Michael T. Turner was educated in the Detroit Public School System and graduated from Henry Ford High School in 1977. He began his career in labor, business, and public administration in 1983 interning with the United Steelworkers of America International Union. While assigned, he studied collective bargaining procedures and campaign organization working with Human Affairs and the Political Action and Affirmative Action Committees.

In 1984, Turner was appointed Director of the Community Service Department for Metro Detroit AFL-CIO. Over the next five years, his responsibilities included the development of programs for AFL-CIO Union Affiliates. He also taught effective community service practices to various labor organizations; assisted union members experiencing negative labor situations; coordinated political activities for AFL-CIO endorsed candidates, and served as organized labor liaison in the United Way's "Torch Drive" campaign. In 1991, Turner transitioned to the corporate realm as President of Bonded Janitor Maintenance Services where he managed daily operations, customer relations, and sales. However, in 1993 he reactivated his involvement in labor issues by serving as Vice President of Union Relations at Union HealthCare Corporation through 1998.

Turner continued answering the call to Public Service in 1998 he was appointed to Neighborhood City Halls by then-Mayor of Detroit Dennis Archer. As Manager, Turner represented the Mayor and communicated his initiatives to community, civic, labor, and business stakeholders. From 2002 to 2003, Turner served as Executive Assistant in the Office of the Wayne County Executive. However, recognizing his expertise in dealing with labor, business, and community organizations, the Mayor of the City of Detroit appointed Turner as Special Assistant. He served in that role through 2007 when he returned to the Executive's Office at Wayne County. Two years later he was appointed by incoming Sheriff Benny N. Napoleon to become Chief of Staff for the Wayne County Sheriff's Office.

Michael Turner graduated from the Institute of Labor and Industrial Relations in 1983 from Wayne State University. He is a Golden Heritage Member of the NAACP and sits on the Boards of the Detroit Urban League, NAACP, and Detroit Youthville. He has also received numerous honors including awards from the Michigan State Senate, Detroit City Council, and Outstanding Young Men of America, as well as the City of Detroit Certificate of Excellence and City of Detroit Community Service Recognition.

Turner is married and has three children.