Harry Bonner achieved his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology from Oberlin College and his Master of Science Degree in Natural Resources from The University of Michigan. He started his professional teaching background in 1977 as a Social Studies Instructor in Liberia, West Africa teaching West African History and Geography to junior high and senior high school students.
After returning from Liberia, Harry worked with urban communities as an administrator for the YMCA and Clark County Parks and Recreation Department in the cities of Cincinnati, Ohio and Las Vegas, Nevada respectively. It was in Las Vegas, where he and his wife organized what is now known as the Debra Bonner Vocal Performance Academy. As the Managing Director, Harry handled creating all contracts, promotional and public relations materials, as well as overseeing all client issues. He also served as the director of hosting and as coordinator of all the co-venture projects. During his tenure, Debra Bonner Vocal Performance Academy presented vocal workshops and seminars in New York City, Los Angeles and Sacramento, California, Salt Lake City and Cedar City, Utah, Mesa and Phoenix, Arizona, just name a few. He personally hosted or interfaced with such vocal heavyweights as Richard Miller, Seth Riggs, Clayne Robinson, Robert Breaux and Betty Jean Chipman.
In the fall of 1998, Harry enrolled as a full time doctoral student at George Wythe College. In the winter term of 1999, he relocated to the Cedar City Campus of GWC. In 2000, he joined the adjunct faculty of George Wythe College and worked with the traveling staff, presenting seminars in "Teaching the Classics." Periodically, he was the guest instructor on Principles of the American Revolution, African American Poetry and Literature and Black History Month. During this period, Harry Bonner was an anchor for George Wythe College in public relations, representing the college on television, radio and in several key community events. In the spring of 2000, Harry joined Professor Andrew Groft and represented George Wythe College in an educational excursion to Kenya & Tanzania, East Africa. While there, he and Professor Groft presented Teachers In-Service Training Sessions to African Teachers.
During his residency in the state of Utah, 1996 to 2001, Harry served as a Certified Diversity Trainer, working closely with the Utah State Board of Education in presenting diversity training to educators throughout the state. During this same period, he contributed an active member of CMAC (Coalition of Minority Advisory Committee), regularly serving on the executive committee as an advisory committee to the Utah State Board of Education.
Currently, in addition to presenting to the student community and faculty of George Wythe College, Harry is the Guest Relations Manager of the New York Marriott Marquis on Times Square in New York, New York. In this capacity, he daily faces issues where he employs principles of statesmanship in behalf of the Marriott Corporation and as an advocate for guests, patrons and visitors of the New York Marriott Marquis.
Harry and his wife Debra currently live in Yonkers, NY.
