Benjamin Bryant (broadcaster) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Benjamin Bryant
Born	(1977-01-13) January 13, 1977 (age 48) Nuremberg, West Germany
Nationality	American
Citizenship	American
Education	University of the Incarnate Word (MS, MA) Excelsior University (BS) University of Texas at Austin
Occupation	writer, filmmaker
Years active	1996–present
Organization	Bryant Zamberlan Group BZ/MP United States Coast Guard Auxiliary
Notable work	Fort Hood Shooting Task Force Report Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Report
Parent(s)	Albert Bryant, Jr. (father)
Relatives	Lori Bryant-Woolridge

Benjamin Bryant (born January 13, 1977) is an American writer, filmmaker, and TV host. He was born in Germany. He has been nominated for an Emmy Award for his work.

Benjamin Bryant often works for the government. He has also worked as an artist and actor. In 2021, he helped people from Afghanistan get to safety during a difficult time. He also spoke for a group called "Digital Dunkirk" that helped with these efforts.

Bryant produced a special TV show called "Welcome Home! Honoring Your Legacy." This show honored Vietnam veterans and was nominated for a 2024 Capital Emmy Award. He also wrote and directed the movie Station to Station and the comedy show "Aidy Kane (Really Wants You to Love Him)." He helped produce the drama Anacostia and hosts his own show, “The Brink with Benjamin Bryant.” As an actor, he plays "Gregory Marshall" in the show Forever and a Day, and he even won an Indie Series Award for it in 2022.

Bryant has worked on important government projects. These include helping with reports after the Fort Hood Shooting and working on changes to military rules. His notes and recordings from his work are kept at the University of Texas at Austin so people can learn from them. In 2024, Benjamin Bryant received the Office of the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Public Service. This is a high honor for people who are not career military.

Early Life and Education

Benjamin Bryant was born in Nuremberg, Germany. His parents were Americans serving in the military. His father is Brigadier General Albert Bryant Jr.. His aunt is the writer Lori Bryant-Woolridge.

Bryant finished high school at Giessen American High School in Germany in 1994. He then started studying at the University of Texas at Austin. He studied journalism and communication there from 1994 to 1998. He later earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Excelsior University in New York.

In 2015, Bryant earned two master's degrees from the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas. He earned a Master of Science in Organizational Development and Leadership. He also earned a Master of Arts in Applied Administration.

Career Highlights

Benjamin Bryant started his career in 1996 as a radio news intern in Austin. He was working at radio station KKMJ when the Atlanta Olympic Bombing happened. His quick reporting led to him getting a regular job on the radio. He also became the Program Director for another station, KJCE.

Later, Bryant worked as a freelance journalist and writer. He then focused on public relations and helping organizations during tough times. He wrote for magazines like Deepwater News. In 2017, he returned to broadcasting as the host of "The BZCast" podcast. In 2018, he started "The Brink with Benjamin Bryant," where he interviews important people in Washington D.C..

From 2005 to 2009, Bryant worked as a speechwriter for military leaders. He also advised on communications for government officials during the George W. Bush administration.

Important Government Projects

Since 2009, Bryant has mostly worked on big government projects and commissions. In 2009, he joined the Pentagon's Fort Hood Shooting Task Force. He also served as the main editor for the Pentagon's "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” Repeal Working Group. This group worked on changing military rules.

He also helped the City of Virginia Beach with their Pandemic Influenza Program. He was a senior leader for the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission. During this time, he appeared on America Tonight to talk about military issues. In 2011, his notes from the Fort Hood and "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" projects were given to the Smithsonian Institution and the University of Texas at Austin.

In 2010, Bryant co-founded the Bryant Zamberlan Group. This company works on global communications, organizational development, and TV/film production.

In 2022, Bryant returned to government work. He became Chief of Staff for The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration. This group planned a big event in May 2023 to honor Vietnam War veterans. He helped plan and produce a concert on the National Mall with military performers and famous guests. President Joe Biden and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin also spoke at the event. After this project, Bryant continued to advise the commemoration's director.

Task Forces and Commissions

Helping Others and Volunteer Work

In 2021, Benjamin Bryant helped with the emergency evacuation of Afghan allies and their families. This happened during the time American troops left Afghanistan. He was also a planner and spokesperson for the "Digital Dunkirk" group. This group included former and current military and government people who helped coordinate these evacuations.

