John D. O'Bryant facts for kids

John Donaldson O'Bryant (born July 15, 1931 – died July 3, 1992) was a very important person in Boston's history. He was the first African American to be chosen for Boston's School Committee in 1977. This committee helps make big decisions about schools. John O'Bryant spent most of his life working in education. He started as a teacher and later worked at Northeastern University until he passed away in 1992. He was born in Boston, Massachusetts. He also served in the United States Army before he became a teacher. Today, the John D. O'Bryant School of Mathematics & Science in Boston is named after him. Also, the John D. O'Bryant Center for African American Studies at Northeastern University carries his name.

John O'Bryant's Early Life and Schooling

John O'Bryant was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on July 15, 1931. His parents were David D. O'Bryant and Elsie (Donaldson) O'Bryant Joseph. He was the youngest of five children. His father died when John was young. His mother, Elsie, and stepfather, George E. Joseph, raised him.

John went to schools in Boston. He graduated from The English High School in 1948. After high school, he went to Boston University in Boston. There, he played basketball and was even the team captain. He earned a bachelor's degree in Education in 1952. He continued his studies and received a master's degree in health education in 1955. While studying for his master's, O'Bryant served in the United States Army from 1952 to 1954. In the Army, he worked as an instructor, teaching others.

John O'Bryant's Career in Education

After leaving the Army, John O'Bryant kept working in education. In 1955, he became a teacher for the Boston Public Schools. He also worked as a guidance counselor at Boston Technical High School until 1969. He really loved basketball and wanted to be a head coach in Boston schools. But, because of racial attitudes in the 1960s, he could not get that job.

In 1969, O'Bryant left his job as a guidance counselor. He became a director for the Health Vocational Training Program. This program was at the Dimock Community Health Center in Roxbury, Massachusetts. He led training programs for students in health-related fields. He helped students from all over Boston. He stayed in this role from 1969 to 1978.

In 1978, O'Bryant started working at Northeastern University. His first job there was Associate Dean of Administration. Soon after, in 1979, Kenneth G. Ryder, who was the president of Northeastern, made O'Bryant the Vice President of Student Affairs. They had met while working together on a city council. John O'Bryant worked hard to welcome more African American students to Northeastern University.

John O'Bryant and the Boston School Committee

In 1977, John O'Bryant made history. He became the first African American to be elected to the Boston School Committee in 75 years. This was a very important step for the city. While he was president of the school committee, he also led a national group. This group was called the Council of Urban School Boards of Education. It was part of the National School Boards Association.

Before he ran for the school committee, O'Bryant helped with political campaigns for Mel King in 1959 and 1961. King thought O'Bryant had great ideas. He suggested that O'Bryant should run for the committee himself. Even though King didn't win those elections, he helped open the door for another African American, John O'Bryant, to get a place on the committee.