Black History is #HerStory | A DC Native

Sheneé Turner

Director in the Office of Petroleum Reserves

Perseverance, hard work, and support are the words Sheneé Turner uses to describe the extraordinary contributions African Americans have made in this country and in her community.

Growing up very near DOE in the Capitol Hill community in Washington, DC, Sheneé remembers the sense of community, love, support - and discipline - she experienced in that predominantly African American community.

She recalls living in a neighborhood where people were proud of their heritage; they embodied the concept of Black excellence. Those experiences shaped and molded her into the phenomenal woman she is today.

According to Sheneé, “On Capitol Hill, everybody knew everybody! Our common experiences connected our community." The families in this neighborhood attended the same churches, schools, community centers, and banks.  There were three schools – Watkins Elementary, Hine Jr. High, and Eastern High – go Ramblers! Sheneé attended all three schools.

She said, “Our shared experiences held everyone from my childhood community together – that’s true even today.  I remember the community of teachers, church family, and afterschool recreational staff that extended a helping hand - well beyond what was expected of them.”

When Sheneé was about ten years old, she and her family faced a difficult time. She recalls the support and love she received from her teachers and the entire community. She says, "It's because of my teachers’ kindness and dedication that I overcame that challenging time!"

Sheneé is honored to represent the Capitol Hill neighborhood and she treasures what it means to have grown up in a strong, supportive, and thriving African American community.

This Black History Month, Sheneé reminds us of the dedication, hard work, and perseverance of those who have paved the way for her. “We are in unprecedented times and the African American community is facing unprecedented challenges.  I believe that the solid foundation I received equipped me with the right tools to succeed in life, and it is my mission to keep those traditions alive so that others might benefit from them as well,” she says.   

Sheneé is dedicated to serving her community every day. She is a mentor and advisor to inner-city youth and young adults who seek to learn career and leadership development skills.

And, Sheneé is proud of her work as a civil servant. She often shares her professional and personal experiences with her mentees to help them become productive and successful adults.