The Education Trust–New York names Dia Bryant as interim executive director

Jan 22, 2021 | Press Release

Bryant will lead an ambitious policy and advocacy agenda focused on educational equity and improving opportunities for all students

NEW YORK – The Education Trust–New York is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Dia Bryant as its interim executive director, a position in which she will lead the organization’s ambitious policy and advocacy agenda focused on educational equity for all New York students.

She replaces Ian Rosenblum, Ed Trust–NY’s founding executive director, who is leaving the organization to take a position as deputy assistant secretary for policy and programs in the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (serving as acting assistant secretary) at the U.S. Department of Education.

Bryant takes the helm of the organization at a critical moment for education in New York State, as the pandemic continues to exacerbate inequities that have long persisted in our school system and the national reckoning with systemic racism highlights the critical need to ensure more equitable opportunities for all students.

“This is a pivotal moment for New York State and our nation, and a moment in which we must act with the greatest urgency to ensure that all students and communities have the educational opportunities they deserve and that will put them on the path to their desired future,” Bryant said. “I am honored to lead and serve alongside the many passionate educators, advocates, and policymakers across New York who are dedicated to improving opportunities for students who have historically been underserved by our school system.”

“I am very excited about the equity-focused leadership Ian will provide at the U.S. Department of Education as deputy assistant secretary for policy and programs in the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education,” said John B. King Jr., president and chief executive officer of The Education Trust. “We are fortunate to have Dr. Bryant step into this role as Ed Trust–NY’s new interim executive director. Dr. Bryant brings a deep commitment to advancing education equity; experience at the classroom, school leader, and district levels; and insights from her work on change management and equitable school improvement initiatives domestically and internationally. I look forward to watching Ed Trust–NY grow under her leadership.”

Bryant previously served as Ed Trust–NY’s deputy director and chief partnerships officer, a role in which she worked with partners throughout New York to address issues of equity in early childhood, K-12, and postsecondary education.

Prior to joining Ed Trust–NY, Dia worked with the New York City Department of Education in multiple capacities for over 16 years. She was a teacher, school founder, and served as the special assistant to the first deputy chancellor. She has worked and supported system-level school leaders domestically and internationally advising on strategic direction, instructional approaches, school design, equitable school improvement, and change management.

Bryant is a Detroit native. She holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Kalamazoo College, a master’s in math education from Brooklyn College, and doctorate in education leadership from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

“I am thrilled to work with Dr. Bryant as she takes on this new role driving an ambitious advocacy agenda on behalf of our children,” said Arva Rice, president and chief executive officer of the New York Urban League. “Dr. Bryant understands the great urgency of this work, and what is at stake for our children, our families, and our communities. I am confident that Dr. Bryant’s leadership during this time will lead to better outcomes for all students. I am particularly pleased to have a Black woman in this role at this historic time in our state and nation.”

“Dr. Bryant’s relentless commitment to improving educational opportunities for all children has been evident through her tireless work in partnership with parents, educators, and advocates across the state,” said Samuel L. Radford III, past president of the District-Parent Coordinating Council of Buffalo and co-chairperson of We the Parents. “I am excited to work with her as she takes on this new role leading an organization that has become so critical to advancing educational outcomes and improving access to opportunities for all children.”