In 2024, Bryant volunteered to help plan and host the Department of Defense's "Bring Your Child to Work Day" concert at the Pentagon. He worked with many groups, including the Walt Disney Corporation. They put on an all-day event for over 9,000 military families.

Since 2012, Bryant has also volunteered with the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary.

Film, Television, and Radio Work

Bryant started producing TV shows and films in 2016. He first joined the digital series Anacostia as a supervising producer. He later became a co-executive producer for the show. Sometimes, he also acted in the series as a news anchor named "James Vance."

In 2019, Bryant's company, Bryant Zamberlan Group, worked with Gemelli Films. They produced three holiday movies: Ivy & Mistletoe, The Maltese Holiday, and Magic in Mount Holly. Bryant was also an associate producer on the movie Joy & Hope.

In 2020, Bryant started making the comedy show Aidy Kane. Filming stopped because of the coronavirus pandemic. He later used the footage to create the show "Aidy Kane (Really Wants You to Love Him)," which was nominated for four ISA awards. That same year, Bryant began playing "Gregory Marshall" in the drama series Forever and a Day.

Bryant has also appeared in several audio productions. These include audio dramas like Birthday Blues and Selling the Act. He played "Nolan," the Nutcracker Prince, in a podcast special. He also joined the audio series "Heritage" in 2023.

Station to Station Film

During the 2020 coronavirus lockdown, Bryant wrote the movie Station to Station. He directed the film in September, keeping everyone safe by creating a "bubble" for the cast and crew. In 2021, the film started showing at festivals. This was Bryant's first time as a feature film writer and director.

Critics praised the film, calling it "compelling" and "deeply satisfying." They compared Bryant's work to famous directors like Paul Thomas Anderson and Richard Linklater. Station to Station won "Best Narrative Feature," "Best Actor," and "Best Ensemble" at the IndieEye Film Awards in June 2021. It also received honors from IndieFEST and FILMHAUS Berlin. Bryant was nominated for "first-time director" and "original concept" by FILMHAUS.

In October 2021, Station to Station was chosen as the opening night film for the Las Vegas International Film and Screenwriting Festival. It was nominated for eight awards and won two. The audience also chose it for the 2021 "Audience Award." The film was released in the United States on January 8, 2022.

Awards and Honors

Benjamin Bryant has received many important nominations and awards throughout his career. These include a Capital Emmy Award nomination and the Office of the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Public Service. The Pentagon gives this medal to non-military people for outstanding public service.

In December 1996, the Austin American-Statesman newspaper named Bryant one of the year's "most memorable" people. This was after his impressive radio reporting debut during the 1996 Olympic bombing.

In 2022, he received six nominations for the 12th Annual Indie Series Awards. This was the second-highest number of nominations for any individual that year. He was nominated for "Best Comedy Series" and "Best Supporting Actor" for "Aidy Kane (Really Wants You to Love Him)." He was also nominated for "Best Actor - Audio Fiction" for his role in "Forever and a Day." On April 9, 2022, Bryant and his "Forever and a Day" castmates won the "Best Ensemble - Audio Fiction" award.

In May 2024, Bryant was nominated for a Capital Emmy Award. This was for his work on "Welcome Home! Honoring Your Legacy," the TV special about the 2023 Vietnam Veterans tribute event. In December 2024, he received three Central Virginia Broadway World Award nominations for his acting in theatre.

Bryant has also received many other awards from his peers and the industry. These include a 2010 Platinum MarCom Award for his work on the Fort Hood Task Force report. He also received a 2012 Davey Award for his appearances on "America Tonight." His show "The Brink with Benjamin Bryant" won a 2019 Communicator Award. He has also received awards for his podcast "The Brink with Benjamin Bryant: INTERSECTIONS." As a member of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, he has received awards from the United States Coast Guard and the Department of Homeland Security.

Government and Military Medals and Awards

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  Office of the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Public Service
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  Department of Homeland Security Outstanding Unit Award
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  Coast Guard Unit Commendation

Filmography

Film

Television and Streaming

Radio and Podcasts

Theatre and Live Events