Jersey City Mayor James Solomon has selected Dr. Dia Bryant, the former executive director of The Education Trust–New York as the deputy mayor for education.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“Every child in Jersey City deserves a bright future, and that starts with schools that work for our kids,” Solomon said in a statement.
“Dr. Bryant has spent her career fighting for students who have been underserved by public systems. She knows what it takes to turn policy into results in the classroom. I’m proud to have her leading this work for Jersey City.”
As deputy mayor for education, Bryant will lead the administration’s efforts to add 1,000 summer jobs for Jersey City students, expand after-school and summer enrichment opportunities for students at every grade level, and coordinate city services to cut chronic absenteeism to pre-pandemic levels by the end of the mayor’s first term.
“Public education is the foundation of democracy and holds the promise of our future, and Jersey City has an opportunity to show what’s possible when an entire city commits to its young people,” Bryant, also a West Orange Board of Education trustee, added.
“I’m honored to join Mayor Solomon’s administration and work alongside educators, families, and community partners to make sure every student in this city has the support they need to succeed.”
Bryant played a key role in establishing the New York Alliance for Early College Pathways and securing a $64.58 million Early College Opportunity Fund in the state’s 2025 budget.
Previously, she served as special assistant to the First Deputy Chancellor of the New York City Department of Education under Chancellor Richard Carranza, where she helped design system-wide strategies focused on equity, leadership development, and instructional improvement across the nation’s largest school district.
She began her career as a teacher in Brooklyn, teaching mathematics, and later founded and led a public school.
Bryant also holds a Doctor of Education Leadership (Ed.L.D.) and is a first-generation college graduate. She currently co-leads the National Math Improvement Project, supporting major urban districts in strengthening mathematics instruction at scale.
On the campaign trial back in August, Solomon called for a deputy mayor for education to help improve the public schools and he named Keshav Poddar as the deputy mayor for housing and economic development earlier this month, both as HCV first reported.
