Igniting Equity in Education Annual Conference

Dr. Dia Bryant doesn’t make moves. She is a movement. “I’m not a maintenance leader--I’m a catalytic leader,” she says. “Bring me in if you want something new done.”

Bryant isn’t your typical educator strategist or policy builder. She’s a witness. Her story is a testament to the power of resilience determination and a bulletproof belief in the transformative power of education. A native Detroiter and Harvard Ed. L.D, she combines real-world know-how with academic accomplishments.

Historically Detroit has served as a multigenerational cultural economic and technological beacon for Black Americans. “Growing up my proximity to both poverty and privilege empowered me to speak many languages fluently--from the King’s English to the slang of the streets weave it all together,” says Dr. Bryant whose father is a musician and entrepreneur and her mother a product of generations of auto industry workers. Her parents not only instilled in her a work ethic as relentless as it is inspiring—but they also planted seeds of consciousness and curiosity that lead to her understanding of the importance of context.”

Today Dr. Bryant is a nationally recognized educational leader, a sought-after speaker, and a fierce advocate for equity and justice. She is also the co-founder of Context Matters, a strategy group specializing in developing solutions for problems plaguing public education and crystallizing the context surrounding each issue.

Her career trajectory is anything but traditional–a testament to her entrepreneurial spirit and her refusal to be confined by typical roles. “I help people solve problems” says Dr. Bryant. “I’m showing them their blind spots. From founding schools to advising political leaders, Dia’s impact is felt from the classroom to the Capitol.

Dia’s leadership style is a distinct combination of Detroit grit and Harvard polish. She’s a master at navigating complex systems, building coalitions, and driving change. Her secret weapon? A deep understanding of the human condition is honed through years of working with students, teachers, and communities facing insurmountable challenges.

Dr. Dia Bryant is a woman of many passions: from a devoted wife and mother to a card-carrying member of the BeyHive. “We are not watching her top herself,” Dr. Bryant says of Queen B. “Beyonce’s ability to constantly sieve off the most unique artists and collaborate to create something we've never seen before is genius. There's an artistry there that takes notes from people like Madonna, Diana Ross, Michael, and Sting who have transcended decades.”

Bryant is a voracious reader, a lover of travel, and a firm believer in the power of human connection. Her story is a reminder that education is not just about textbooks and test scores. It’s about empowering individuals to reach their full potential regardless of their zip code or their background. It’s about creating a world where everyone can thrive. “We must understand our value,” says Dr. Bryant. “Yes, I am grateful to be in my position but I also know I am valuable. If you aren't conscious, gratitude can operate as a tool of oppression.”

LaShawn Routé Chatmon is the founding Executive Director of the National Equity Project, leading the organization’s transition from the Bay Area Coalition for Equitable Schools (BayCES).  Under her leadership, the National Equity Project has catalyzed a movement to revitalize our country’s approach to racial equity in education. LaShawn previously served as a coach and director of BayCES’ high school redesign initiative, where her team pioneered new school design processes, principal network development and site coaching that transformed educational experiences and outcomes for teachers and students in Oakland, CA.

Prior to joining the National Equity Project, LaShawn served as a teacher and leader at Redwood Day School, Alameda, CA; The Wheeler School, Providence, RI; and Berkeley High School, Berkeley, CA. While at Berkeley High, she served as Co-Director for The Diversity Project with Dr. Pedro Noguera at the University of California at Berkeley. The Diversity Project is a school-university action research project designed to address the disparity in achievement between white students and students of color and to investigate the causes of racial separation.

LaShawn is a contributing author in the book Unfinished Business: Closing the Racial Achievement Gap in Schools and has presented at numerous education conferences and convenings across the country. She was a MetLife Teaching Fellow, a LeaderSpring ED Fellow, and a Pahara Fellow. LaShawn earned a B.A. in political science from University of California, Berkeley; a Masters of Arts in Teaching from Brown University; and an Administrative Credential from California State University, Sacramento’s Urban Leadership Program.