On Friday night, President-elect Donald Trump announced his nomination of Scott Turner as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), marking the first time a Black individual has been selected for a cabinet position in his administration.
In an email, Trump expressed his pleasure in nominating Turner, a former NFL player, for the role. Turner previously served as the Executive Director of the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council during Trump’s first term, where he played a key role in efforts to revitalize distressed communities.
Working alongside former HUD Secretary Ben Carson, Turner helped implement over 200 policy actions and facilitated more than $50 billion in private investment through Opportunity Zones.
A graduate of the University of Illinois, Turner was drafted by the Washington Redskins and spent nine years in the NFL. He later won a seat in the Texas State House.
Turner is also the founder and CEO of the Community Engagement & Opportunity Council (CEOC), which works to revitalize communities across the U.S. through sports, mentorship, and economic opportunities. He serves on the board of the American Cornerstone Institute and is an associate pastor at Prestonwood Baptist Church.
Trump congratulated Turner, his wife Robin, and their son Solomon, expressing confidence that Turner will work alongside him to “Make America Great Again for EVERY American.”
