Catalyzing a Statewide Movement for Early College Access

In 2025, Dr. Dia Bryant continued to lead the strategic design and launch of the New York Alliance for Early College Pathways (NY4ECP)—a bold, statewide initiative committed to expanding access to early college programs for historically underserved students. Through a powerful blend of coalition-building, fundraising, and policy strategy, she helped secure over $800,000 in philanthropic funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, The Petrie Foundation, and The Carnegie Corporation of New York to support the formation of the Alliance.

In collaboration with Josh Thomasses (IPSquared), Chris Gabrielli and Empower Schools, and anchor partners including Bard College, The Education Trust–New York, UAspire, and the Urban League of New York, the Alliance played a central role in shaping the legislative conversation around early college. These efforts culminated in a landmark win: $9 million in the New York State budget dedicated to early college expansion through the Early College Opportunity Fund. The result is a growing network of K–12, higher education, and community partners aligned around a shared vision of equitable college and career pathways for all New York students.

Coherence. Courage. Community. The Future of Math Leadership.

In 2025, Dr. Dia Bryant played a central role in shaping and scaling the National Math Improvement Project (NMIP)—a national community of practice focused on dramatically improving mathematics outcomes for historically underserved students. Powered by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, incubated by Whiteboard Advisors, and designed in partnership with Pete Gorman & Associates, the project brings together district leaders, researchers, and technical assistance providers to drive system-level change.

NMIP supports participating districts through a combination of behavior-first implementation coaching, leadership development, and high-leverage learning experiences. Under Dr. Bryant’s guidance, the project emphasized not just what districts adopt—but how they lead, implement, and sustain high-quality math instruction.

The impact is clear: districts in the network have begun to see measurable gains on state math assessments and the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), along with deeper instructional coherence, stronger leadership alignment, and a tangible shift in adult beliefs about what students are capable of in mathematics.

To share learning with the field, the project has published a robust suite of resources—including case studies, implementation briefs, and district profiles—all available on the NMIP website. These artifacts highlight the real-world moves that lead to change and the mindsets that sustain it.

More than a technical solution, NMIP is a model for collective, equity-centered improvement—proving what’s possible when systems are aligned, adults are supported, and every student is seen as mathematically brilliant.

Building coherence, not just capacity.

In 2025, Dr. Dia Bryant is leading a comprehensive, multi-phase leadership development and change management initiative at Legends Charter School in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Designed to support a rapidly growing school community, the work focused on strengthening the leadership pipeline, clarifying roles, and building coherence across a complex, multi-tiered organization.

Through a combination of Leadership 360 assessments, immersive team retreats, and targeted coaching, Dr. Bryant and her team supported nine leaders—from senior executives to emerging managers—in developing more aligned, sustainable, and systemic leadership practices. The work emphasized adaptive leadership, healthy conflict, distributed decision-making, and reimagined accountability structures.

Together, the team rebuilt the internal mechanics of how leadership functions across the school. Meetings were redesigned for clarity and follow-through, communication flows were streamlined, and decision-making protocols were realigned to reflect the organization’s evolving scale. Leaders learned to manage up, across, and within their teams with greater confidence and coherence—creating a culture of shared ownership and mutual accountability.

What makes this engagement distinct is its scale and depth. Rather than focusing on individuals in isolation, the project treated leadership as an interdependent system. By aligning routines, reinforcing norms, and naming what was previously unspoken, the team began to operate with more purpose, trust, and impact.

This work continues to offer powerful insights into how charter networks can build internal leadership capacity—not just to grow, but to grow well.

Dr. Dia Bryant's dedication to bridging gaps in education and social equity.

Dr. Dia Bryant's career is marked by her dedication to bridging gaps in education and social equity. A significant highlight of her journey is her feature in Forbes, where she is celebrated for her work in uniting her experiences of poverty and privilege to drive meaningful change. Bryant's story is not only a testament to her resilience but also underscores her commitment to social justice and educational reform.

In the Forbes article, Bryant discusses how her background influenced her path and fueled her passion for creating opportunities for underprivileged communities. She speaks candidly about the challenges she faced and how these experiences shaped her approach to leadership and advocacy. Her work focuses on creating inclusive educational environments and promoting equitable access to resources, aiming to dismantle systemic barriers that hinder progress for marginalized groups.

Dr. Bryant’s personal connection to systemic injustices amplifies her drive to fight for social justice. Bryant's thought leadership is not just professional but deeply personal, motivated by the desire to ensure that no other family endures the traumas associated with poverty.

Her recognition in prominent publications like Forbes highlights her impactful work and serves as an inspiration for others to join the fight for a more just and equitable society

This feature marks a significant milestone in her career, showcasing her leadership and unwavering commitment to transforming educational landscapes and promoting social justice.

Dia Bryant's recognition as a power player in education by City and State and AMNY.

This recognition stands as a remarkable highlight in her career. This accolade is a testament to her influential role and significant contributions to the educational landscape throughout New York.

As an honoree by City and State, a respected publication known for its comprehensive coverage of New York's politics and policy, Bryant was acknowledged among the elite leaders shaping education policy and practice. This recognition celebrates her strategic vision, advocacy, and the impactful initiatives she led to improve educational outcomes for students across the city.

Being featured by AMNY, a widely-read daily newspaper, further underscores her prominence and effectiveness as a leader in education. AMNY's acknowledgment reflects her success in implementing programs and policies that have garnered public attention and commendation, highlighting her dedication to addressing the challenges faced by New York's education system.

Bryant's ability to bridge the gap between policy and practice, her advocacy for equitable education, and her innovative approaches to improving school environments have been pivotal in earning these honors. These recognitions not only celebrate her past achievements but also position her as a continuing force in the ongoing efforts to enhance education in New York City.

Dia Bryant's appointment to the Child Poverty Advisory Council in New York

In 2022, Dia Bryant's appointment to the Child Poverty Advisory Council in New York by Speaker Carl Heastie marked a significant milestone in her career, epitomizing her exceptional leadership and coalition-building prowess. This council, born out of Dr. Bryant's instrumental work leading the Raising New York coalition and the Robin Hood Foundation, reflects her unwavering commitment to tackling child poverty. Her efforts have been pivotal in shaping strategies and policies aimed at reducing child poverty by 50% over the next decade. This appointment not only highlights her impact on creating sustainable, long-term solutions for poverty alleviation but also cements her legacy as a transformative leader dedicated to fostering equity and social justice for New York's children and families.