Dionté Bryant, Business Operations Specialist for the Red Cross, embodies the collaborative spirit of Red Cross mission delivery. From family values to disaster response, his journey reflects a dedication to service and a commitment to making a lasting impact. Photo by Lorenzo Sisti/American Red Cross.
By Anel Laj/American Red Cross
During Black History Month, the American Red Cross commemorates the Black American trailblazers whose outstanding achievements and vibrant legacies continue to shape our humanitarian mission. We also honor the heroes in our midst today, who carry on the collaborative spirit of excellence in Red Cross mission delivery. Among our team of extraordinary superstars is Dionté Bryant, Business Operations Specialist for the Red Cross Long Beach and South Bay Chapter.
Providing service to others in need became a calling for Bryant at an early age. Being the eldest and coming from a family where his mother served in the navy and his father in the army, Bryant learned the values of family, responsibility, community, and a good work ethic early. Caring for his younger siblings, changing diapers, working the fields, picking pecans by the pound, or bailing hay, Bryant held an inherent sense of leadership and motivation, which eventually led him to the Red Cross.
A first-generation college graduate, Bryant started his career in service as a reserve fire inspector for the City of Chino Valley, CA. Bryant followed that by working for the Department of Interior in Washington D.C., where he discovered the AmeriCorps Vista Program with the National Red Cross. This experience allowed him to engage with youth and individuals who were going through a transition period in their careers, or life. Anytime Bryant came across an opportunity to work with inspirational individuals he took it and learned to give back.
“I want to be able to show people that you don’t have to go to the military to serve your country,” said Bryant. “There are so many other ways; AmeriCorps, Peace Corp, pathways programs. I mean for me it was inherent, I wanted to serve simply because my parents served.”
Recognizing our community heroes during Black History Month, Bryant's giant heart and personal journey exemplify his dedication to others and the Red Cross mission. Photo by Lorenzo Sisti.
Family became a motivator for success, so Bryant felt a strong connection to keep striving, in addition to helping others. Although Bryant has an extensive fire safety background with a degree in fire science, a certification in fire prevention, experience as a fire inspector with posts in Chino Valley and Long Beach, and disaster workforce engagement, he wanted to explore the operations department and contribute in a different way. Working within the operations department allows Bryant to be behind the scene, yet touch every line of service within the Red Cross, including communications, disaster cycle services, facilities, trainings, or managing programs and events.
With the operations department involved in so many different aspects of the Red Cross, Bryant finds himself learning and improving his own skillset, while simultaneously making an impact. The Red Cross gave him an opportunity to explore all avenues including one of his favorites, the Pillowcase Project, a program where children learn how to prepare for emergencies, practice what they learned, and share it with their family, so if an emergency arises, family members will know what to do.
“As you gain experience, it’s your job to utilize that experience to the best of your abilities,” said Bryant.
In addition to helping spread awareness of prevention services to children, Bryant feels that taking part in the Sound the Alarm campaigns produce a lasting impact on families. It’s one of the projects that Bryant gravitates toward, as he feels that installing smoke detectors creates an immediate impact as a first line of defense when it comes to fire.
Outside these experiences, Bryant marks the chance to deploy and support people in their time of highest need as a great opportunity to serve communities and be an example to his family. Bryant partly credits his three kids for his continuous drive to take his skillset to disaster relief areas and provide value and support to communities, such as in Ridgecrest post-earthquake, and in Florida after the hurricanes.
Bryant highlights the essence of service: showing up with genuine intent to support others. His belief in utilizing individual skillsets for the greater good resonates with the ethos of the Red Cross. Bryant's dedication underscores the organization's unparalleled commitment to providing opportunities for impactful service. Photo by Mimi Teller/American Red Cross.
“I think that when you talk about service, the first part is showing up,” said Bryant. “Showing up for others who you do not know; you don’t have any responsibilities to those individuals, but showing up because you want to help support and get them what they need, I think that’s amazing! And the fact that [the Red Cross] provides employees and volunteers with that opportunity, to me, I would say that’s top notch."
Bryant's philosphy is that everyone should serve in whatever capacity they can. If someone has a skillset — whether it’s in safety or hospitality, they should utilize their skills to help and support people in need. In other words, be like Dionté Bryant.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members, and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org/la.
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