Bernard A. Harris graduated from Sam Houston High School in San Antonio, Texas in 1974.

Dr. Harris holds a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Biology from the University of Houston, a Master of Medical Science (MMS) from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Houston Clear Lake and a Doctorate of Medicine (MD) from Texas Tech University School of Medicine. He completed a Residency in Internal Medicine at the Mayo Clinic, a National Research Council Fellowship in Endocrinology at the NASA Ames Research Center and trained as a Flight Surgeon at the Aerospace School of Medicine, Brooks Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. He is also a licensed private pilot and certified scuba diver.

He holds several faculty appointments including, Associate Professor in Internal Medicine at the University of Texas Medical Branch and Assistant Professor at Baylor College of Medicine. Additionally, he is the author and co-author of numerous scientific publications.

Dr. Harris was at NASA for ten years, where he conducted research in musculoskeletal physiology and disuse osteoporosis. Later, as Head of the Exercise Countermeasure Project, he conducted clinical investigations of space adaptation and developed in-flight medical devices to extend Astronaut stays in space. Selected into the Astronaut Corp in January 1990, Dr. Harris was a Mission Specialist on the Space Shuttle Columbia STS-55/Spacelab D-2 in 1993. As Payload Commander on Space Shuttle Discovery STS-63 in 1995, he served on the first flight of the joint Russian-American Space Program, becoming the “First African American to walk in Space”. A veteran astronaut for over nineteen years, he has logged more than 438 hours and traveled over 7.2 million miles in space.

He served as Vice President and Chief Scientist of SPACEHAB, Inc., an innovative space commercialization company where he directed the company’s space science business. He also served as Vice President of Business Development for Space Media, Inc., an Informatics company, establishing an e-commerce initiative that is now part of the United Nations’ education program.

Currently, he is on the Board for the National Math and Science Initiative, Houston Angel Network, Medical Informatics, Technology and Applications Center, Houston Technology Center and the National Space Biomedical Research Institute, Board of Scientific Counselors. In addition, he was a Senior Consultant for NASA Aerospace Safety Panel, Member of the NASA Biological and Physical Sciences Committee, Council for the National Institute of Health/National Institute for Deafness, Texas Tech University Board of Regents, Texas Higher Education Coalition, Texas Commission on a Representative Student Body and Communications Disorders and Committee for the National Academies Institute of Medicine.

Dr. Harris is currently Chief Executive Officer and Managing Partner of Vesalius Ventures, Inc., a venture capital firm, that invests in early to mid stage Healthcare technologies and companies. He is also the Founder of The Harris Foundation, a non-profit organization that supports mathematics/science education and crime prevention programs for America's youth.

He is the recipient of numerous awards, including honorary doctorates from Stony Brook University (SUNY), Morehouse School of Medicine, New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) and University of Hartford, NASA Space Flight Medal, NASA Award of Merit, a fellow of the American College of Physicians, and was the recipient of the 2000 Horatio Alger Award.

Dr. Harris’ goals in life have been achieved through self-empowerment and self-determination. He believes that education and effort will allow anyone to meet any challenge in life, inspiring others to reach for the stars.

Naturi Naughton

Born and raised in East Orange, New Jersey, Naturi started singing in the choir at New Hope Baptist Church, when she was just 5 years old. She still recalls the day when she joined the choir and sang her first solo. From that day, Naturi realized that singing and performing was her true calling. She started singing at many different events throughout New Jersey. She performed in concerts at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center and she became the national anthem singer for the NJ Nets home games. The talented young girl was driven by her passion and was making her presence known.

By the time Naturi was 14 years old, her career shifted from a local talent to a professional recording artist. She became a member of girl band 3LW. Within 6 months, the group scored a record deal with Sony/Epic Records. Naturi achieved a platinum selling album (1.3 million sold) with her former group 3LW. While still a teenager, shetoured nationwide with Destiny’s Child, N’SYNC and had the opportunity to work with notable producers such as P. Diddy and Full Force. Unfortunately, the group disbanded in 2002 but Naturi used her adversities as motivation to continue striving for her dreams.

Outside of the entertainment business, Naturi was already an honor student throughout her school years. She attended Seton Hall University for 2 years where she continued her honor studies in Political Science. Just before her junior year, she landed the role of “Little Inez” for the National Touring Company of “Hairspray” which led to her Broadway debut in “Hairspray” in the same role in 2006. Naturi has maintained her role on Broadway for over two years. Naturi is thrilled to be entering the world of films and excited that another one of her dreams has been realized. She is anxious to demonstrate her many skills as a singer, actress, dancer, and songwriter. As gifted as Naturi may be, she remains humble and grateful to God for her blessings. She praises her parents for supporting her dreams and raising her with so much love, encouragement, and faith. This is only the beginning for Naturi. Currently, she continues to work on her own music for her solo project and also in the TV and film industries. Moreover, she hopes that her talent, passion and unfailing work ethic will continue to lead her to success.

Naturi resides in Los Angeles and New York.

Deborah Duncan

One of Houston’s most recognizable local personalities, and host of KHOU-TV’s Great Day Houston will delight the crowd with her stellar vocals. Duncan is the recipient of many local and national awards for television excellence, including two Emmy Awards, two Gracie Allen Awards and a Telly Award, among others.

A Radio-Television-Film graduate of the University of Texas in Austin, Duncan worked at the CBS and ABC stations in Austin. She later moved to Dallas, where she started a talk show called "Good Morning Texas" at WFAA-TV, the sister station of KHOU-TV. Deborah and her co-host were eventually asked to anchor the morning news. After three years, Deborah moved to New York City to co-host a talk show for Lifetime Television called "Our Home." Duncan returned to Houston in 2002. Her achievements on the air, however, are transcended by her commitment and dedication to community service. Deborah is passionate about many causes and chairs numerous community events. In addition, she serves on the National Board of Directors for Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and is a Board Member for the Palmer Drug Abuse Program (PDAP).