about us

The Harris Institute/Foundation is a 501 (c) (3), non-profit organization founded by former NASA Astronaut Dr. Bernard A. Harris, Jr., to serve socially and economically disadvantaged communities locally and across the nation striving to reach the most underserved populations in the areas of Education, Health, and Wealth.

The Harris Institute/Foundation were established to advance the mission of creating community-based initiatives that – 1) enhance the quality of education; 2) improve health and wellbeing; 3) create and sustain wealth. We empower individuals, minorities, and others who are underserved, underrepresented, and/or socioeconomically disadvantaged to recognize their potential and pursue their dreams. Its initiatives are administered by The Harris Foundation, Inc., through the creation of innovative programs.

Through “Policies in action”, we are addressing critical issues facing America and developing programs for change!

about

 

 

GOALS AND MISSION

 

Our overall Mission is to conduct research, to develop policies in action and to invest in programs that address the critical issues facing America in education, health and wealth.

Specifically, the Institute advocates to:


Our Goal is to raise individual achievement by deliberately promoting six principles:


The Education Mission of the Harris Institute/Foundation is to “e
nhance the quality education” by enabling youth to develop and achieve their full potential through the support of educational programs, particularly science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics – STEM and STEAM.

The Health Mission of the Harris Institute/Foundation is to “Improve health and wellbeing” by creating and implementing strategies/programs for wellness, fitness and health.

The Wealth Mission of the Harris Institute/Foundation is to “Create and Sustain wealth” through enhancing the financial intelligence (FIQ) of individuals and their families by educating people of the basics of finance to meet their and the communities’ economic needs.

The Harris Institute believes that by focusing on these three areas, students and communities can be prepared now for the future through structured programs that utilize positive role models in these three key areas.  The Institute works closely with the Harris foundation to: 1) Empower youth to develop their potential and pursue their dreams; 2) Partner with communities to provide optimum health and wellness and; 3) Secure futures success by teaching financial skills and entrepreneurship.


1998 - 2017

The History of the Harris Institute/Foundation


TIMELINE


Received Approval as a Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Provider in Texas

May 1, 2017

Received Approval as a Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Provider in Texas

Launched the STEM Centers of Academic Excellence

July 15, 2016

Launched the STEM Centers of Academic Excellence

Hosted our first all Girls Summer STEM Academy

July 8, 2016

Hosted our first all Girls  Summer STEM Academy

Kick off of the Igniting STEAM program

May 12, 2016

Kick off of the Igniting STEAM program

Launch of the Innovative Medical Missions

October 1, 2015

Launch of the Innovative Medical Missions

Creation of the 1st College & Career Readiness App

September 15, 2013

Creation of the 1st College & Career Readiness App

Formation of the Financial Literacy program

March 20, 2012

Formation of the Financial Literacy program

Milestone: Media reach of 100 million views per year

August 30, 2011

Milestone: Media reach of 100 million views per year

Milestone: 50,000 students reached!

August 15, 2011

Milestone: 50,000 students reached!

Established The Harris Institute

July 15, 2011

Established The Harris Institute

The Harris Foundation’s International Dream Tour traveled to Nigeria, South Africa and Angola

January 12, 2011

The Harris Foundation’s International Dream Tour traveled to Nigeria, South Africa  and Angola

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation – Community Health Leaders Program

August 25, 2010

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation – Community Health Leaders Program

ExxonMobil Bernard Harris Math and Science Scholarship

February 15, 2010

ExxonMobil Bernard Harris Math and Science Scholarship

Creation and launch of the Educational Forum

November 10, 2008

Creation of the DREAM Tour (Daring to Reach Excellence for America’s Minds)

June 12, 2008

Creation of the DREAM Tour (Daring to Reach Excellence for America’s Minds)

Creation of the Harris Middle School Scholarship

October 1, 2007

Establishment of the ExxonMobil Bernard Harris Summer Science Camp

September 1, 2007

Establishment of the ExxonMobil Bernard Harris Summer Science Camp

Creation of the Bernard Harris Summer Science Camp

July 1, 2006

Creation of the Bernard Harris Summer Science Camp

Expansion of the Dare to Dream program in 10 schools

April 30, 2002

Expansion of the Dare to Dream program in 10 schools

First Bernard Harris Summer Science Camp

July 2, 1999

The Harris Foundation is created.

April 30, 1998

The Harris Foundation is created.


Financials




event

Events

05.06.2017


The Harris Foundation participated in the Bensonville Film Festival! With a nod to the film industry, we organized a “Hidden Figures Lunar Lander Challenge”. Dr. Tonya Jeffery (Director of Education, The Harris Foundation)  and Vernard Henley (University of Arkansas at Little Rock) conducted the workshop.

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