James Bryant
Educator, Counselor, Musician & Community Leader
James Bryant, a native of Charlottesville, Virginia, is a lifelong educator, counselor, musician, and community leader. He earned a B.A. in Music Education (Voice) from Virginia Union University and a Master of Education from the University of Virginia. James began vocal study with Winifred Bogert and later performed with the Virginia Union University Concert and Touring Choirs and the African American Heritage Singers of Richmond, touring throughout the eastern United States. A respected soloist, he has appeared in First Night Virginia, the Ash Lawn-Highland series, and with the Oratorio Society of Charlottesville, and has performed roles in Highway One, USA and Amahl and the Night Visitors. At Mt. Zion First African Baptist Church, he serves faithfully as a Soloist, Servant Leader for the Otis and Rosa Lee Scholarship and Church Trustee.
A former Choral Music Teacher at Walker Upper Elementary School, James was named Teacher of the Year in 1998. His dedication to youth continued through work with Upward Bound, Community Attention, and the MACAA Summer Youth Works Program, earning the MACAA Teacher Award. He also mentored future educators through the African American Teaching Fellows program.
James retired in 2016 after serving as a Professional School Counselor at Charlottesville High School, where students consistently praised his compassion and guidance. After retirement, he worked as an Academic Coach at Piedmont Virginia Community College, served nearly six years on the Charlottesville School Board—including terms as Vice-Chair and Chair—and consulted with Teachers in the Movement at the University of Virginia. He also served as Central Regional Chair and Vice-Chair of the Virginia School Board Association. Across 48 years of service, James has been honored with the Alicia B. Lugo Award for Outstanding Community Service (2023), the Ebony Social Club Outstanding Community Service Award (2024), and the National Society of Leadership and Success Impact Leader Award (2024).
