Taylor Richardson

Taylor Denise Richardson, also known as Astronaut StarBright, is a remarkable young American advocate, activist, speaker, student, and philanthropist whose impact has resonated far beyond her years. Born on July 15, 2003, in Columbia, South Carolina, she quickly demonstrated a passion for science after reading Mae Jemison’s Find Where the Wind Goes in third grade, a moment she cites as the spark that set her on a path toward space exploration. At nine years old she attended Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama, and later joined The Mars Generation, openly stating her determination to visit Mars and become an astronaut. Richardson’s early commitment to community service manifested in 2015 when she organized “Take A Flight with a Book,” delivering books to elementary schools in Jacksonville, Florida, an effort that earned her the Hands On Jax Youth in Action Award. Her fundraising prowess exploded in 2016, when she raised $18,000 to send local girls to see Hidden Figures at the White House, subsequently creating a scholarship for a peer to attend Space Camp; the following year she expanded her reach, raising more than $50,000 to enable 1,000 students to view A Wrinkle in Time, and Oprah Winfrey’s match pushed the total impact to $100,000. These campaigns were driven by her conviction that representation matters, a theme she reiterated on Good Morning America. Richardson’s growing influence earned her invitations to high‑profile events, including a meeting with astronaut Mae Jemison at Clark Atlanta University’s graduation and participation in the 2016 White House United State of Women Summit. Media outlets such as Teen Vogue, Glamour, Mashable, and The Root have highlighted her as a “21 under 21” talent, a Young Futurist, and the “coolest 14‑year‑old” in America. Beyond fundraising, she has served as a keynote speaker at Silicon Republic’s Inspire Fest, appeared as a “#RealLifePowerpuff” girl for Hulu, and been featured on the cover of Girls in Aviation Day, solidifying her role as a visible role model for the next generation of scientists and explorers.