. It is her passion to do her part, that people get the best that God has to offer; and live to fulfill their Purpose! She lives her life according to Jeremiah 29:11. Her favorite role is being the wife of Donald Parker III and Momma to Madame Turquoise LeJeune Parker. They reside in Durham, NC.
