LIEUTENANT GENERAL (RET.) GWEN BINGHAM

Lieutenant General (Ret.) Gwen Bingham is a retired three-star United States Army General and a trailblazer in military leadership. A native of Troy, Alabama, graduated in 1981 as a Distinguished Military Graduate from the University of Alabama, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Commerce and Business Administration. She later earned master’s degrees in Administration from Central Michigan University and in National Security Strategy and Resources from the National Defense University.

Over the course of her 38-year military career, Lieutenant General Bingham held numerous leadership and command positions across the globe, including assignments in Honduras, Germany, Guantanamo Bay, Korea, Kuwait, and Afghanistan. She broke new ground as the first woman to serve in several key general officer roles, including the 51st Quartermaster General and Commandant of the U.S. Army Quartermaster School, Commanding General of White Sands Missile Range, and Commanding General of the Tank-automotive and Armaments Life Cycle Management Command. Her distinguished military service culminated with her final assignment at the Pentagon as the Army’s Assistant Chief of Staff for Installation Management. She retired in September 2019.

Since retiring from the Army, Lieutenant General Bingham has continued to serve through leadership roles in both corporate and nonprofit sectors. She currently sits on several public, private equity, and nonprofit boards as an Independent Director. She chairs the Governance and Nominating Committee on the Board of Owens & Minor, a Fortune 500 healthcare solutions company, and serves as Chair of the Board of Directors for Blue Star Families, a prominent nonprofit supporting military families.

She is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, and a life member of both the Association of the United States Army and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.

In recognition of her pioneering service and continued leadership, Lieutenant General Bingham has received numerous honors. She was named a 2024 “Changemaker” by the Military Officers Association of America and inducted into multiple prestigious Halls of Fame, including the 2023 U.S. Army ROTC Hall of Fame, 2023 Army Materiel Command Hall of Fame, 2022 Army Women’s Foundation Hall of Fame, and the 2022 Quartermaster Corps Hall of Fame. She was named a 2022 Distinguished Alumna by the University of Alabama, a 2021 “CNN Champion for Change,” and is a recipient of the 2018 Ellis Island Medal of Honor.

Lieutenant General Bingham resides in Texas, with her husband, Dr. Patrick J. Bingham. They have two children.

Sharron Stewart is a proud U.S. Army Veteran who currently serves as the Women Veterans Coordinator for South Texas at the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC). In this role, she is dedicated to educating women veterans about the state and federal benefits they have earned through their military service. She provides direct assistance to help them access those benefits and actively collaborates with federal, state, and local partners to expand support for the women veteran community.

Sharron began her service with TVC as a Claims Benefit Advisor, where she supported transitioning service members, veterans, and their eligible family members in applying for a wide range of U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs benefits. These included Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), burial benefits, survivors’ pensions, and other entitlements. Before joining the Texas Veterans Commission, she served as a Soldier for Life – Transition Assistance Counselor, helping service members prepare for life after the military.

Her work has been recognized at both the state and community level. In 2020, Sharron was awarded the Texas Veterans Commission’s Deborah Sampson Award for her exceptional service to the veteran community. In June 2024, she was named "Women Veterans Game Changer Mentor and Advocate of the Year" by Circle of Arms, a nonprofit organization focused on mental health advocacy.

Sharron served 11 years in the U.S. Army as an enlisted Soldier and award-winning photojournalist before retiring as a commissioned officer. Her notable military experiences include temporary duty assignments to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba (GTMO), serving as a company commander, completing the Bataan Death March three times, and working as a plans officer, where she helped coordinate critical missions, training exercises, and live-fire operations. For her distinguished service, she was awarded the Bronze Order of Mercury along with several other military honors. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English and a Master’s degree in Education, along with several professional certifications.

Outside of her professional endeavors, Sharron enjoys spending time with her family. She is an avid fan of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and enthusiastically supports the Army football team, especially during its historic rivalry games against Navy. 

Debra D. Seward is a devoted community advocate, spiritual leader, and proud alumna of Highlands High School whose life’s work reflects an unwavering commitment to education, cultural preservation, and public service. With over a decade of experience supporting students in special education at San Antonio ISD, Debra's early work laid the foundation for a lifetime of service rooted in compassion, equity, and empowerment.

