Harry Turner Jr
Harry W. Turner Jr, also known as "Traveling Shoes" or "Traveling Shoes Preacher" (born c. 1965) is a clerk for the US Postal Service, and also an evangelist, performer and former clown.
Turner grew up in Gate City. As an 11-year-old boy he accidently shot himself in the leg with his mother's .38. After recovering he began preaching. He graduated from Banks High School in 1983 and enrolled at Farmingdale State College in Farmingdale, New York, but left in 1991 without completing a degree. He earned a certificate from the New York School of Real Estate in 1992.
Turner has worked at the Birmingham Post Office since 1993. He formerly made appearances as "Happy Harry the Clown" and has also worked as a roller-skating instructor, notary public and gospel rapper. He began working as a spokesman for Zion Memorial Gardens in 2019. In 2021 he began appearing as "Traveling Shoes Healing Skater."
Turner qualified as a candidate for the 2009 Birmingham mayoral election to fill the vacancy left by the criminal conviction of Larry Langford. As a mayoral candidate he advocated credit counseling for residents, completion of the planned domed stadium, and increased police presence. He finished 8th of 14 candidates, with 81 of 34,931 votes cast.
In 2017 Turner was ordained as a "World Activist Evangelist" by Word Progressive Ministries. In the 2021 Birmingham municipal election Turner campaigned for the vacant Birmingham City Council District 8 seat. His platform was centered on reducing gun violence.
References
- Garrison, Greg (December 5, 2009) "Birmingham mayor's race: Harry W. 'Traveling Shoes' Turner Jr. touts financial education." The Birmingham News
- Bryant, Joseph D. (August 16, 2011) "Candidate for Birmingham mayor: Harry 'Traveling Shoes' Turner Jr." The Birmingham News
- "Who’s Running For Birmingham City Council?" (August 16, 2021) WBHM.org/Birmingham Watch
External links
- Harry "Traveling Shoes Preacher" Turner on Facebook.com