Today, she serves as the Community Engagement Coordinator for the San Antonio African American Community Archive and Museum (SAAACAM), where her passion and leadership continue to make a profound impact. Debra leads with heart—connecting people to purpose as she fosters meaningful dialogue, builds lasting partnerships, and ensures the stories of San Antonio’s African American communities are collected, preserved, and celebrated.

A licensed minister since 2017, Debra also works closely with local Black churches to help document and share their church and family histories, ensuring these sacred legacies are woven into the broader narrative of the city. Her ministry and museum work are beautifully aligned, driven by a deep belief in honoring heritage through storytelling.

Beyond her role at SAAACAM, Debra remains deeply involved in civic life. Most recently, she was appointed March Chair for the 2024 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commission, where she continues to inspire and organize with clarity and compassion.

Debra Seward is a dynamic force for unity, remembrance, and progress—uplifting her community through faith, service, and an unshakable belief in the power of shared history.

DevSoul, led by the dynamic Devon Mathews, is a powerhouse band transforming the soul music experience in San Antonio and beyond. Recently named Best R&B Artist of 2024 by the SA Music Awards, DevSoul blends Soul, R&B, Jazz, and Hip-Hop into electrifying live performances that are as sultry as they are unforgettable.

For over 17 years, Devon—an accomplished actor, vocalist, voice actor, and producer—has been the heart of DevSoul. Under her leadership, the band has performed across Texas, opening for and singing background vocals alongside iconic artists including Jagged Edge, Dwele, Eric Roberson, Carl Thomas, Chico DeBarge, NEXT, Rome, and Brian Angel of Day26.

Her vocal versatility also shines on the jazz stage, having performed with artists like Kyle Turner, Althea René, Michael Ward, and Marion Meadows, and even stepping in as "Chaka Khan" for Tom Browne during a special performance of Funkin' for Jamaica.

A multi-talented stage performer, Devon has been featured in major productions including Dreamgirls, Chicago, RENT, and a Christmas musical starring David and Tamela Mann of Tyler Perry Productions. Her voice has also reached international audiences through her roles in The Color Purple Audio Experience and as Mama Odie in Allen and Gray’s reimagining of The Princess and the Frog.

DevSoul is more than a band—it’s a musical experience. Whether performing solo, as a trio, or with one of three rotating band lineups (including an all-woman band), DevSoul delivers passion, precision, and soul with every note.

In 2024, Devon made history curating the inaugural DreamStage Sunday show at the historic Pearl for MLK DreamWeek, and later performing at the Mayor’s Ball, becoming the first band to ever headline the prestigious event.

A proud daughter of an Air Force veteran, Devon devotes time each year to singing for veterans and military personnel, especially during the holidays. She also teaches private voice lessons, mentoring aspiring singers and actors to develop and refine their vocal talent.

DevSoul’s highly anticipated debut single, “Hot Coffee,” is out now on all major platforms. 

Kara Nichole Robinson is a soulful and inspiring voice in Gospel and Contemporary Christian Music (CCM), whose ministry through music uplifts hearts and unites communities in faith. A Billboard-charting artist, songwriter, certified life coach, and devoted mother, Kara brings authenticity and purpose to every stage she graces.

Over the years, she has had the honor of sharing the stage with Gospel greats such as Martha Munizzi, Donnie McClurkin, and Kirk Franklin a testament to both her talent and her impact within the faith-based music world.

Her musical journey began with her 2012 debut EP, Kara Nichole, featuring uplifting tracks like “Position Yourself” and “I Will Run.” She reached new heights in 2016 with Happy, released during SXSW’s Kingdom Experience, which featured the breakout single “Jesus,” earning her a spot on the Billboard Gospel charts.

Kara’s dynamic sound blends worship, R&B, reggae, and soul—offering a message of hope, healing, and divine purpose. Her 2017 project He’s Coming Back! and follow-up singles like “The Reason Why,” “Happy,” and “You Are the One” have continued to resonate deeply with listeners around the world.

With recent anthems like “God Is Great” (2022) and “My God Is for Me!” (2023), produced by award-winning producer Sean Keys, Kara’s music boldly declares faith with infectious joy and spirit-filled conviction.

Whether in song or in service, Kara Nichole is a radiant force for good sharing messages that empower, inspire, and remind us of the unwavering presence of God.